Genesis 32

Genesis 32:1

THe Angels] In humane shape, well known to Jacob, by their brightnesse, agilitie, and other signes.

Genesis 32:2

Mahanaim] That is to say host, or camp: the one of Angels, the other of his own company.

Genesis 32:3

Seir] See Gen. 14. 6. and 36. 20 Of Edom] In that part of the Horims, which Esau otherwise called Edom possessed, and was named according to his name: Deuteronomy 2:22.

Genesis 32:8

If Esau] Peradventure he will vent his anger upon one and spare the other.

Genesis 32:10

I am not worthy] The Italian hath it, I am lesse then all] They infinitely go beyond any power I have to deserve them; and any abilitie I have to worthily acknowledge them.

Genesis 32:11

The mother] A proverbiall manner of speaking, as much as to say without any mercy or distinction: see Hosea 10:14.

Genesis 32:16

Every drove] This distinction, and distance was to stay Esau his first violence.

Genesis 32:21

In the company] The Italian hath it, in the camp] that is, in the middest of his tents, which were in manner of a camp.

Genesis 32:22

Sonnes] That is to say the males, for Dina was the twelfth.

Genesis 32:24

A man] It was the son of man in humane shape, as it appeareth by the whole narration and by Hos. ch. 12. 4, 5. Now by all this action he would shew Jacob, what trialls he would make of his faith, and constancy, in all difficulties which should be set before him, by him, and by the happy issue that he would grant him, and by this meanes give the Church an instruction touching the good combat of faith.

Genesis 32:25

He touched] A figure to shew that all the spirituall victories of the faithfull in this world, are marked with some notable frailty which God giveth them a lively feeling of, to humble them: see 2 Corinthians 12:7 Was out of joint] the bone was driven out of the joint, and though it was quickly put in againe, yet did it leave paine, and weaknesse behind it.

Genesis 32:26

Let me go] This is said to kindle in Jacob the desire of holding the Lord so much the more: as Luke 24:28-29 Breaketh] A figure to signifie, that after the night of afflictions, comes the bright day of consolations: in which night, faith ought not to slack, but to grow stronger, to obtaine from God the fruit of the victory, as he hath granted him strength to fight I will not let thee] Representing unto us, that the faithfull man, in his victory, and in his infirmities which he acknowledges in it, cannot rest securely, untill God through his Spirit have assured him, that he is in his favour, that he accepteth of his faithfulnesse, and remits unto him his defects. It may very well be that Jacob did not understand all these mysteries, in that instant, and did not know his wrestler: but God inspired him with some words from whence grew occasion of instructing, and illuminating him Except thou] Jacobs intention indeed seemes to be no other, then to intreat his wrestler to go away from him in peace, and friend-ship. But the Son of God grants him, and makes him feele another blessing, namely a Divine one in the approbation of his faith, and in the assurednesse of his crown of glory, in the eternall sight of God, whereof he would also have his changed name to beare a signe.

Genesis 32:28

Israel] That is Gods valiant, or valiant with God; with which name Jacobs posteritie was rather honoured, than he himself, who did not leave his old name. And it seemeth that this name of strength and valour, was opposite to the name of Jacob, which shewed a certaine weaknesse of humane cunning and deceipt: Gen. 25, 26. and 27. 36 With God] in all the trialls which I have sent thee, wherein the outward appearance might make thee judg that I was against thee, and likewise in the oppositions which thou hast had with mn as Esau, Laban, &c. thou hast obtained victory, through thy faith in me: 1 John 5:4-5. now by these words Jacob was enlightened to know who it was that spake with him.

Genesis 32:29

Wherefore] Thou knowest my name well enough; but by that thou canst it not fully comprehend, the person of him that beares it: Judges 13:18. let it suffice thee to see some small beame of it, and feele some effect of my grace, who am thy true God, whom thou knowest and worshippest Blessed him] in some manner so evidently divine, that Jacob presently knew him: and with all apprehended the meaning of the aforesaid mysteries.

Genesis 32:30

Peniel] That is, the face, or sight of God Face] Not in a dreame, or in a vision, but with mine eyes, waking, and having the use of my senses, free and entire I have seen my God, in divine, and unspeakable glory; though indeed it was but in a bodily shape, and in a small beame, not in that essence, naked, and simple majestie of God, which is the true face of God, and is not visible in this world. Psalms 17:15. 1 Corinthians 13:12. 1 John 3:2 My life] I have not been cast down dead to the ground, by this presence: see upon Genesis 16:13.

Genesis 32:32

I herefore] This observance being onely for a remembrance, and not for any superstition, is not blamed Sinew] The Italian hath it, Muskle] Annot. the Hebrew word signifieth properly a Sinew, but because one doth not use to eat Sinewes it seemeth that it should be understood of the great muskle of the joint of the thigh, which from thence extendeth it selfe downwards. The Hebrew word signifieth, Borrowed, that is to say, applied on the out-side. Others expound, drawn u, or shrunk, namely by this accident.