host = camp. Hebrew. mahaneh as in verses: Genesis 32:8 , Genesis 32:21 . Compare Deuteronomy 33:2 .Joshua 5:14 , Joshua 5:15 .Psalms 27:3 ; Psalms 78:28 ; Psalms 106:16 . Mahanaim = two camps. read more
"And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim."Twenty years before this event when he was about to journey into the land of his twenty-year bondage, God had appeared to Jacob and strengthened him in the vision of the ladder reaching to heaven, and now, that he was about to enter into a new phase of his life, again God appeared to him, first in this vision of the angels, later in the... read more
"And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: and I have oxen, and asses and flocks, and men-servants, and maid-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet... read more
Genesis 32:1. The angels of God, &c.— When Jacob embarked in this enterprize, and left Canaan, God was pleased to encourage him by a vision of angels, and by the assurance of his protection: and now that he was returning, happily escaped from Laban, but with good reason afraid of Esau, another vision of the celestial messengers is presented to him. From the vision of the angelical powers, he called the place, by a military name, referring to the idea of hosts or armies, Mahanaim, or camps,... read more
Genesis 32:3. Jacob sent messengers, &c.— It was very natural for Jacob to conceive fearful apprehensions of Esau, and very prudential in him to take all proper methods to conciliate his favour; and this consistently with the firmest dependance upon the protection of that God who had so graciously revealed himself to him: for it never has appeared that God's providential care is intended to supersede our own just and proper endeavours. As, therefore, he was about to pass over Jordan, he... read more
1. angels of God met him—It is not said whether this angelic manifestation was made in a vision by day, or a dream by night. There is an evident allusion, however, to the appearance upon the ladder (compare :-), and this occurring to Jacob on his return to Canaan, was an encouraging pledge of the continued presence and protection of God (Psalms 34:7; Hebrews 1:14). read more
2. Mahanaim—"two hosts," or "camps." The place was situated between mount Gilead and the Jabbok, near the banks of that brook. :-. MISSION TO ESAU. read more
3. Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau—that is, "had sent." It was a prudent precaution to ascertain the present temper of Esau, as the road, on approaching the eastern confines of Canaan, lay near the wild district where his brother was now established. land of Seir—a highland country on the east and south of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Horites, who were dispossessed by Esau or his posterity ( :-). When and in what circumstances he had emigrated thither, whether the separation arose... read more
These angels (messengers) must have resembled the angels Jacob had seen at Bethel (Genesis 28:12) for him to have recognized them as angels. They joined his own company of travelers for Jacob’s protection (cf. Psalms 34:7). This is the reason for the name "Mahanaim" (i.e., double host or double camp). Jacob probably saw the camp of angels as a source of comfort to his own camp as he prepared to enter the Promised Land."Although outside the land of promise, he was not outside the hand of... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 32:1
angels of God. Compare Psalms 34:7 , to assure him of God's presence with him, and of His protection. read more