Genesis 32:13

13 Jacob spent the night there. He chose a gift for his brother Esau from what he had with him.

Genesis 32:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:13

And he lodged there that same night
At Mahanaim, or some place near it: and took of that which came to his hand;
not what came next to hand, for what he did was with great deliberation, judgment, and prudence; wherefore the phrase signifies what he was possessed of, or was in his power, as Jarchi rightly interprets it: a present for Esau his brother:
in order to pacify him, gain his good will, and avert his wrath and displeasure, see ( Proverbs 18:16 ) ; though Jacob had prayed to God, committed himself and family to him, and left all with him, yet he thought it proper to make use of all prudential means and methods for his safety: God frequently works in and by means made use of: the account of the present follows.

Genesis 32:13 In-Context

11 "Please save me from the hand of my brother Esau. I'm afraid he'll come and attack me and the mothers with their children.

12 But you have said, 'I will certainly give you success. I will make your children as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. People will not be able to count them.' "

13 Jacob spent the night there. He chose a gift for his brother Esau from what he had with him.

14 He chose 200 female goats and 20 male goats. He chose 200 female sheep and 20 male sheep.

15 He chose 30 female camels with their little ones. He chose 40 cows and ten bulls. And he chose 20 female donkeys and ten male donkeys.