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Genesis 33

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Now Jacobיַעֲקֹ֜בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → looked upוַיִּשָּׂ֨אway·yiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → and sawוַיַּרְא֙way·yar — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → Esauעֵשָׂ֣ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → comingבָּ֔אbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toward him withוְעִמּ֕וֹwə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → fourאַרְבַּ֥ע’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → hundredמֵא֖וֹתmê·’ō·wṯ — hundred; a large complete numberH3967 — Full Word Study → menאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →. So he dividedוַיַּ֣חַץway·ya·ḥaṣ — to divide, split, or cut in halfH2673 — Full Word Study → the childrenהַיְלָדִ֗יםhay·lā·ḏîm — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → among Leahלֵאָה֙lê·’āh — Weary, TiredH3812 — Full Word Study →, Rachelרָחֵ֔לrā·ḥêl — Ewe; female sheepH7354 — Full Word Study →, and the twoשְׁתֵּ֥יšə·tê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → maidservantsהַשְּׁפָחֽוֹת׃haš·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ — Female servant or maidservant of lower statusH8198 — Full Word Study →. 2He putוַיָּ֧שֶׂםway·yā·śem — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → the maidservantsהַשְּׁפָח֛וֹתhaš·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ — Female servant or maidservant of lower statusH8198 — Full Word Study → and theirוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → childrenיַלְדֵיהֶ֖ןyal·ḏê·hen — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → in frontרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑הri·šō·nāh — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study →, Leahלֵאָ֤הlê·’āh — Weary, TiredH3812 — Full Word Study → and her childrenוִֽילָדֶ֙יהָ֙wî·lā·ḏe·hā — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → nextאַחֲרֹנִ֔ים’a·ḥă·rō·nîm — Last, final, or later in time or orderH314 — Full Word Study →, and Rachelרָחֵ֥לrā·ḥêl — Ewe; female sheepH7354 — Full Word Study → and Josephיוֹסֵ֖ףyō·w·sêp̄ — God will increaseH3130 — Full Word Study → at the rearאַחֲרֹנִֽים׃’a·ḥă·rō·nîm — Last, final, or later in time or orderH314 — Full Word Study →. 3But Jacob himself went onעָבַ֣ר‘ā·ḇar — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → aheadלִפְנֵיהֶ֑םlip̄·nê·hem — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → and bowedוַיִּשְׁתַּ֤חוּway·yiš·ta·ḥū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study → to the groundאַ֙רְצָה֙’ar·ṣāh — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → sevenשֶׁ֣בַעše·ḇa‘ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → timesפְּעָמִ֔יםpə·‘ā·mîm — time, occasion, or instance of occurrenceH6471 — Full Word Study → asעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → he approachedגִּשְׁתּ֖וֹgiš·tōw — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → his brotherאָחִֽיו׃’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →. 4Esau, howeverעֵשָׂ֤ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study →, ran to himוַיָּ֨רָץway·yā·rāṣ — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → and embraced himוַֽיְחַבְּקֵ֔הוּway·ḥab·bə·qê·hū — to embrace, clasp, or hold closelyH2263 — Full Word Study →, threw his arms aroundוַיִּפֹּ֥לway·yip·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → his neckצַוָּארָ֖וṣaw·wå̄·rå̄w — neck; the back of the neck as a place of burden-bearingH6677 — Full Word Study →, and kissed himוַׄיִּׄשָּׁׄקֵ֑ׄהׄוּׄway·yiš·šå̄·qē·hū — To kiss; to touch; to equip with weaponsH5401 — Full Word Study →. And they both weptוַיִּבְכּֽוּ׃way·yiḇ·kū — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study →. 5When Esau looked upוַיִּשָּׂ֣אway·yiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → and sawוַיַּ֤רְאway·yar — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the womenהַנָּשִׁים֙han·nā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → and childrenהַיְלָדִ֔יםhay·lā·ḏîm — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study →, he askedוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Whoמִי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → are theseאֵ֣לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has graciously givenחָנַ֥ןḥā·nan — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → your servantעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →.” 6Then the maidservantsהַשְּׁפָח֛וֹתhaš·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ — Female servant or maidservant of lower statusH8198 — Full Word Study → and theirהֵ֥נָּהhên·nāh — they (feminine); those women; themH2007 — Full Word Study → childrenוְיַלְדֵיהֶ֖ןwə·yal·ḏê·hen — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → approachedוַתִּגַּ֧שְׁןָwat·tig·gaš·nā — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → and bowed downוַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽיןָ׃wat·tiš·ta·ḥă·we·nā — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study →. 7Leahלֵאָ֛הlê·’āh — Weary, TiredH3812 — Full Word Study → and her childrenוִילָדֶ֖יהָwî·lā·ḏe·hā — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → alsoגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → approachedוַתִּגַּ֧שׁwat·tig·gaš — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → and bowed downוַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֑וּway·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study →, and thenוְאַחַ֗רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → Josephיוֹסֵ֛ףyō·w·sêp̄ — God will increaseH3130 — Full Word Study → and Rachelוְרָחֵ֖לwə·rā·ḥêl — Ewe; female sheepH7354 — Full Word Study → approachedנִגַּ֥שׁnig·gaš — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → and bowed downוַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study →. 8Whatמִ֥יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → do you mean by sending thisהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → wholeכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → companyהַמַּחֲנֶ֥הham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → to meet meפָּגָ֑שְׁתִּיpā·ḡā·šə·tî — To meet, encounter, or come togetherH6298 — Full Word Study →?” asked Esauוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “To findלִמְצֹא־lim·ṣō- — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → favorחֵ֖ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → in your sightבְּעֵינֵ֥יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, my lordאֲדֹנִֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →,” Jacob answered. 9I already haveיֶשׁ־yeš- — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → plentyרָ֑בrāḇ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study →, my brotherאָחִ֕י’ā·ḥî — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →,” Esauעֵשָׂ֖ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Keepיְהִ֥יyə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → what belongsאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → to you.” 10But Jacobיַעֲקֹ֗בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → insistedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Noאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study →, pleaseנָא֙nā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study →! Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → I have foundמָצָ֤אתִיmā·ṣā·ṯî — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → favorחֵן֙ḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → in your sightבְּעֵינֶ֔יךָbə·‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, then receiveוְלָקַחְתָּ֥wə·lā·qaḥ·tā — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → this giftמִנְחָתִ֖יmin·ḥā·ṯî — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → from my handמִיָּדִ֑יmî·yā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. Forעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → indeedכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, I have seenרָאִ֣יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → your faceפָנֶ֗יךָp̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and it is like seeingכִּרְאֹ֛תkir·’ōṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the faceפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, since you have received me favorablyוַתִּרְצֵֽנִי׃wat·tir·ṣê·nî — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study →. 11Pleaseנָ֤אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → acceptקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → my giftבִּרְכָתִי֙bir·ḵā·ṯî — Blessing; divine favor and benefitH1293 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → was broughtהֻבָ֣אתhu·ḇāṯ — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to you, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has been graciousחַנַּ֥נִיḥan·na·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → to me and I haveיֶשׁ־yeš- — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → all I needכֹ֑לḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →.” So Jacob pressedוַיִּפְצַר־way·yip̄·ṣar- — to press, urge, or insist persistentlyH6484 — Full Word Study → him until he acceptedוַיִּקָּֽח׃way·yiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →. 12Then Esau saidוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Let us be on our wayנִסְעָ֣הnis·‘āh — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study →, and I will goוְאֵלְכָ֖הwə·’ê·lə·ḵāh — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → ahead of youלְנֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃lə·neḡ·de·ḵā — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study →.” 13But Jacob repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “My lordאֲדֹנִ֤י’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → knowsיֹדֵ֙עַ֙yō·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the childrenהַיְלָדִ֣יםhay·lā·ḏîm — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → are frailרַכִּ֔יםrak·kîm — tender, soft, weak, or faint-heartedH7390 — Full Word Study →, and I must care forעָלָ֑י‘ā·lāy — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → sheepוְהַצֹּ֥אןwə·haṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → and cattleוְהַבָּקָ֖רwə·hab·bā·qār — cattle, herd, ox, bovine livestockH1241 — Full Word Study → that are nursing their youngעָל֣וֹת‘ā·lō·wṯ — to give suck, to nurse, to lactateH5763 — Full Word Study →. If they are driven hardוּדְפָקוּם֙ū·ḏə·p̄ā·qūm — to strike, knock, or beat persistentlyH1849 — Full Word Study → for even aאֶחָ֔ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → dayי֣וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the animalsהַצֹּֽאן׃haṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → will dieוָמֵ֖תוּwā·mê·ṯū — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. 14Pleaseנָ֥אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → let my lordאֲדֹנִ֖י’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → goיַעֲבָר־ya·‘ă·ḇār- — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → ahead ofלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → his servantעַבְדּ֑וֹ‘aḇ·dōw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. Iוַאֲנִ֞יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will continueאֶֽתְנָהֲלָ֣ה’eṯ·nā·hă·lāh — To lead, guide, or conduct with careH5095 — Full Word Study → on slowlyלְאִטִּ֗יlə·’iṭ·ṭî — Whispering charmer; one who speaks softly or secretlyH328 — Full Word Study →, at a comfortable paceלְרֶ֨גֶלlə·re·ḡel — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → for the livestockהַמְּלָאכָ֤הham·mə·lā·ḵāh — Work, labor, occupation; manufactured goods or craftH4399 — Full Word Study → and childrenהַיְלָדִ֔יםhay·lā·ḏîm — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study →, untilעַ֛ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → I comeאָבֹ֥א’ā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → my lordאֲדֹנִ֖י’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → at Seirשֵׂעִֽירָה׃śê·‘î·rāh — Seir, a mountain and region of EdomH8165 — Full Word Study →.” 15Let me leaveאַצִּֽיגָה־’aṣ·ṣî·ḡāh- — To station, set up, or establish in placeH3322 — Full Word Study → some ofמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → myאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → peopleהָעָ֖םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → with youעִמְּךָ֔‘im·mə·ḵā — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →,” Esauעֵשָׂ֔ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. But Jacob replied, “Whyלָ֣מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → do thatזֶּ֔הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study →? Let me findאֶמְצָא־’em·ṣā- — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → favorחֵ֖ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → in the sightבְּעֵינֵ֥יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of my lordאֲדֹנִֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →.” 16So thatהַה֥וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֨וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → Esauעֵשָׂ֛ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → started on his wayלְדַרְכּ֖וֹlə·ḏar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → backוַיָּשָׁב֩way·yā·šāḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → to Seirשֵׂעִֽירָה׃śê·‘î·rāh — Seir, a mountain and region of EdomH8165 — Full Word Study →, 17but Jacobוְיַעֲקֹב֙wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → went onנָסַ֣עnā·sa‘ — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → to Succothסֻכֹּ֔תָהsuk·kō·ṯāh — Booths or SheltersH5523 — Full Word Study →, where he builtוַיִּ֥בֶןway·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → a houseבָּ֑יִתbā·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → for himself and sheltersסֻכֹּ֔תsuk·kōṯ — A temporary shelter or booth constructed from branches or woven materialH5521 — Full Word Study → for his livestockוּלְמִקְנֵ֙הוּ֙ū·lə·miq·nê·hū — Livestock; herds and flocks as possessionsH4735 — Full Word Study →; that is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the placeהַמָּק֖וֹםham·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → was calledקָרָ֥אqā·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → Succothסֻכּֽוֹת׃סsuk·kō·wṯ — Booths or SheltersH5523 — Full Word Study →. 18After Jacobיַעֲקֹ֨בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → had comeוַיָּבֹא֩way·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → from Paddan-aramאֲרָ֑ם’ă·rām — Ancient Mesopotamian regionH758 — Full Word Study →, he arrivedבְּבֹא֖וֹbə·ḇō·’ōw — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → safelyשָׁלֵ֜םšā·lêm — Complete, whole, perfect, at peaceH8003 — Full Word Study → at the cityעִ֣יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Shechemשְׁכֶ֗םšə·ḵem — Shoulder; a cityH7927 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶ֣רֶץbə·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Canaanכְּנַ֔עַןkə·na·‘an — Canaan; the promised land; merchant activityH3667 — Full Word Study →, and he campedוַיִּ֖חַןway·yi·ḥan — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → just outsideפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the cityהָעִֽיר׃hā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 19And the plotחֶלְקַ֣תḥel·qaṯ — Smoothness; flattery; allotment of landH2513 — Full Word Study → of groundהַשָּׂדֶ֗הhaś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → whereאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he pitchedנָֽטָה־nā·ṭāh- — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → his tentאָהֳל֔וֹ’ā·ho·lōw — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study →, he purchasedוַיִּ֜קֶןway·yi·qen — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → fromמִיַּ֥דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → the sonsבְּנֵֽי־bə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Hamorחֲמ֖וֹרḥă·mō·wr — Donkey; father of ShechemH2544 — Full Word Study →, Shechem’sשְׁכֶ֑םšə·ḵem — Shoulder; a cityH7927 — Full Word Study → fatherאֲבִ֣י’ă·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study →, for a hundredבְּמֵאָ֖הbə·mê·’āh — hundred; a large complete numberH3967 — Full Word Study → pieces of silverקְשִׂיטָֽה׃qə·śî·ṭāh — piece of silver money; coinH7192 — Full Word Study →. 20Thereשָׁ֖םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → he set upוַיַּצֶּב־way·yaṣ·ṣeḇ- — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study → an altarמִזְבֵּ֑חַmiz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → and calledוַיִּ֨קְרָא־way·yiq·rā- — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → it El-Elohe-Israelאֵ֖ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Genesis 33
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Chapter Overview

Genesis 33 records one of Scripture's most moving reconciliations: the long-awaited reunion of Jacob and Esau after twenty years of separation. Having wrestled with God at Peniel and been transformed by that encounter, Jacob now faces his estranged brother with a humble heart. This chapter demonstrates the grace of God working through human repentance and the surprising power of forgiveness to heal even the deepest family wounds. As Jacob presents his gifts and his family, he exemplifies how genuine spiritual transformation leads to humble reconciliation with those we have wronged.

Verses 1–5: Jacob's Strategic Humility

Jacob's careful arrangement of his family reveals both prudence and deep humility. He places the handmaids and their children in front (v. 2), then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and Joseph—his most beloved—at the rear. This ordering protects those he treasures most, but it also reflects his humble willingness to sacrifice himself first. When Esau arrives with four hundred men, the sight is overwhelming, yet Jacob responds not with fear but with repeated acts of submission, bowing seven times as he approaches his brother (v. 3). This is not groveling born of desperation, but the reverent posture of a transformed man who has learned dependence upon God. In verse 5, when Esau asks about the women and children, Jacob's response is striking: "The children which God hath graciously given thy servant." Jacob credits God as the giver of his blessings—a fundamental shift from his earlier, scheming self.

Verses 6–11: The Language of Grace and Reconciliation

As each group of wives and children approaches Esau, they bow before him (vv. 6–7). This demonstrates genuine submission and respect. When Esau asks about the massive drove of animals Jacob sent ahead (v. 8), Jacob explains: "These are to find grace in the sight of my lord" (v. 8). The word rendered "grace" here carries the sense of favor or acceptance. Then comes the beautiful moment of reconciliation: Esau embraces Jacob, falls on his neck, and kisses him; both weep (v. 4). This is not the greeting of a revenge-seeker but a brother whose heart has been softened by time and, we may trust, by God's work. When Jacob presses his gifts upon Esau, saying "if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God" (v. 10), he expresses profound truth—in reconciliation with his brother, he glimpses the mercy of God Himself.

Verses 12–17: Parting with Blessing

Esau suggests they travel together, but Jacob wisely declines. His children are tender, his flocks nursing young; they cannot travel at Esau's pace (v. 13). Jacob's refusal is not cold but respectful—he asks Esau to go ahead while he follows at a pace his family can sustain. Remarkably, Esau offers to leave some of his men with Jacob for protection, but Jacob politely refuses this too, satisfied that he has found grace (v. 15). The reconciliation is genuine and complete. Jacob then journeys to Succoth, where he builds himself a house and shelters for his cattle (v. 17).

Verses 18–20: Worship and Settlement

Jacob comes to Shechem in Canaan, buys land (v. 19), and erects an altar called "El-Elohe-Israel"—meaning "God, the God of Israel" (v. 20). This act of worship acknowledges that his journey, his trials, and his reconciliation have all been governed by the hand of God.

Application for Today

Jacob's humility and willingness to seek reconciliation after wronging his brother challenge us to examine our own broken relationships. True spiritual transformation, like Jacob's wrestling with God, must issue in humble repentance and genuine attempts at peace with those we have hurt. We need not fear that humility will be exploited; when our hearts are surrendered to God, He often moves the hearts of others toward grace and forgiveness as well.

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