Genesis 32

Jacob Encounters Angels

1 Jacob hit the road, and some of God’s angels pulled up on him.

2 When he saw them, Jacob said, ‘This is God’s camp!’ So he named the spot Mahanaim (which means ‘Two Camps’).

Jacob Sends Messengers to Esau

3 Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in Edom.

4 He told them, ‘Tell my brother Esau this: Your servant Jacob says he has been living with Uncle Laban until now.’

5 ‘I have got cattle, donkeys, flocks, servants, and I am coming back. I hope to find favor with you.’

6 The messengers came back and said, ‘Esau is coming to meet you, with 400 men!’

7 Jacob freaked out. He split his people, flocks, herds, and camels into two groups.

8 He thought, ‘If Esau attacks one camp, the other can escape.’

Jacob Prays for Help

9 Then Jacob prayed, ‘God of my granddad Abraham and my dad Isaac, You told me to go back to my homeland and You would bless me.’

10 ‘I do not deserve all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown me. I crossed this river with just my staff, and now I have got two camps.’

11 ‘Save me from my brother Esau! I am scared he is going to roll up and kill me and my family.’

12 ‘But You promised me, I will make your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too many to count.’

Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau

13 Jacob stayed the night, then put together a peace offering for Esau.

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

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

16 He handed them to his servants in herds and said, ‘Go ahead of me, and keep some space between each group.’

17 He told the first servant, ‘When Esau asks, Who do you belong to, say, These are from your servant Jacob. It is a gift for you, and Jacob is coming behind us.’

18 He gave the same instructions to the second and third groups, and all the others, saying, ‘Tell him the same thing.’

19 Jacob thought, ‘Maybe these gifts will calm him down, and by the time I show up, he will not be mad anymore.’

20 So the gifts went ahead, but Jacob stayed back that night.

Jacob Wrestles with God

21 Jacob sent his family across the river Jabbok with everything he owned.

22 He stayed behind by himself, and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn.

23 When the man saw he could not overpower Jacob, he touched his hip and dislocated it.

24 The man said, ‘Let me go, the sun is coming up!’ Jacob said, ‘Not until You bless me!’

25 The man asked, ‘What is your name?’ Jacob said, ‘It is Jacob.’

26 He said, ‘Your name is not Jacob anymore. It is Israel, because you wrestled with God and humans and came out on top.’

27 Jacob asked, ‘What is Your name?’ But the man said, ‘Why are you asking My name?’ Then He blessed Jacob.

28 Jacob called the place Peniel (Face of God) and said, ‘I saw God face to face, and I am still alive!’

29 The sun was rising as Jacob left, but he was limping because of his hip.

30 That is why Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the hip socket, because that is where Jacob got touched.