Genesis 32:8

And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

And said {H559}, If Esau {H6215} come {H935} to the one {H259} company {H4264}, and smite it {H5221}, then the other company {H4264} which is left {H7604} shall escape {H6413}.

saying, "If 'Esav comes to the one camp and attacks it, at least the camp that is left will escape."

He thought, โ€œIf Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.โ€

and he said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the company which is left shall escape.

Commentary

Genesis 32:8 captures Jacob's strategic thinking as he prepares to meet his estranged brother, Esau, after twenty years.

Context

Upon returning to the land of Canaan from Laban's household, Jacob sent messengers ahead to Esau, only to receive word that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. This news filled Jacob with great fear and distress, as he remembered the animosity that had driven him from his home years earlier (Genesis 27:41). In response, Jacob devised a plan to mitigate potential disaster. He divided all the people, flocks, herds, and camels into two separate "companies" or camps. The verse explains the rationale behind this division: "If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape." This was a desperate, yet shrewd, attempt to ensure the survival of at least part of his family and possessions, should Esau attack.

Key Themes

  • Prudence and Preparedness: Jacob's actions demonstrate a practical wisdom in the face of a perceived threat. He doesn't passively wait but takes concrete steps to protect his family and assets. This highlights the biblical principle of combining faith with responsible planning.
  • Fear and Survival: The verse directly reflects Jacob's deep fear of Esau's potential wrath. His primary concern is the survival of his loved ones and his accumulated wealth. This strategy is born out of a desire for preservation.
  • Trust in God (Implied): While displaying human foresight, Jacob's actions in this chapter are also framed by his intense prayer to God for deliverance in the subsequent verses (Genesis 32:9-12), indicating that his strategy was not a substitute for divine reliance but a complement to it.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "company" is machaneh (ืžึทื—ึฒื ึถื”), which can mean an encampment, a camp, or an army. Here, it refers to a distinct division or group. The term "smite" comes from nakah (ื ึธื›ึธื”), meaning to strike, beat, or kill, clearly indicating the violent attack Jacob anticipated. "Escape" is derived from peletah (ืคึผึฐืœึตื™ื˜ึธื”), signifying deliverance or survival, emphasizing the hope that at least one part of his household would be saved from destruction.

Practical Application

Jacob's calculated move in Genesis 32:8 offers valuable lessons for believers today. While we are called to trust in God's providence, this does not negate the importance of human prudence and wise planning. It encourages us to take responsible steps in challenging situations, weighing potential risks and preparing accordingly. This verse underscores the balance between diligence in planning and ultimate reliance on God's protection. We can learn from Jacob to face our fears with both strategic action and fervent prayer, understanding that God often works through our prepared efforts.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 33:1

    ยถ And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.

  • Genesis 33:3

    And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

  • Matthew 10:16

    ยถ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
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