Genesis 32:8 He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."

◄ Genesis 32:8 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."

English Standard Version
thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.”

New American Standard Bible
for he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape."

King James Bible
And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He thought, "If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, the remaining one can escape."

International Standard Version
Jacob was thinking, "If Esau comes to one group and attacks it, then the remaining group may escape."

American Standard Version
and he said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the company which is left shall escape.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying: If Esau come to one company and destroy it, the other company that is left shall escape.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said, If Esau come to the one troop and smite it, then the other troop which is left shall escape.

Young's Literal Translation
and saith, 'If Esau come in unto the one camp, and have smitten it -- then the camp which is left hath been for an escape.'

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

32:1-8 The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, to whom the promise belonged, had been in hard service, Esau was become a prince. Jacob sent a message, showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right. Yielding pacifies great offences, Ec 10:4. We must not refuse to speak respectfully, even to those unjustly angry with us. Jacob received an account of Esau's warlike preparations against him, and was greatly afraid. A lively sense of danger, and quickening fear arising from it, may be found united with humble confidence in God's power and promise.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. The messengers returned to Jacob—Their report left Jacob in painful uncertainty as to what was his brother's views and feelings. Esau's studied reserve gave him reason to dread the worst. Jacob was naturally timid; but his conscience told him that there was much ground for apprehension, and his distress was all the more aggravated that he had to provide for the safety of a large and helpless family.