Genesis 32:22-31

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

Before Jacob’s wrestling match (vv. 24–30), he has a vision of angels at Mahanaim (vv. 1–2). On the surface this brief report seems to be disjunctive. Nevertheless, several terms tie these two passages into the flow of the Jacob narrative. Jacob meets the angels or messengers of God (mal’ake ’elohim) , and he sends “messengers” (mal’akim) to meet Esau. There is a play on “camp” ( makhaneh; 32:2, 8, 10, 21) and “gift” ( minkhah; 32:13, 20; 33:8, 10). Two terms for grace reverberate the sounds from these last two words: khanan (“give graciously,” 33:5) and hen (“favor,” 33:8, 10). Throughout this story “face” (panim) is a key term (32:19–20, 30; 33:10; also used in a preposition in 32:17; 33:3, 14). It conveys Jacob’s deep anxiety as he anticipates seeing Esau’s face. After the wrestling match Jacob claims to have seen God face to face; therefore he names that place Peniel (“face of God,” 32:30). Then, seeking to appease Esau (lit.

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