Similarities to the first encounter

A comparison with Jacob’s earlier encounter with angels at Bethel (<a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A10-22">28:10-22</a>) when he left the land proves most instructive.

<ul>

<li>The expression “the angels of God” occurs only in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A1" >32:1</a> and in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A12">28:12</a> in the Old Testament. </li>

<li>The Hebrew pāgaʿ with b̠e occurs in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A11">28:11</a> (“reached”) and in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A1" >32:1</a> (“met”). </li>

<li>Zeh (“this”) is used four times in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A16-17">28:16-17</a> and is an important reference in Jacob’s response in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A2">32:2</a>. (Cf., e.g., “This is the gate of heaven,” <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A17">28:17</a>, with This is the camp of God! <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A2">32:2</a>) </li>

<li>In both cases Jacob interpreted what he had seen before naming it (<a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A17">28:17</a>; <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A2">32:2</a>), and in Hebrew the identical expression is used in the naming of both places (<a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A19">28:19</a>; <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A2">32:2</a>). </li>

<li>And finally hālak and derek (“to go on one’s way,” i.e., “to take a journey”) are used in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+28%3A20">28:20</a> and <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+32%3A1" >32:1</a>.</li>

</ul>

Obviously the two passages are correlated. What took place at the naming of Bethel on Jacob’s way out of the land now took place at the naming of Mahanaim on his way back into the land. His glimpse of the angels of God assured him once again of divine protection accompanying him. And the angels welcomed him on his return to the land of promise. This reassurance came at a time when Jacob sorely needed it.

When God’s work is involved, the conflict is spiritual, not physical. This was true for Jacob, it was true for Israel, and it is true today. No human effort can be sufficient for these things. The source of defense and the means of victory come from God’s ministering angels.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.