Verse

Genesis 32:23

ESV He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had.
NIV After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions.
NASB He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.
CSB He took them and sent them across the stream, along with all his possessions.
NLT After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions.
KJV And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
NKJV He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.

What does Genesis 32:23 mean?

Jacob has enacted a plan to send gifts to his estranged brother, Esau (Genesis 32:13–21). Instead of waiting for daylight, Jacob has gathered his wives and children and crossed the Jabbok River in the middle of the night to head in the direction of his approaching brother Esau. In fact, this verse reveals, that Jacob sent everything he had left in the camp across the river. Everything was packed up and moved out.

This verse adds some important details to the story. Jacob, either did not cross the river himself, or crossed back over to the other side. In either case, he remained behind alone. Scripture does not give an explicit reason for this decision. Perhaps Jacob intended to pray alone. Perhaps he just wanted to be alone for a while. It's also possible that Jacob saw the stranger, mentioned in the next verse, and sensed that a confrontation was imminent. In any case, this passage is clear that Jacob, and Jacob alone, will be present for the next series of events.
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