Genesis 32:5

5 I own cattle, donkeys, flocks, men servants, and women servants. I'm sending this message to my master now to ask that he be kind.'"

Genesis 32:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:5

And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and
womenservants
This he would have said, lest he should think he was come to ask anything of him, and put himself and his family upon him; and lest he should treat him with contempt, as a poor mean beggarly creature, and be ashamed of the relation he stood in to him: and I have sent to tell my lord;
of his coming, and of his state and circumstances: that I may find grace in thy sight;
share in his good will, which was all he wanted, and that friendship, harmony, and brotherly love, might subsist between them, which he was very desirous of.

Genesis 32:5 In-Context

3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau, toward the land of Seir, the open country of Edom.

4 He gave them these orders: "Say this to my master Esau. This is the message of your servant Jacob: ‘I've lived as an immigrant with Laban, where I've stayed till now.

5 I own cattle, donkeys, flocks, men servants, and women servants. I'm sending this message to my master now to ask that he be kind.'"

6 The messengers returned to Jacob and said, "We went out to your brother Esau, and he's coming to meet you with four hundred men."

7 Jacob was terrified and felt trapped, so he divided the people with him, and the flocks, cattle, and camels, into two camps.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or you