Genesis 32:3

Esau Comes to Meet Jacob

1 So Jacob went on his way, and ^athe angels of God met him.

2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s ^acamp.” And he called the name of that place¹ Mahanaim.

3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother ^ain the land of Seir, ^bthe country of Edom.

4 And he commanded them, saying, ^a“Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

5 ^aI have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that ^bI may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and ^ahe also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Genesis 32:3

Jacob sent messengers - malachim , the same word which is before translated angels. It is very likely that these messengers had been sent some time before he had this vision at Mahanaim, for they appear to have returned while Jacob encamped at the brook Jabbok, where he had the vision of angels; see Genesis 32:6, Genesis 32:23.

The land of Seir, the country of Edom - This land, which was, according to Dr. Wells, situated on the south of the Dead Sea, extending from thence to the Arabian Gulf, I Kings 9:26, was formerly possessed by the Horites, Genesis 14:6; but Esau with his children drove them out, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead, Deuteronomy 2:22; and thither Esau went from the face of his brother Jacob, Genesis 36:6, Genesis 36:7. Thus we find he verified the prediction, By thy sword shalt thou live, Genesis 27:40.

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