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 contextGenesis 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 contextPsalms 107:6
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
Read in contextProverbs 2:11
Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,
Read in context2 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 contextPsalms 55:4–5
My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
Read in contextPsalms 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 contextJohn 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