Genesis 32:21

21 So Jacob’s gifts went on before him, while he spent the night in the camp.

Genesis 32:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:21

So went the present over before him
Over the brook Jabbok, after mentioned, the night before Jacob did: and himself lodged that night in the company;
or "in the camp" ^F3, either in the place called Mahanaim, from the hosts or crowds of angels seen there; or rather in his own camp, his family and servants; or, as Aben Ezra distinguishes, in the camp with his servants, and not in his tent, lest his brother should come and smite him; and so Nachmanides.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hnxmb) "in castris", Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt; "in acie sua", Junius & Tremellius; "in exercitu", Piscator.

Genesis 32:21 In-Context

19 He also instructed the second, the third, and all those following behind the herds: “When you meet Esau, you are to say the same thing to him.

20 You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me. ”

21 So Jacob’s gifts went on before him, while he spent the night in the camp.

22 During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, along with all his possessions.