Genesis 33
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men - It has been generally supposed that Esau came with an intention to destroy his brother, and for that purpose brought with him four hundred armed men. But, 1. There is no kind of evidence of this pretended hostility. 2. There is no proof that the four hundred men that Esau brought with him were at all armed. 3. But there is every proof that he acted towards his brother Jacob with all openness and candour, and with such a forgetfulness of past injuries as none but a great mind could have been capable of. Why then should the character of this man be perpetually vilified? Here is the secret. With some people, on the most ungrounded assumption, Esau is a reprobate, and the type and figure of all reprobates, and therefore he must be everything that is bad. This serves a system; but, whether true or false in itself, it has neither countenance nor support from the character or conduct of Esau.
Open source ↗KINDNESS OF JACOB AND ESAU. (Gen 33:1-11) behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men--Jacob having crossed the ford and ranged his wives and children in order--the dearest last, that they might be the least exposed to danger--awaited the expected interview. His faith was strengthened and his fears gone (Psa 27:3). Having had power to prevail with God, he was confident of the same power with man, according to the promise (compare Gen 32:28).
Open source ↗And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked,.... After he had passed over the brook, and was come to his wives and children; which was done either accidentally or on purpose, to see if he could espy his brother coming: some think this denotes his cheerfulness and courage, and that he was now not distressed and dejected, as he had been before: and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men; see Gen 32:6, and he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids; some think he made four divisions of them; Leah and her children, Rachel and her son, Bilhah and hers, and Zilpah and hers: but others are of opinion there were but three: the two handmaids and their children in one division, Leah and her children in another, and Rachel and her son in the third; which seems to be confirmed in Gen 33:2, though the word for "divide" signifies to halve or divide into two parts; according to which, the division then must be of the two wives and their children in one company, and of the two handmaids and theirs in the other: and this Jacob did partly for decency and partly for safety.
Open source ↗Meeting with Esau. - As Jacob went forward, he saw Esau coming to meet him with his 400 mean. He then arranged his wives and children in such a manner, that the maids with their children went first, Leah with hers in the middle, and Rachel with Joseph behind, thus forming a long procession. But he himself went in front, and met Esau with sevenfold obeisance. ארצה ישׁתּחוּ does not denote complete prostration, like ארצה אפּים in Gen 19:1, but a deep Oriental bow, in which the head approaches the ground, but does not touch it. By this manifestation of deep reverence, Jacob hoped to win his brother's heart. He humbled himself before him as the elder, with the feeling that he had formerly sinned against him. Esau, on the other hand, "had a comparatively better, but not so tender a conscience." At the sight of Jacob he was carried away by the natural feelings of brotherly affection, and running up to him, embraced him, fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they both wept. The puncta extraordinaria above ישּׁקהוּ are probably intended to mark the word as suspicious. They "are like a note of interrogation, questioning the genuineness of this kiss; but without any reason" (Del.). Even if there was still some malice in Esau's heart, it was overcome by the humility with which his brother met him, so that he allowed free course to the generous emotions of his heart; all the more, because the "roving life" which suited his nature had procured him such wealth and power, that he was quite equal to his brother in earthly possessions.
Open source ↗Here, I. Jacob discovered Esau's approach, Gen 33:1. Some think that his lifting up his eyes denotes his cheerfulness and confidence, in opposition to a dejected countenance; having by prayer committed his case to God, he went on his way, and his countenance was no more sad, Sa1 1:18. Note, Those that have cast their care upon God may look before them with satisfaction and composure of mind, cheerfully expecting the issue, whatever it may be; come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob sets himself upon his watch-tower to see what answer God will give to his prayers, Hab 2:1. II. He put his family into the best order he could to receive him, whether he should come as a friend or as an enemy, consulting their decency if he came as a friend and their safety if he came as an enemy, Gen 33:1, Gen 33:2. Observe what a different figure these two brothers made. Esau is attended with a guard of 400 men, and looks big; Jacob is followed by a cumbersome train of women and children that are his care, and he looks tender and solicitous for their safety; and yet Jacob had the birthright, and was to have the dominion, and was every way the better man. Note, It is no disparagement to very great and good men to give a personal attendance to their families, and to their family affairs. Jacob, at the head of his household, set a better example than Esau at the head of his regiment. III. At their meeting, the expressions of kindness were interchanged in the best manner that could be between them. 1. Jacob bowed to Esau, Gen 33:3. Though he feared Esau as an enemy, yet he did obeisance to him as an elder brother, knowing and remembering perhaps that when Abel was preferred in God's acceptance before his elder brother Cain, yet God undertook fo…
Open source ↗33:1-17 Jacob’s long-anticipated meeting with his brother Esau turned out far better than he had feared. Esau’s changed heart is an example of how “God fights” (See 32:28). Earlier, he had cared little about the birthright (25:32-34); now he cared little for old grudges. Jacob recognized that God had intervened. 33:1-2 Jacob’s identity had been changed (32:27-28), but he had not yet learned to live up to the new name; he still showed the favoritism that divides families. He lined up his family and his possessions in the order of their importance to him, with the slave wives and their children in front (to face danger first), Leah’s group behind them, and Rachel and Joseph in the back, where it was safest.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֵשָׂו (ʻÊsâv, H6215) — Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָצָה (châtsâh, H2673) — to cut or split in two; to halve יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring לֵאָה (Lêʼâh, H3812) — Leah, a wife of Jacob רָחֵל (Râchêl, H7354) — Rachel, a wife of Jacob שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) לֵאָה (Lêʼâh, H3812) — Leah, a wife of Jacob אַחֲרוֹן (ʼachărôwn, H314) — hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western רָחֵל (Râchêl, H7354) — Rachel, a wife of Jacob יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗עֵשָׂו (ʻÊsâv, H6215) — Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) חָבַק (châbaq, H2263) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֵלֶּה (ʼêl-leh, H428) — these or those אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗לֵאָה (Lêʼâh, H3812) — Leah, a wife of Jacob יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites רָחֵל (Râchêl, H7354) — Rachel, a wife of Jacob
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… פָּגַשׁ (pâgash, H6298) — to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗עֵשָׂו (ʻÊsâv, H6215) — Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רָצָה (râtsâh, H7521) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בְּרָכָה (Bᵉrâkâh, H1293) — benediction; by implication prosperity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… כֹּל (kôl, H3605) — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) פָּצַר (pâtsar, H6484) — to peck at, i.e. (figuratively) stun or dull
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring רַךְ (rak, H7390) — tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… עוּל (ʻûwl, H5763) — to suckle, i.e. give milk דָּפַק (dâphaq, H1849) — to knock; by analogy, to press severely אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָהַל (nâhal, H5095) — properly, to run with asparkle, i.e. flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by… אַט (ʼaṭ, H328) — (as a noun) a necromancer (from their soft incantations), (as an adverb) gently רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֵׂעִיר (Sêʻîyr, H8165) — Seir, a mountain of Idumaea and its aboriginal occupants, also one in Palestine
Open source ↗Cross-references
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