Genesis 32:11

11 Please save me from my brother Esau. I am afraid he will come and kill all of us, even the mothers with 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 Then Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham! God of my father Isaac! Lord, you told me to return to my country and my family. You said that you would treat me well.

10 I am not worthy of the kindness and continual goodness you have shown me. The first time I traveled across the Jordan River, I had only my walking stick, but now I own enough to have two camps.

11 Please save me from my brother Esau. I am afraid he will come and kill all of us, even the mothers with the children.

12 You said to me, 'I will treat you well and will make your children as many as the sand of the seashore. There will be too many to count.'"

13 Jacob stayed there for the night and prepared a gift for Esau from what he had with him: