TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
He took them and sent them across the stream, then sent his possessions across;
Berean Standard Bible
He took them and sent them across the stream, along with all his possessions.
American Standard Version
And he took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had.
World English Bible Messianic
He took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had.
Young's Literal Translation
and he taketh them, and causeth them to pass over the brook, and he causeth that which he hath to pass over.
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In the KJVVerse 952 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 32 verses 13–23
13 ¶ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
18 Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.
20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
Jacob, having piously made God his friend by a prayer, is here prudently endeavouring to make Esau his friend by a present. He had prayed to God to deliver him from the had of Esau, for he feared him; but neither did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits for the use of means, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. Note, When we have prayed to God for any mercy, we must second our prayers with our endeavours; else, instead of trusting god, we tempt him; we must so depend upon God's providence as to make use of our own prudence. "Help thyself, and God will help thee;" God answers our prayers by teaching us to order our affairs with discretion. To pacify Esau,
I. Jacob sent him a very noble present, not of jewels or fine garments (he had them not), but of cattle, to the number of 580 in all, Gen 32:13-15. Now, 1. It was an evidence of the great increase with which God had blessed Jacob that he could spare such a number of cattle out of his stock. 2. It was an evidence of his wisdom that he would willingly part with some, to secure the rest; some men's covetousness loses them more than ever it gained them, and, by grudging a little damage; skin for skin, and all that a man has, if he be a wise man, he will give for his life. 3. It was a present that he thought would be acceptable to Esau, who had traded so much in hunting wild beasts that perhaps he was but ill furnished with tame cattle with which to stock his new conquests. And we may suppose that the mixed colours of Jacob's cattle, ring-straked, speckled, and spotted, would please Esau's fancy. 4. He promised himself that by this present he should gain Esau's favour; for a gift commonly prospers, which way soever it turns (Pro 17:8), and makes room for a man (Pro 18:16); nay, it pacifies anger and strong wrath, Pro 21:14. Note, [1.] We must not despair of reconciling ourselves even to those that have been most exasperated against us; we ought not to judge men unappeasable, till we have tried to appease them. [2.] Peace and love, though purchased dearly, will prove a good bargain to the purchaser. Many a morose ill-natured man would have said, in Jacob's case, "Esau has vowed my death without cause, and he shall never be a farthing the better for me; I will see him far enough before I will send him a present:" but Jacob forgives and forgets.
II. He sent him a very humble message, which he ordered his servants to deliver in the best manner, Gen 32:17, Gen 32:18. They must call Esau their lord, and Jacob his servant; they must tell him the cattle they had was a small present which Jacob had sent him, as a specimen of his acquisitions while he was abroad. The cattle he sent were to be disposed of in several droves, and the servants that attended each drove were to deliver the same message, that the present might appear the more valuable, and his submission, so often repeated, might be the more likely to influence Esau. They must especially take care to tell him that Jacob was coming after (Gen 32:18-20), that he might not suspect he had fled through fear. Note, A friendly confidence in men's goodness may help to prevent the mischief designed us by their badness: if Jacob will seem not to be afraid of Esau, Esau, it may be hoped, will not be a terror to Jacob.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–23. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 32:23 recounts Jacob's decisive action of strategically sending his entire family, servants, and all his possessions across the Jabbok brook, intentionally isolating himself on the opposite bank. This deliberate maneuver served as a final, critical preparation for a daunting and uncertain encounter, setting the stage for the profound spiritual wrestling match that immediately followed and underscoring his complete vulnerability before God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 32:23 meticulously describes Jacob's methodical and complete separation from his extensive household and all his accumulated wealth. The verse details a strategic and deliberate act designed to place him in a unique position of isolation and vulnerability before a pivotal encounter.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 32:23 is rich in literary technique, primarily employing Foreshadowing, Symbolism, and Juxtaposition. The act of Jacob sending his entire household and possessions across the Jabbok brook serves as powerful Foreshadowing for the intense, solitary struggle that is about to unfold in Genesis 32:24. This physical separation dramatically sets the stage for a spiritual encounter, signaling that something profound and personal is imminent. The Jabbok itself functions as potent Symbolism, representing a threshold or a liminal space—a boundary between Jacob's past and an uncertain future, between human reliance and divine encounter. His deliberate act of remaining alone on one side, while everything he holds dear crosses to the other, symbolizes a stripping away of all external supports, forcing him into a state of utter vulnerability. This creates a stark Juxtaposition between Jacob's prior meticulous, human-centric preparations (sending gifts, dividing camps) and his ultimate, divinely ordained isolation, highlighting the shift from human strategy to divine confrontation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's deliberate act of isolating himself at the Jabbok is a profound theological statement, demonstrating that moments of deep spiritual encounter often necessitate a stripping away of all human and material supports. This vulnerability is not a weakness but a necessary condition for true dependence on God and for receiving divine revelation and transformation. It underscores that God often meets us not in our self-sufficiency, but in our fear, our solitude, and our perceived weakness, revealing His power and presence in ways that transcend human understanding or planning.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 32:23 offers profound insights into the nature of preparation and vulnerability in the face of life's daunting challenges. Jacob's deliberate actions remind us that sometimes, significant spiritual or personal breakthroughs necessitate intentionally creating space for solitude, stepping away from the comforts and distractions of our everyday lives to rely solely on God. It illustrates that moments of deep transformation often follow periods of intense preparation, fear, and even a stripping away of what we hold dear, ultimately leading to a new understanding of our identity and purpose. Just as Jacob received his new name, Israel, signifying his wrestling with God and man and prevailing, we too are called to embrace moments of vulnerability, trusting that God meets us in our weakness and uses our solitude to forge a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him, preparing us for the next chapter of our spiritual journey.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jacob choose to be alone at this critical moment?
Answer: Jacob's decision to send his family and possessions across the Jabbok before him was a deliberate act of strategic prudence and spiritual preparation. It served multiple purposes: to protect his family from the immediate danger of Esau's potential wrath, to create a physical and spiritual space for a direct, unmediated encounter with God, and to strip himself of all reliance on human or material support, forcing him into complete dependence on the divine. This intentional isolation was a necessary precursor for the profound, identity-altering encounter that followed in Genesis 32:24.
What is the significance of the Jabbok brook?
Answer: The Jabbok brook (Hebrew: nachal Yabboq) was a geographical landmark, a significant tributary of the Jordan River. Symbolically, it represented a boundary or a threshold. Jacob's crossing of his family and possessions over it, while he remained on the other side, marked a point of no return and a deliberate separation. It signified a liminal space where he was poised between his past and a new, uncertain future, ready for divine intervention. The Jabbok became the place where Jacob's old self died and his new identity as Israel was forged, a place of wrestling and transformation.
Was Jacob abandoning his family by sending them across the brook first?
Answer: No, Jacob was not abandoning his family. His actions were a protective measure, placing them out of immediate harm's way should the encounter with Esau turn violent. By remaining behind, he positioned himself as the first line of defense and the one who would face the primary danger. This demonstrates his profound responsibility and leadership as the patriarch, willing to face the unknown alone to ensure the safety of those entrusted to his care. His actions are an act of self-sacrificial protection, not abandonment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's solitary struggle at the Jabbok, culminating in a new name and a limping walk, profoundly foreshadows the transformative work of Christ. Just as Jacob faced his deepest fears and wrestled with God in a state of complete vulnerability, so too did Christ, in His ultimate act of identification with humanity, face the full weight of sin and death in solitary agony. In the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46), Jesus wrestled in prayer, submitting to the Father's will, and on the cross (John 19:28-30), He became utterly vulnerable for our sake, bearing our infirmities and sorrows. Through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, Christ secured a new identity and a new walk for all who believe, fulfilling the promise of a prevailing "Israel." He is the true "brook" crossed, bridging the chasm between God and humanity (Hebrews 10:19-20), offering reconciliation and a new name to all who are united with Him (Revelation 2:17). Through Christ, we are enabled to prevail, not by our own strength, but by His victorious power, inheriting the blessings of the covenant established through His ultimate sacrifice.