Genesis 32:7

5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”

6 When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.”

In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.

8 He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.”

9 Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
KJV
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
WEB
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, along with the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies.
ASV
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed: and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies;
DARBY
Then Jacob was greatly afraid, and was distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the sheep and the cattle and the camels, into two troops.
BLB
And Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. And he divided the people who [were] with him, and the flock and the cattle and the camels, into two camps,
ÅB
Da ble Jakob overmåte forferdet; og han delte folket som var med ham, og småfeet og storfeet og kamelene i to leire.
OTB
Jakob ble svært redd og engstelig, så han delte folket som var med ham, sammen med flokkene, buskapen og kamelene, i to grupper.
B1930
Da blev Jakob overmåte forferdet; og han delte folket som var med ham, og småfeet og storfeet og kamelene i to leire.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 35:3

    Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 32:11

    Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 107:6

    Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 2:11

    Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8–10

    We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 55:4–5

    My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 31:13

    For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

    Read in context
  • John 16:33

    I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

    Read in context