Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies;
- 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;
- BSB In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
- 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.
- NASB Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies;
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Gripped by fear, Jacob divides his people and flocks into two companies. He plans so that if one is attacked, the other may survive.
Overview
Jacob's distress is real, yet he responds with prudent action, dividing his camp as a precaution. His planning shows that trusting God does not preclude wise human effort. The verse honestly portrays a believer's fear alongside his practical faith, a tension familiar to God's people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Gen 35:3Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.”
- Acts 14:22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
- Isa 28:26For his God instructs him in right judgment, and teaches him.
- Gen 32:11Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and strike me, and the mothers with the children.
- Ps 31:13For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
- Ps 142:4Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
- Matt 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Matt 8:26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
- Exod 14:10When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Yahweh.
- Ps 18:4–5The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
- 2 Tim 3:12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
- Ps 61:2From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
- 2 Cor 1:8–10For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.
- Prov 2:11Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you,
- John 16:33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Ps 55:4–5My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
- 2 Cor 1:4who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- Ps 107:6Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,
- Ps 112:5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 32:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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