Genesis 32:1--33:20

The overall literary arrangement of Genesis 32:1—33:20 ("Jacob Receives a New Name") is as follows:

A   Jacob continues his journey to Canaan (1a)
     B    The angels of God encounter Jacob and he names the place "two camps" (1b-2)
            C     Jacob's embassy to Esau (3-6)
                    D    In fear Jacob prepares to meet Esau (7-21)
                          E    Jacob, his wives and children cross the Jabbok (22-23)
                                 X    JACOB WRESTLES WITH A "MAN" AND
                                       HIS NAME IS CHANGED TO ISRAEL (24-32)
                          E'   Jacob prepares his wives and children to meet Esau (33:1-2)
                    D'   Jacob meets Esau and bows before him seven times (3)
             C'    Jacob and Esau greet each other (4-7)
       B'   Jacob explains his "two camps" to Esau, then depart from one another (8-16)
A'    Jacob arrives in Canaan (17-20)

I.   Literary Arrangement of Genesis 32:1-32 ("Jacob at Jabbok, Israel at Peniel")

A    Angels of God encounter Jacob and then he renames the place "Mahanaim" (1-2)
      B    Jacob sends messengers, listing his possessions to Esau (3-8)
            X    JACOB'S PRAYER TO THE LORD (9-12)
      B'    Jacob sends messengers and gifts to Esau (13-21)
A'   A "man" opposes Jacob, blesses and changes his name to Israel, 
      place is renamed "Peniel" (22-31)

Editorial Note: Israel (the nation) did not eat the sinew of the hip because it was touched during the struggle (32).

A.  Genesis 32:9-12.  A chiastic substructure of Genesis 32:1-32.
      This is an expansion of "X" of Genesis   32:1-32.

Since this structure is a subset of a larger unit, all the letters are in lower case.

The Literary Arrangement of Genesis 32:9-12
"Jacob's Prayer to the LORD"

Introduction: Jacob's invocation (9a)

a    God's Word to Jacob while in Haran (9b)
      b    God's promise of prosperity to Jacob (9c)
            c     Jacob's confession (10a)
                  d    Jacob left Canaan with only a staff (10b)
                        x    THE JORDAN RIVER: A PLACE OF CONTRAST (10c)
                  d'   Jacob returns to Canaan with "two camps" (10d)
            c'   Jacob's petition (11)
      b'   God's promise of prosperity to Jacob (12a)
a'   God's Word to Jacob while in Canaan (12b)

B.  Genesis 32:22-32.  A chiastic substructure of Genesis 32:1-32.

The Literary Arrangement of Genesis 32:22-32
"Jacob's Confrontation with God"

A    Jacob did not cross the Jabbok at night, but remained alone (22-24a)
      B    A "man" wrestles with Jacob (24b-25)
             C   The "man's request to Jacob (26a)
                   D    Jacob requests a blessing (26b)
                         E    The "man" asks Jacob his name (27a)
                               X     JACOB'S NAME IS CHANGED FROM
                                      "JACOB" TO "ISRAEL" (27b-28)
                         E'   Jacob asks the "man" his name (29a-b)
                   D'   The "man" blesses Jacob (29c)
            C'   Jacob's response by naming the place "Peniel" (30a)
      B'   Jacob says he has seen God "face to face" (30b)
A'   The sun rose upon Jacob as he crossed over Penuel [alone] (31)

Editorial Note: In commemoration of Jacob's confrontation with God, the descendants
                     of Israel did not eat the sinew of the hip because it was touched in the
                     struggle (32).

II.  Literary Arrangement of Genesis 33:1-20 ("Reconciliation: Jacob Returns Esau's Blessing")

A    Jacob and Esau's greeting (1-7)
      B    Esau's refusal of Jacob's present [minkah] (8-9)
            C     Jacob's request of finding grace [hen] before Esau (10a)
                  D     Jacob asks Esau to take his present [minha] (10b)
                         X    "I SEE YOUR FACE AS ONE SEES THE FACE OF GOD
                               AND YOU HAVE RECEIVED ME GRACIOUSLY" (10c-d)
                  D'    Jacob requests Esau to take his blessing [berakah] (11a)
            C'   God has dealt with Jacob graciously [hanan] (11b-c)
      B'   Esau's acceptance of the present [object minkah omitted] (11d)
A'   Jacob and Esau's departure from one another (12-16)

Epilogue (17-20)