Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 32:23

"And he took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had." — Genesis 32:23 (ASV)

The brook.—In reality, the ravine or valley (Arabic, wady). Jacob, whose administrative powers were of a very high character, sees his wives, children, and cattle pass not only through the ford but also across the valley onto the high ground beyond. Remaining until the very last, he is left alone on the south side of the torrent, though still in the ravine across which the rest had made their way.

The definite proof that Jacob remained on the south side lies in the fact that Peniel belonged to the tribe of Gad. Besides this, there could be no reason why he should recross the rapid river once he had gone through it. Probably, the idea has arisen from taking the word brook in Genesis 32:23 in too narrow a sense. In reality, it is the word translated valley in Genesis 26:17, but it is used only for such valleys or ravines as have been formed by the action of a mountain torrent. When Jacob had seen his wives and herds safe on the top of the southern ridge, the deep valley would have been the very place for this solitary struggle. This ravine, we are told, has a width of from four to six miles.