Genesis 32:2 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

God's host; so the angels are justly called for their great number, Daniel 7:10 Luke 2:13, excellent order, mighty power, and for their use and service to God, and to his church, for whose protection they are sent. See 2 Kings 6:17 Psalms 34:7. Mahanaim, i.e. two hosts; so called, either because the angels divided themselves into two companies, and placed themselves some before, others behind him, or some on each side of him, for his greater comfort and security; or because the angels made one host, and his family another.

Genesis 32:2

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