Genesis 32:3

_AND JACOB SENT MESSENGERS BEFORE HIM TO ESAU HIS BROTHER UNTO THE LAND OF SEIR, THE COUNTRY OF EDOM._ Sent messengers - i:e., had sent. It was a prudent precaution to ascertain the present temper of Esau, as the road, on approaching the eastern confines of Canaan, lay near the wild district where his brother was now established. THE LAND OF SEIR - a highland country on the east and south of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Horites, who were dispossessed by Esau, or his posterity (Deuteronomy 11:12). When, and in what circumstances he had emigrated there-whether the separation arose out of the undutiful conduct and idolatrous habits of his wives, which had made them unwelcome inmates in the tent of his parents, or whether his roving disposition had sought a country, from his love of adventure and the chase, he was living in a state of power and affluen

3._And Jacob sent messengers_. It now happened, by the providence of God, that Esau, having left his father, had gone to Mount Seir of his own accord; and had thus departed from the land of promise, by which means the possession of it would remain void for the posterity of Jacob, without slaughter among brethren. For it was not to be believed that he had changed his habitation, either because he was compelled by his father’s command, or because he was willing to be accounted inferior to his brother. I rather conjecture that he had become greatly enriched, and that this induced him to leave his father’s house. For we know that profane persons and men of this world so vehemently pant for present advantages, that when anything offers itself in accordance with their desire, they are hurried towards it with a brutish impetuosity. Esau was imperious and ferocious; he was incensed against his m...

1-8 The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, to whom the promise belonged, had been in hard service, Esau was become a prince. Jacob sent a message, showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right. Yielding pacifies great offences, Ecclesiastes 10:4. We must not refuse to speak respectfully, even to those unjustly angry with us. Jacob received an account of Esau's warlike preparations against him, and was greatly afraid. A lively sense of danger, and quickening fear arising from it, may be found united with humble confidence in God's power and promise....

Verse Genesis 32:3. _JACOB SENT MESSENGERS_] מלאכים _malachim_, the same word which is before translated _angels_. It is very likely that these messengers had been sent some time before he had this vision at Mahanaim, for they appear to have returned while Jacob encamped at the brook Jabbok, where he had the vision of angels; see Genesis 32:6; Genesis 32:23. _THE LAND OF SEIR, THE COUNTRY OF EDOM._] This land, which was, according to Dr. Wells, situated on the south of the Dead Sea, extending from thence to the Arabian Gulf, 1 Kings 9:26, was formerly possessed by the _Horites_,...

- Jacob Wrestles in Prayer 3. מחנים _machănāyı̂m_, Machanaim, “two camps.” 22. יבק _yaboq_, Jabboq; related: בקק _bāqaq_ “gush or gurgle out” or אבק _'ābaq_ in niphal, “wrestle.” Now Wady Zurka. 29. ישׂראל _yı̂śrā'ēl_, Jisrael, “prince of God.” 31. פניאל _p__e__nı̂y'ēl_ = פנוּאל _penû'ēl_, Peniel, Penuel, “face of God.” After twenty years spent in Aram, Jacob now returns to Kenann. As his departure was marked by a great moment in his spi

EXPOSITION GENESIS 32:1 AND JACOB (after Laban's departure) WENT ON HIS WAY (from Galeed and Mizpah, in a southerly direction towards the Jabbok), AND THE ANGELS OF GOD—literally, _the messengers of _Elohim, not chance travelers who informed him of Esau's being in the vicinity (Abarbanel), but angels (cf. Psalms 104:4)—MET HIM. Not necessarily came in an opposite direction, _fuerunt ei obviam _(Vulgate), but simply fell in with him, lighted on him as in Genesis 28:11, συνήντησαν αὐτῶ (LXX.), forgathered with him (Scottish); but whether this was in a waking vision (Kurtz, Keil, Inglis)

AND JACOB SENT MESSENGERS BEFORE HIM UNTO ESAU HIS BROTHER,.... Or "angels": not angels simply, as Jarchi, for these were not under the command, and in the power of Jacob to send, nor would they have needed any instruction from him afterwards given, but these were some of his own servants. Esau it seems was removed from his father's house, and was possessed of a country after mentioned, called from his name; and which Aben Ezra says lay between Haran and the land of Israel; but if it did not directly lie in the road of Jacob, yet, as it was near him, he did not choose to pass by without seeing his brother; and therefore sent messengers to inform him of his coming, and by whom he might learn in what temper and disposition of mind he was towards him: UNTO THE LAND OF SEIR, THE COUNTRY OF EDOM: which had its first name from Seir the Horite; and Esau having married into his family, came int...

Genesis 32:1. _And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him._ When he left the promised land, he had a vision of angels, ascending and descending upon the ladder, as if to bid him farewell. Now that he is going back, the angels are there again to speed him on his way home to the land of the covenant, the land which the Lord had promised to give to Abraham and his seed. Genesis 32:2. _And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim._ The marginal reading is «Two hosts, or, camps.» The angels of the Lord were encamping round about the man who feared him, though shore had been much in his character and conduct which the Lord could not approve....

EDOM That is, Esau's country. (Genesis 25:30). (_ See Scofield) - (Genesis 36:1). _...

CHAPTER 32 JACOB'S FEAR OF ESAU AND PRAYER AT PENIEL _ 1. The vision at Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1)_ 2. The message to Esau (Genesis 32:3) 3. Esau's coming and Jacob's fear (Genesis 32:6) 4. Jacob's prayer (Genesis 32:9) 5. Preparing to meet Esau (Genesis 32:13) 6. Jacob's prayer at Peniel (Genesis 32:24) What a welcome it was when he came near to his land, that the angels of God met him. They were like divine amb