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Genesis 32:8

Esau
Fear

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.”

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

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,’

10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

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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
He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.”
KJV
And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
WEB
He said, “If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape.”
ASV
and he said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the company which is left shall escape.
DARBY
And he said, If Esau come to the one troop and smite it, then the other troop which is left shall escape.
BLB
and he said, “If Esau comes to the one camp and strikes it, then the remaining camp shall be for an escape.”
ÅB
For han tenkte: Om Esau kommer til den ene leir og slår den, da kan den leir som er igjen, få berge seg unna.
OTB
Han resonnerte: “Hvis Esau angriper den ene gruppen, kan den andre gruppen unnslippe.”
B1930
For han tenkte: Om Esau kommer til den ene leir og slår den, da kan den leir som er igjen, få berge sig unda.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 33:1–3

    Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

    Read in context