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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/32.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/32.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, &#8220This is the camp of God!&#8221 So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when Jacob saw them, he said, This <i>is</i> God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, “This <i>is</i> God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jacob said when he saw them, &#8220This is God&#8217s camp.&#8221 So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim (double camps).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp.” So he called that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he saw them, Jacob said, &#8220This is God&#8217s camp.&#8221 So he called that place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." So he named the place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When he saw them, Jacob said, "This is God's camp!" He named that place Mahanaim [Two Camps].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When he saw them, he said, "This is God's camp"; so he named the place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As he was watching them, Jacob said, "This must be God's camp," so he named that place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he said, ?This is the camp of God.? So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, "This is the camp of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When he saw them, Jacob said, "This is God's camp." He called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Jacob says, when he has seen them, “This [is] the camp of God”; and he calls the name of that place “Two Camps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Jacob saith, when he hath seen them, 'This is the camp of God;' and he calleth the name of that place 'Two Camps.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will say when seeing them, This the camp of God: and he will call the name of that place the camps.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he saw them, he said: These are the camps of God, and he called the name of that place Mahanaim, that is, Camps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When he had seen them, he said, “These are the Encampments of God.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim, that is, ‘Encampments.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s encampment.” So he named that place Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called that place Mahanaim.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host; so he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yaquuv said, when he saw them, “This is the camp of God”, and he called the name of that country Makhanim.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob said when he saw them: 'This is God's camp.' And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob said, when he saw them, This is the Camp of God; and he called the name of that place, Encampments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/32-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=8047" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/32.htm">Jacob's Fear of Esau</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">Jacob saw them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">“This</a> <a href="/hebrew/4264.htm" title="4264: ma·ḥă·nêh (N-csc) -- An encampment, camp. From chanah; an encampment; hence, an army, whether literal or figurative.">is the camp</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">So he named</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm- (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place</a> <a href="/hebrew/4266.htm" title="4266: ma·ḥă·nā·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Two camps, a place E. of the Jordan. Dual of machaneh; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine.">Mahanaim.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-13.htm">Joshua 5:13-15</a></span><br />Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” / “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” / The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-16.htm">2 Kings 6:16-17</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Daniel 10:5-6</a></span><br />I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. / His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-11.htm">Matthew 4:11</a></span><br />Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-43.htm">Luke 22:43</a></span><br />Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-14.htm">Hebrews 1:14</a></span><br />Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-11.htm">Revelation 5:11-12</a></span><br />Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. / In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-10.htm">Revelation 19:10</a></span><br />So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a></span><br />The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-11.htm">Psalm 91:11-12</a></span><br />For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. / They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-8.htm">Zechariah 1:8-11</a></span><br />I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. / “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” / Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/6-1.htm">Zechariah 6:1-8</a></span><br />And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Acts 12:7-10</a></span><br />Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. / “Get dressed and put on your sandals,” said the angel. Peter did so, and the angel told him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” / So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/27-23.htm">Acts 27:23-24</a></span><br />For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me / and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Judges 6:11-12</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.</p><p class="hdg">God's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/5-14.htm">Joshua 5:14</a></b></br> And he said, Nay; but <i>as</i> 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?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a></b></br> 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 <i>was</i> full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a></b></br> The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.</p><p class="hdg">the name.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Joshua 21:38</a></b></br> And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, <i>to be</i> a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8,12</a></b></br> But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">2 Samuel 17:24,26,27</a></b></br> Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him… </p><p class="hdg">Mahanain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/6-13.htm">Song of Solomon 6:13</a></b></br> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Army</a> <a href="/genesis/26-17.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Camps</a> <a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">God's</a> <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">Host</a> <a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Mahanaim</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-80.htm">Mahana'im</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/40-3.htm">Army</a> <a href="/genesis/32-8.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/genesis/32-7.htm">Camps</a> <a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">God's</a> <a href="/exodus/12-41.htm">Host</a> <a href="/genesis/32-3.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/joshua/13-26.htm">Mahanaim</a> <a href="/joshua/13-26.htm">Mahana'im</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 32</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Jacob's vision at Mahanaim.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-3.htm">His message to Esau.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">He is afraid of Esau's coming.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-9.htm">He prays for deliverance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-13.htm">He sends a present to Esau, and passes the brook Jabbok.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">He wrestles with an angel at Peniel, where he is called Israel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/32-31.htm">He halts.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/32.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/32.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When Jacob saw them</b><br>Jacob, returning to Canaan after years with Laban, encounters angels. This mirrors his earlier vision at Bethel (<a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12</a>), reinforcing God's presence and protection. Angels often appear at pivotal moments, as seen with Abraham (Genesis 18) and later with Elisha (<a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a>). This encounter reassures Jacob of divine support as he prepares to meet Esau.<p><b>he said, “This is the camp of God.”</b><br>The term "camp" suggests a temporary dwelling, indicating a divine presence accompanying Jacob. The Hebrew word "machaneh" implies a military encampment, symbolizing God's protection. This reflects the idea of God as a warrior, a theme seen in <a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>. The presence of angels signifies God's readiness to defend and guide His people.<p><b>So he named that place Mahanaim.</b><br>Mahanaim means "two camps," possibly referring to Jacob's camp and the angelic host. This duality underscores the coexistence of the earthly and the divine. Mahanaim later becomes a significant location in Israel's history, serving as a refuge for David (<a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">2 Samuel 17:24</a>). The naming of places often marks significant spiritual encounters, as seen with Bethel and Peniel, highlighting God's ongoing relationship with His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jacob is returning to his homeland after years of living with his uncle Laban. He is preparing to meet his brother Esau, whom he fears due to their past conflict.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/angels_of_god.htm">Angels of God</a></b><br>These are the divine messengers Jacob encounters. Their presence signifies God's protection and guidance as Jacob returns to Canaan.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mahanaim.htm">Mahanaim</a></b><br>The name Jacob gives to the place where he encounters the angels. The name means "two camps" in Hebrew, indicating both his camp and the camp of God's angels.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_our_journey.htm">God's Presence in Our Journey</a></b><br>Just as Jacob encountered God's angels on his journey, believers can trust in God's presence and protection in their own life's journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/naming_our_encounters_with_god.htm">Naming Our Encounters with God</a></b><br>Jacob named the place Mahanaim to commemorate his encounter with God. We should also remember and mark significant spiritual experiences in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/facing_fears_with_faith.htm">Facing Fears with Faith</a></b><br>Jacob was fearful of meeting Esau, yet God reassured him through the presence of angels. We can face our fears with faith, knowing God is with us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a></b><br>The presence of angels signifies God's protection. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God watches over them, even when they cannot see it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness.htm">Spiritual Awareness</a></b><br>Jacob's recognition of the divine camp encourages us to be spiritually aware and sensitive to God's work around us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 32</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/names_and_meanings_of_israel's_tribes.htm">What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob_wrestle_with_god.htm">Hosea 12:3-4: How can Jacob physically wrestle with God if God is portrayed elsewhere as omnipotent and spiritual?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_jacob_see_god_if_no_one_has.htm">Why does Jacob's claim of seeing God 'face to face' (Gen. 32:30) not conflict with John 1:18, which says no one has ever seen God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_a_contradiction_that_jacob_saw_god.htm">Jesus says, 'No one has seen God' (John 1:18), but Genesis 32:30 says Jacob saw God face to face. Isn't this a contradiction?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/32.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Mahanaim.</span>--That is, <span class= "ital">the two camps, </span>his own and that of the angels; or, possibly, two camps of angels, one on either side of him. Mahanaim was in the tribe of Gad, and became an important town. (See <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm" title="But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;">2Samuel 2:8</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm" title="Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.">2Samuel 17:24</a>; <a href="/1_kings/4-14.htm" title="Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:">1Kings 4:14</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host</span>: - Mahaneh Elohim; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. the army (cf. <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9</a>; <a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Exodus 14:24</a>) or camp (<a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/27-3.htm">Psalm 27:3</a>) of God, as opposed to the Mahanoth, or bands of Jacob himself (<span class="accented">vide</span> ver. 7, 10) - <span class="cmt_word">and he called the name of that place Manahan.</span> - <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. Two armies or camps, from the root <span class="hebrew">חָנַה</span> decline or bend, and hence to fix oneself down or encamp; meaning either a multitudinous host, reading the dual for a plural (Malvenda), or two bands of angels, one before, welcoming him to Canaan, and another behind, conducting him from Mesopotamia (Jarchi and others), or one on either side to typify the completeness of his protection, as in <a href="/psalms/34-8.htm">Psalm 34:8</a> (Calvin, Bush, Gcrlach, 'Speaker's Commentary'), or, as the best expositors interpret, his own company and the heavenly host (Abort Ezra, Clericus, Dathe, Keil, Lange, Rosenmüller, Kalisch, Murphy). Mahanaim, afterwards a distinguished city in the territory of Gad (<a href="/joshua/13-26.htm">Joshua 13:26</a>), and frequently referred to in subsequent Scripture (<a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">2 Samuel 17:24</a>; 27; 19:32; <a href="/1_kings/4-14.htm">1 Kings 4:14</a>), as well as mentioned by Josephus ('Ant.,' 7.9, 8), as a strong and beautiful city, has been identified with Mahneh, a deserted ruin six or seven miles north-west by north of Ajlun (Mount Gilead), and about twenty miles from the Jabbok (<span class="accented">vide</span> 'Robinson,' vol. 3. App. 166; and cf. Tristram, 'The Land of Israel, p. 483); but the narrative appears to say that Mahanaim lay not north of Ga-leed, but between that place and Jabbok. Hence Porter suggests Gerasa, the most splendid ruin east of the Jordan, and bordering on the Jabbok, as occupying the site of Mahanaim (<span class="accented">vide</span> Kitto s 'Cyclopedia,' art. Mahanaim, and cf. 'Handbook for S. and P.' 2. 311, seq.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/32-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jacob] saw them,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[he]</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹב֙</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the camp</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲנֵ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4264.htm">Strong's 4264: </a> </span><span class="str2">An encampment, an army</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So he named</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֛א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּק֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Mahanaim.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַֽחֲנָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·nā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4266.htm">Strong's 4266: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mahanaim -- 'two camps', a place East of the Jordan</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/32-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 32:2 When he saw them Jacob said This (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 32:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 32:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/32-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 32:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 32:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>