Genesis 32:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 32:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God`s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God`s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
Genesis 32:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God`s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when Jacob saw them, etc.] These appeared in a visible form, most probably human, and in the habit, and with the accoutrements of soldiers, and therefore afterwards called an host or army. Aben Ezra thinks that Jacob alone saw them, as Elisha first saw the host of angels before the young man did that was with him, (<120617>2 Kings 6:17): he said, this [is] God’s host: or army, hence he is often called the Lord of hosts; angels have this name from their number, order, strength, and military exploits they perform: and he called the name of the place Mahanaim; which signifies two hosts or armies; either his own family and company making one, and the angels another, as Aben Ezra observes; or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Mahanaim--"two hosts," or "camps." The place was situated between mount Gilead and the Jabbok, near the banks of that brook.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Jacob Wrestles in Prayer 3. מחנים machănāyı̂m, Machanaim, “two camps.” 22. יבק yaboq, Jabboq; related: בקק bāqaq “gush or gurgle out” or אבק 'ābaq in niphal, “wrestle.” Now Wady Zurka. 29. ישׂראל yı̂śrā'ēl, Jisrael, “prince of God.” 31. פניאל penı̂y'ēl = פנוּאל penû'ēl, Peniel, Penuel, “face of God.” After twenty years spent in Aram, Jacob now returns to Kenann. As his departure was marked by a great moment in his spiritual life, so he is now approaching to a crisis in his life of no less significance Genesis 32:1-3 Jacob has a vision of the heavenly host. This passage, recording Laban’s farewell and departure, closes the connection of Jacob with Haran and all its toils of…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“32:2 This is God’s camp! Jacob must have seen the angels that revealed God’s presence as a sign of protection, as with the earlier vision when he was departing the land (28:10-22). • Mahanaim (“two camps”): Jacob’s company and the company of angels were together in one place.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification