Genesis 32:7 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;

Genesis 32:7 nkjv

So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.

Genesis 32:7 niv

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.

Genesis 32:7 esv

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps,

Genesis 32:7 nlt

Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups.

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 7 Meaning

Genesis 32:7 describes Jacob's profound emotional state and immediate strategic action upon hearing that Esau was approaching with 400 men. Overwhelmed by great fear and intense distress, Jacob responded by prudently dividing his entire company—including his people, flocks, herds, and camels—into two distinct camps. This decision was a practical measure to safeguard his family and possessions, hoping that if one camp were attacked, the other might escape.

Genesis 32 7 Context

Genesis chapter 32 chronicles Jacob's journey back to Canaan after spending twenty years with his uncle Laban. As he approaches his homeland, he sends messengers ahead to his estranged brother Esau, whom he had wronged years ago by taking the birthright and the blessing (Gen 27). The messengers return with the unsettling news that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. This news deeply alarms Jacob, as a force of that size suggests a potential hostile intention rather than a peaceful reunion. Verse 7 specifically captures Jacob's immediate, intense emotional and strategic response to this dire report, before he then turns to earnest prayer and preparation for a peaceful encounter, which ultimately leads to his pivotal wrestling experience at Peniel later in the chapter.

Genesis 32 7 Word Analysis

• Then (וַ): A simple connective, indicating immediate sequence or consequence. It marks Jacob's quick reaction to the news.
• Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, Ya‘aqov): The patriarch, whose name means "supplanter" or "he grasps the heel." This moment highlights his human vulnerability and the real-world consequences of his past actions, despite God's covenant promises.
• was greatly afraid (וַיִּירָא מְאֹד, vayyīrā mᵊʾōḏ):
  • Vayyīrā (וַיִּירָא): From the verb yare (ירא), meaning "to fear, dread, revere." In this context, it signifies intense dread and terror in the face of perceived danger.
  • Mᵊʾōḏ (מְאֹד): An adverb meaning "very, exceedingly, greatly." It emphasizes the intensity and profundity of Jacob's fear. This wasn't mere apprehension, but overwhelming panic.
• and distressed (וַיֵּצֶר לוֹ, vayyētzer lō):
  • Vayyētzer (וַיֵּצֶר): From the verb yatsar (יצר), meaning "to be narrow, confined, straitened, distressed, vexed." It denotes inner anguish and a feeling of being trapped or hemmed in with no escape. This complements his external fear with an internal sense of pressure and constriction.
• So he divided (וַיַּחַץ, vayyachaṭz): From the verb chatzah (חצה), meaning "to divide, cut in two, halve." This indicates a practical, strategic action stemming directly from his fear and distress. It reflects prudence and resourcefulness in a desperate situation.
• the people who were with him (אֶת־הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ, ʾeṯ-hāʿām ʾăšer ʾittō): Refers to his large household, servants, and laborers who were part of his company. It shows the vastness of his responsibilities and what was at stake.
• and the flocks and herds and camels (וְאֶת־הַצֹּאן וְאֶת־הַבָּקָר וְהַגְּמַלִּים, wᵊʾeṯ-haṣṣōʾn wᵊʾeṯ-habbāqār wᵊhagggᵊmallīm): Represents his vast accumulated wealth and livelihood. The comprehensive list underscores that his entire life's prosperity and the means to support his family were at risk.
• into two camps (לִשְׁנֵי מַחֲנוֹת, lišnēy machănōṯ):
  • Lišnēy: "Into two."
  • Machănōṯ: Plural of machaneh (מַחֲנֶה), meaning "camp, army, company." The use of "camps" has military connotations, suggesting a tactical deployment.

Words-group Analysis:

• "greatly afraid and distressed": This powerful pairing of emotions emphasizes the depth of Jacob's terror and inner turmoil. It highlights a common human experience where external threat (Esau with 400 men) combines with internal psychological distress, feeling cornered. This visceral reaction reveals Jacob's true humanity, a necessary foundation before his spiritual wrestling.
• "So he divided the people...and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps": This phrase details a calculated survival strategy. It demonstrates Jacob's practical wisdom and forethought. The division was an ancient military tactic, akin to a two-pronged approach or an "eggs in separate baskets" strategy. It acknowledges the real possibility of an attack and seeks to minimize total loss, ensuring that at least some might escape, thereby preserving his family and God's covenant lineage.

Genesis 32 7 Bonus section

• The strategic division into "two camps" is reflected in the later Hebrew name for the place where this happened: Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," as mentioned in Genesis 32:2. This emphasizes the lasting significance of Jacob's prudent (and desperate) maneuver.
• Jacob's fear here contrasts with his previous encounters with God. Despite visions (Gen 28:12-15) and direct commands (Gen 31:3), his human frailty comes to the fore. This vulnerability is crucial for his spiritual development, leading him from self-reliance to a more profound dependence on God, culminating in the wrestling match at Peniel.
• The inclusion of "people," "flocks," "herds," and "camels" signifies the holistic threat Jacob perceived—not just to his personal life but to his entire economic and familial entity, representing the entirety of God's blessing upon him.
• This verse sets a significant precedent for human action combined with divine trust. Jacob does not passively wait for God's intervention, but takes a rational, protective measure, then proceeds to pray fervently and wrestle with God. It illustrates the biblical principle that faith does not negate human responsibility or wise planning.

Genesis 32 7 Commentary

Genesis 32:7 is a profound portrayal of a covenant patriarch confronting his deepest fears. Jacob, the "supplanter," now prosperous yet vulnerable, faces the literal embodiment of his past deceit: Esau. The news of Esau's approach with 400 men ignites not just fear (yare) but intense, debilitating distress (yatsar lo), causing him to feel completely hemmed in. This response reveals the real tension between God's unwavering promises of protection and blessing (Gen 28:15; 31:3) and the raw, unrefined human experience of terror. Jacob's reaction, far from indicating a lack of faith, shows his complete awareness of the danger. His subsequent action—dividing his entire household and possessions into two camps—is a testament to both his practical shrewdness and his deep concern for his family's survival. This "two camps" strategy, from which the nearby place was named Mahanaim (Gen 32:2), was a prudent measure, allowing for the potential preservation of a remnant should one camp be destroyed. This moment of extreme vulnerability precipitates Jacob's sincere prayer in verses 9-12 and ultimately prepares him for the transformative encounter at Peniel, where he wrestles not just with a man, but with God, confronting his own past and future destiny. It shows that even amidst genuine fear and pragmatic human efforts, God continues to work, shaping His chosen ones and fulfilling His promises.