Genesis 32:13

13 So he spent that night there, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,

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 Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children.

12 Yet you have said, "I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.' "

13 So he spent that night there, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,

14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,

15 thirty milch camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.