Genesis 32:2

Modern

When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.

Traditional

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Literal

And Jacob said when he saw them, “This is the camp of God.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Latin

Quos cum vidisset, ait: Castra Dei sunt hæc: et appellavit nomen loci illius Mahanaim, id est, Castra.

Hebrew

English

When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.

This is the camp of God: Jacob probably saw the angels as a sign of God's protection, similar to the earlier vision when he left the land (28:10–22).
Mahanaim (meaning “two camps”): Jacob's group and the group of angels were together in one place.

Theme notes and profiles

2 Samuel 2:8
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
Joshua 21:38
And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,
Joshua 5:14
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”
1 Kings 2:8
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
Psalm 148:2
Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.
2 Samuel 17:24
Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 17:26–27
So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
Psalm 103:21
Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will.
1 Kings 4:14
Ahinadab son of Iddo in Mahanaim;
Song of Solomon 6:13
Come back, come back, O Shulammite! Come back, come back, that we may gaze upon you. Why do you look at the Shulammite, as on the dance of Mahanaim?

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Mahanaim: A place east of the Jordan; David's refuge