Bible/Genesis/32

Genesis 32:2

32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Mahanaim: that is, Two hosts, or, camps

KJV

Save image

When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

32:3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. country: Heb. field

What does Genesis 32:2 mean?

Genesis 32:2 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb), רָאָה (râʼâh), אָמַר (ʼâmar). It connects to 14 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
And
when
JacobיַעֲקֹבYaʻăqôb/yah-ak-obe'/H3290Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
saw
them,רָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
he
said,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
This
is
God'sאֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym/el-o-heem'/H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
host:מַחֲנֶהmachăneh/makh-an-eh'/H4264an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts)
and
he
calledקָרָאqârâʼ/kaw-raw'/H7121to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
the
nameשֵׁםshêm/shame/H8034an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
of
that
placeמָקוֹםmâqôwm/maw-kome'/H4725properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Mahanaim.מַחֲנַיִםMachănayim/makh-an-ah'-yim/H4266Machanajim, a place in Palestine
Mahanaim:
that
is,
Two
hosts,
or,
camps

Commentary on Genesis 32:2

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 32:2
erence >ver. 1, 2 . II. With bad tidings from his brother, to whom he sent a message to notify his return, ver. 3-6 . In his distress, 1. He divides his company, ver. 7, 8 . 2. He makes his prayer to God, ver. 9-12 . 3. He sends a present to his brother, ver. 13-23 . 4. He wrestles with the angel, ver. 24-32 . Jacob Pursuing His Journey. ( b. c. 1739.) 1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he ca

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Joshua 5:14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? captain: or, prince

Joshua 21:38

And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

2 Samuel 2:8

But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; Saul's host: Heb. the host which was Saul's Ishbosheth: or, Eshbaal

2 Samuel 2:12

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 17:24

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

2 Samuel 17:26

So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

2 Samuel 17:27

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

1 Kings 2:8

And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. grievous: Heb. strong

1 Kings 4:14

Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim: Mahanaim: or, to Mahanaim

2 Kings 6:17

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Psalms 34:7

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Song of Solomon 6:13

Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. of: or, of Mahanaim

Daniel 10:20

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

Luke 2:13

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Topics

Jacob

People & places in this verse

People

Places

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 32:2.

Genesis 16:13

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. Jehovahjireh: that is, The Lord will see, or, provide

Genesis 25:30

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red

Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. Reuben: that is, See a son

Genesis 12:8

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 13:4

Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 16:11

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. Ishmael: that is, God shall hear

Genesis 16:15

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 32:2 say?

Genesis 32:2 (King James Version) reads: "And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Mahanaim: that is, Two hosts, or, camps"

Is Genesis 32:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 32:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 32:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Genesis 32:2
32:1Read all of Genesis 3232:3