Genesis 32:11

11 Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children.

Genesis 32:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:11

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from
the hand of Esau
For though his brother, it was his brother Esau, that had formerly vowed revenge upon him, and had determined to kill him, ( Genesis 27:41 ) , and he knew not but that he was still of the same mind; and now having an opportunity, and in his power to do it, being accompanied with four hundred men, he feared he would attempt it; and therefore entreats the Lord, who was greater than he, to deliver him from falling into his hands, and being destroyed by him: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with
the children;
for whom Jacob seems to be more concerned than for himself; the phrase denotes the utter destruction of his family, and the cruelty and inhumanity that would be exercised therein; which shows what an opinion he had of his brother, and of his savage disposition.

Genesis 32:11 In-Context

9 And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, 'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.'
10 I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me - two camps!
11 Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children.
12 You yourself said, 'I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"
13 He slept the night there. Then he prepared a present for his brother Esau from his possessions:
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.