Genesis 32:1-20 ▼

1 Jacob also (he grasps the heel) went on his way, and the angels of God {Elohim} met him.

2 When Jacob saw them, he (he grasps the heel) said, “This is the camp of God {Elohim}.” So he named that place Mahanaim (two camps).

3 Jacob (he grasps the heel) sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau (hairy) in the land of Seir (shaggy), the country of Edom (red).

4 He instructed them, “You⁺ are to say to my master Esau (hairy), ‘Your servant Jacob (he grasps the heel) says: I have been staying with Laban (white) and have remained there until now.

5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”

6 When the messengers returned to Jacob (he grasps the heel), they said, “We went to your brother Esau (hairy), and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.”

7 In great fear and distress, Jacob (he grasps the heel) divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.

8 He thought, “If Esau (hairy) comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.”

9 Then Jacob (he grasps the heel) declared, “O God {Elohe} of my father Abraham (father of many), God of my father Isaac (he laughs), the LORD {YHWH} who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’

10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan (flowing down), but now I have become two camps.

11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau (hairy), for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

12 But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”

13 Jacob spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau (hairy):

14 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams,

15 30 milk camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys.

16 He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”

17 He instructed the one in the lead, “When my brother Esau (hairy) meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, where are you going, and whose animals are these before you?’

18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob (he grasps the heel). They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau (hairy). And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”

19 He also instructed the second, the third, and all those following behind the herds: “When you⁺ meet Esau (hairy), you⁺ are to say the same thing to him.

20 You⁺ are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob (he grasps the heel) is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau (I will appease his face) with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me \perhaps he will lift up my face/.