Genesis 32

1 ^{a32:1 This v. is 32:2 in MT, and so through v. 33} As Jacob went on his way, angels from God met him.ISV — Genesis 32:1

2 As he was watching them, Jacob said, “This must be God’s camp,” so he named that place Mahanaim. ^{b32:2 The Heb. name Mahanaim means two camps}ISV — Genesis 32:2

3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead of him into the land of Seir (that is, into the territory of Edom) to meet his brother Esau.ISV — Genesis 32:3

4 He instructed them, “This is what you are to say to my master Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob told me to tell you, “I’ve journeyed to stay with Laban and I’ve remained there until now.ISV — Genesis 32:4

5 I now have cattle, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants. I’m sending this message to you, sir, ^{c32:5 Lit. to my lord} so that you’ll show favor to me.”’”ISV — Genesis 32:5

6 Later, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We went to your brother Esau. He’s now coming to meet you—and he has 400 men with him!”ISV — Genesis 32:6

7 Feeling mounting terror and distress, Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, doing the same with the flocks, the cattle, and the camels.ISV — Genesis 32:7

8 Jacob was thinking, “If Esau comes to one group and attacks it, then the remaining group may escape.”ISV — Genesis 32:8

9 Then Jacob prayed, ^{d32:9 Lit. said} “O God of my father Abraham, O God of my father Isaac, O LORD, you who told me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives and I’ll cause things to go well for you.’ISV — Genesis 32:9

10 I’m unworthy of all your gracious love, your faithfulness, and everything that you’ve done for your servant. When I first crossed over this river, I had only my staff. But now I’ve become two groups.ISV — Genesis 32:10

11 Deliver me from my brother Esau’s control, because I’m terrified of him, and I’m afraid that he’s coming to attack me, the mothers, and their children.ISV — Genesis 32:11

12 Now, you promised me that ‘I’m certainly going to cause things to go well with you, and I’m going to make your offspring ^{e32:12 Lit. seed} as numerous as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”ISV — Genesis 32:12

13 Jacob spent the night there. Out of everything that he had brought with him, he chose a gift for his brother Esau—ISV — Genesis 32:13

14 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams,ISV — Genesis 32:14

15 30 milking camels with their young, 40 cows with ten bulls, and 20 female donkeys with ten male donkeys.ISV — Genesis 32:15

16 He entrusted them into the care of his servants, one herd at a time. ^{f32:16 Lit. herd by herd} Then he told his servants, “Go in front of me, making sure there’s plenty of space between herds.”ISV — Genesis 32:16

17 To the first group he said, “When you meet my brother Esau, if he asks, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And to whom do these herds ^{g32:17 The Heb. lacks herds} belong?’ISV — Genesis 32:17

18 then you are to reply, ‘We’re from ^{h32:18 Lit. To} your servant Jacob. The herds ^{i32:18 Lit. They} are a gift. He’s sending them to my master, Esau. Look! There he is, coming along behind us.’”ISV — Genesis 32:18

19 He issued similar instructions to the second and third group, as well as to all the others who drove the herds that followed: “This is how you are to speak to Esau when you find him.ISV — Genesis 32:19

20 You are to tell him, ‘Look! Your servant Jacob is coming along behind us.’” Jacob was thinking, “I’ll pacify him with the presents that are being sent ahead of me. Then, when I meet him, ^{j32:20 Lit. I see his face} perhaps he’ll accept me.” ^{k32:20 Lit. he’ll lift my face}ISV — Genesis 32:20

21 So the presents went ^{l32:21 Lit. passed} ahead of him, while he spent that night in the camp.ISV — Genesis 32:21

22 Later that night, he woke up, quickly took his two wives, his ^{m32:22 The Heb. lacks his} two women servants, and his eleven children, and forded the river at Jabbok.ISV — Genesis 32:22

23 He took them across the river, along with all his possessions.ISV — Genesis 32:23

24 And so Jacob was left alone, and he struggled with a man until daybreak.ISV — Genesis 32:24

25 When the man realized that he hadn’t yet won the struggle, he injured the socket ^{n32:25 Or hollow and so throughout the chapter} of Jacob’s thigh, dislocating it as he wrestled with him,ISV — Genesis 32:25

26 and said, “Let me go, because the dawn has come.” ^{o32:26 Lit. has ascended.} “I won’t let you go,” Jacob ^{p32:26 Lit. he} replied, “unless you bless me.”ISV — Genesis 32:26

27 Then the man ^{q32:27 Lit. Then he} asked him, “What’s your name?” “Jacob,” he respondedISV — Genesis 32:27

28 “Your name won’t be ^{r32:28 Lit. be called} Jacob anymore,” the man ^{s32:28 Lit. anymore,” he} replied, “but Israel, because you exerted yourself against both God and men, and you’ve emerged victorious.”ISV — Genesis 32:28

29 “Please,” Jacob inquired, “Tell me your name.” But he asked, “Why are you asking about my name?” And he blessed Jacob ^{t32:29 Lit. him} there.ISV — Genesis 32:29

30 Jacob would later call that place Peniel, ^{u32:30 The Heb. name means facing God} because “I saw God face to face, but my life was spared.”ISV — Genesis 32:30

31 The sun was rising above Jacob ^{v32:31 Lit. him} as he crossed over from Peniel, limping due to his wounded thigh.ISV — Genesis 32:31

32 Therefore, to this day the Israelis do not eat the hip tendon that connects to the thigh socket, because he had injured the socket of the thigh where the tendon connected to Jacob’s hip.ISV — Genesis 32:32