Genesis 32:10 kjv

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

Genesis 32:10 nkjv

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.

Genesis 32:10 niv

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

Genesis 32:10 esv

I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.

Genesis 32:10 nlt

I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps!

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 10 Meaning

Genesis 32:10 is Jacob's humble and desperate prayer to God before his encounter with his brother Esau. He acknowledges his complete unworthiness of the abundant, loyal love and unwavering faithfulness God has demonstrated toward him. Jacob recounts his meager beginning when he crossed the Jordan River with only a staff and contrasts it with his present state, having multiplied into two large companies or camps. This highlights God's immense blessing and faithful fulfillment of His promises, despite Jacob's own shortcomings and lack of initial resources. It is an expression of deep gratitude, humility, and earnest reliance on God's continued covenant care amidst his fear.

Genesis 32 10 Context

Genesis chapter 32 recounts Jacob's journey back to Canaan after spending twenty years with Laban in Haran. God had commanded Jacob to return (Gen 31:3), promising His presence and protection. As Jacob approaches his homeland, the impending encounter with his estranged brother Esau, from whom he had fled in fear after deceiving him (Gen 27), weighs heavily on his mind. Messengers he sent to Esau return with news that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men, striking fear into Jacob's heart (Gen 32:7-8). This news prompts Jacob to divide his family and flocks into two camps, hoping one might escape if the other is attacked. Following these anxious preparations, Jacob pours out his heart in an earnest prayer (Gen 32:9-12), of which verse 10 is the core expression of his humility, gratitude for God's past blessings, and profound reliance on God's covenant promises for his present danger. His prayer occurs before his famous wrestling match at Peniel later that night.

Genesis 32 10 Word analysis

• I am not worthy (קָטֹנְתִּי - qatonti):
  • Word Level: From the root קָטֹן (qaton), meaning "small," "insignificant," "little." In this specific verbal form, it signifies "I have become small," or "I am too little," conveying a deep sense of inadequacy and humility rather than a denial of receiving. It means Jacob perceives himself as insignificant in comparison to God's immeasurable kindness.
  • Significance: This is a profound expression of humility, acknowledging that any favor or blessing received is purely by God's grace and not based on personal merit. It highlights a spiritual posture of dependence.
• of the least of all the mercies (מִכֹּל הַחֲסָדִים - mikkol hachasadim):
  • Word Level:
    • "least": Implied in qatonti, meaning not deserving even the smallest part.
    • "mercies": חֲסָדִים (chasadim - plural of chesed). This is a pivotal term in Hebrew scripture, signifying "steadfast love," "loyal love," "kindness," "grace," and "covenant faithfulness." It denotes an active, committed love that flows from God's covenant relationship. The plural emphasizes the many manifestations of this unwavering love.
  • Significance: Jacob recognizes God's faithful, covenantal love as the basis for all His actions. It’s not just general kindness, but covenant love shown over time.
• and of all the truth (וּמִכָּל הָאֱמֶת - umikkol ha'emet):
  • Word Level:
    • "truth": אֱמֶת (emet). Means "truth," "faithfulness," "reliability," "firmness." It speaks to God's unwavering consistency and trustworthiness in fulfilling His promises and being true to His word and character.
  • Significance: Paired with chesed, it forms a foundational biblical expression of God's character (Chesed v'Emet), indicating His unchanging loyalty and dependable honesty. Jacob links God's steadfast love directly with His truthfulness, highlighting His consistent fulfillment of promises.
• which You have shown Your servant (אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ אֶת־עַבְדְּךָ - asher asita et-avdekha):
  • Word Level:
    • "shown/done": עָשִׂיתָ (asita), "you have done," "you have made," "you have performed." Emphasizes God's active involvement and execution of His promises.
    • "Your servant": עַבְדְּךָ (avdekha), a humble self-designation used when addressing God or superiors, signifying devotion and submission.
  • Significance: Jacob acknowledges that God's actions are directed towards him, the servant, highlighting a personal relationship. It is God who performs these deeds of grace and faithfulness.
• for I crossed this Jordan with my staff (כִּי בְמַקְלִי עָבַרְתִּי אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה - ki vemaqli avarti et-hayarden hazzeh):
  • Word Level:
    • "for": כִּי (ki), "because," "for," provides the reason or substantiation for his preceding statement.
    • "my staff": מַקְלִי (maqli), "my staff." A single walking stick, symbolizing destitution, simplicity, and lack of possessions. It points to his initial poverty and utter dependence on God when he fled from Esau.
    • "crossed": עָבַרְתִּי (avarti), "I crossed over." Refers to his departure from the Promised Land twenty years prior (Gen 28:10-11).
  • Words Group Analysis: "crossed this Jordan with my staff" vividly contrasts Jacob's past poverty with his current wealth, emphasizing that his prosperity came solely through God's blessing and faithfulness, not his own resources or merit. It recalls his desperate, solitary departure and serves as a profound benchmark of divine provision.
• and now I have become two companies (וְעַתָּה הָיִיתִי לִשְׁנֵי מַחֲנוֹת - ve'attah hayiti lishnei makhanot):
  • Word Level:
    • "now": וְעַתָּה (ve'attah), emphasizes the immediate present in stark contrast to the past.
    • "I have become": הָיִיתִי (hayiti), "I have been," "I have come to be," signifying a transformative process completed by God's doing.
    • "two companies": שְׁנֵי מַחֲנוֹת (shnei makhanot), "two camps," "two companies" (referring to his families, servants, and vast herds, as organized in Gen 32:7). This signifies great prosperity, family, and possessions, a testament to God's fulfilling His promises of multiplication.
  • Words Group Analysis: "and now I have become two companies" marks the dramatic and tangible proof of God's overflowing blessing and covenant faithfulness. It directly fulfills God's promise to "surely multiply your descendants as the dust of the earth" (Gen 28:14) and "I will deal well with you" (Gen 32:9, echoing 32:12).

Genesis 32 10 Bonus section

• This prayer serves as Jacob's personal reflection on God's covenant promises, especially those given at Bethel (Gen 28:15). It’s not just a recital but a deep understanding of how God fulfilled those promises.
• The profound humility expressed by qatonti sets the stage for Jacob's subsequent, life-changing encounter at Peniel, where he grapples with God (Gen 32:24-32). It implies that a spirit of humility is often a prerequisite for deeper spiritual encounters and transformations.
• The "two companies" Jacob mentions would eventually form the nucleus of the tribes of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness in beginning the fulfillment of His promise to make Jacob a great nation.
• Jacob's prayer blends remembrance of God's commands (Gen 32:9), recognition of God's character (mercy and truth), and humble acknowledgment of past blessing. This pattern of prayer remains a vital principle for believers in facing challenges: recall God's promises, affirm His nature, and acknowledge His past work.

Genesis 32 10 Commentary

Genesis 32:10 is a model prayer steeped in humility, gratitude, and a plea for God's continued faithfulness. Jacob, facing a deeply threatening encounter, doesn't claim personal righteousness or boast of his ingenuity. Instead, he highlights God's attributes of chesed (steadfast love, covenant faithfulness) and emet (truth, reliability) as the foundation of his past blessings. He contrasts his past state of destitution (a single staff as his sole possession) with his present prosperity (two large companies), attributing the dramatic transformation entirely to God's grace and truthfulness. This retrospective look serves as both an act of worship and a powerful basis for his current appeal to God, demonstrating that because God has been faithful in the past, He can be trusted to be faithful in the present and future crisis. It underscores that true blessings and safety stem from divine intervention, not human planning alone, and humility is essential for approaching God's throne of grace. This verse emphasizes God's proactive role in fulfilling His promises despite human weakness.