Genesis 32 in the early church
223 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 32, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32
Genesis 32:1
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:1 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 32:1 | Homilies on Leviticus 2.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 32:1–2 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 4.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 32:1 | Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 32:1–2 (32:2-Gen LXX) | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.11.4 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 32:1 | Letter 7 · Ammonas | allusion, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gen 32:1 | Letter 11 · Ammonas | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gen 32:1–2 | Letter 42 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Gen 32:1 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.1.12 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
| Gen 32:1 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.25 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:1 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.58.4 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Gen 32:1–9 | Genesis, lines 998–1023 · Cyprianus Gallus | allusion, high confidence | early 5th cent. |
Genesis 32:2
When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:2 | Homilies on Leviticus 2.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 32:2 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 0.78 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Gen 32:2 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 102 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Gen 32:2 | Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 32:2 | Letter 7 · Ammonas | allusion, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gen 32:2 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.26 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:2 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.58.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Genesis 32:3
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:3 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.9.1 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Gen 32:3–21 | Sermon 5.5 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Genesis 32:4
He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:4 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Genesis 32:7
In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:7 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Genesis 32:9
Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:9 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 32:9–11 | Demonstration 4.6 · Aphrahat | allusion, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 32:9–31 | Genesis, lines 1024–1048 · Cyprianus Gallus | allusion, high confidence | early 5th cent. |
Genesis 32:10
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:10 | Dialogue with Trypho 86.2 · Justin Martyr | allusion, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:10 | Demonstration 4.6 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 32:10 | Letter 118.7 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 32:10 | Letter 123.14 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
Genesis 32:11
Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:11 | 8 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 4th–5th century |
| Gen 32:11 | Oration III Against the Arians 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Gen 32:11 | Homilies on Matthew 50.1 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
Genesis 32:12
But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:12 | Tractates on the Psalms 138.39 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Genesis 32:13
Jacob spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:13 | On the Good of Patience 10 · Cyprian of Carthage | allusion, medium confidence | 256 |
| Gen 32:13 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:13 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.26 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
Genesis 32:21
So Jacob’s gifts went on before him, while he spent the night in the camp.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:21 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.28 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
Genesis 32:22
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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:22 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.6 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:22 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 32:22–31 (32:23-Gen LXX) | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.11.1 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 32:22 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.1.12 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
| Gen 32:22–32 | Against Jovinianus 1.19 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | 393 |
Genesis 32:23
He took them and sent them across the stream, along with all his possessions.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:23 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.6 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:23 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.30 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
Genesis 32:24
So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
Genesis 32:25
When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled.
Genesis 32:26
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:26 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.6 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:26 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.7 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:26 | On the Trinity 19 · Novatian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–250 |
| Gen 32:26 | Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 32:26 | Oration III Against the Arians 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Gen 32:26 | Treatise on the Mysteries 2.13.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–366 |
Genesis 32:27
“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:27 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.7 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:27 | Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”
Genesis 32:29
And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:29 | Dialogue with Trypho 58.7 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 32:29 | The Instructor 1.7.57 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Gen 32:29 | Three Letters to Sympronianus 2.2 · Pacian of Barcelona | allusion, low confidence | ca. 360-390 |
Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
Genesis 32:31
The sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:31 | On the Trinity 19 · Novatian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–250 |
| Gen 32:31 | Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 32:31 (32:32 LXX) | Oration III Against the Arians 16 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Gen 32:31 (32:32 LXX) | On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia 52 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | 359 (additions 361) |
| Gen 32:31 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.30 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:31 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.31 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:31 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.6.4 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Genesis 32:32
Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was struck near that tendon.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 32:32 | Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 313–324 |
| Gen 32:32 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.31 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Gen 32:32 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.17.3 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Gen 32:32 | Genesis, lines 1049–1074 · Cyprianus Gallus | allusion, high confidence | early 5th cent. |