Genesis 33:1-11

Jacob Meets Esau

1 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants.
2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear.
3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down.
7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
8 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.
9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
10 “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.
11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Genesis 33:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 33

In this chapter we find Esau meeting Jacob in a friendly manner, contrary to his fears and expectation, having set his family in order in case of the worst, Ge 33:1-4; putting questions to Jacob concerning the women and children with him, who make their obeisance to him as Jacob had done before, Ge 33:5-7; and concerning the drove he met, which was a present to him, and which he refused at first to take, but at the urgency of Jacob accepted of it, Ge 33:8-11; proposing to travel with him, unto which Jacob desired to be excused, he, with the women, children, and flocks, not being able to keep pace with him, Ge 33:12-14, and to leave some of his men with him to guard him, which Jacob judged unnecessary, upon which they parted friendly, Ge 33:15,16; and the chapter is concluded with an account of Jacob's journey, first to Succoth, then to Shalem, where he pitched his tent, bought a field and built an altar, Ge 33:17-20.

Cross References 26

  • 1. S Genesis 32:6
  • 2. S Genesis 32:7
  • 3. ver 6
  • 4. S Genesis 30:24
  • 5. ver 6,7; S Genesis 17:3; Genesis 18:2; Genesis 37:7-10; Genesis 42:6; Genesis 43:26; Genesis 44:14; Genesis 48:12; 1 Samuel 20:41
  • 6. 2 Kings 5:10,14
  • 7. S Genesis 27:41-42
  • 8. S Genesis 29:11; Luke 15:20
  • 9. S Genesis 27:27; Genesis 45:14-15
  • 10. S Genesis 18:3; Genesis 48:9; Psalms 127:3; Isaiah 8:18
  • 11. ver 2
  • 12. S ver 3
  • 13. ver 2
  • 14. S ver 3
  • 15. S Genesis 30:24
  • 16. Genesis 32:14-16
  • 17. S Genesis 24:9; S Genesis 32:5
  • 18. ver 11; S Genesis 13:6
  • 19. S Genesis 30:27; S Genesis 32:5
  • 20. S Genesis 32:13
  • 21. S Genesis 16:13
  • 22. S Genesis 32:20
  • 23. 1 Samuel 25:27; 1 Samuel 30:26
  • 24. Genesis 30:43
  • 25. S ver 9
  • 26. Genesis 19:3
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