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Commentaries on Genesis 32:8

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John Gill - Exposition

John Gill

INTRODUCTION TO Genesis 32 This chapter informs us of Jacob's proceeding on in his journey, and of his being met and guarded by an host of angels, Genesis 32:1; of his sending messengers to his brother Esau, acquainting him with his increase, and desiring his favour and good will, Genesis 32:3, who return and report to him, that Esau was coming to him with four hundred men, which put him into a...

John Gill - Exposition

John Gill

And said, if Esau come to the one company, and smite it,.... The first, which perhaps consisted only of some servants, with a part of his cattle; so that if Esau should come in an hostile manner, and fall upon that, and slay the servants, and take the cattle as a booty: then the other company which is left shall escape; by flight, in which most probably were he himself, his wives and children,...

Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary

Matthew Henry

We have here Jacob still upon his journey towards Canaan. Never did so many memorable things occur in any march as in this of Jacob's little family. By the way he meets, I. With good tidings from his God, ver. 1, 2. II. With bad tidings from his brother, to whom he sent a message to notify his return, ver. 3-6. In his distress, 1. He divides his company, ver. 7, 8. 2. He makes his prayer to God,...

Spurgeon - Verse Expositions

Charles H. Spurgeon

And he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. This man Jacob was always planning, and scheming; he was the great progenitor of the Jews, who are still preeminent in bargaining. See how he plots and arranges everything to the best...

Spurgeon - Verse Expositions

Charles H. Spurgeon

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; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. He used the means that he judged to be the best under the existing circumstances, and I believe that God intends us always to use our best...

Spurgeon - Verse Expositions

Charles H. Spurgeon

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. 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; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape....

Spurgeon - Verse Expositions

Charles H. Spurgeon

And he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. This is characteristic of Jacob. He was a man of plans and arrangements, a man of considerable craftiness, which some people nowadays call “prudence.” He used means, and he sometimes used...