Genesis 33:15

15 And Esau said, "Let me leave some of my people with you." But he said, "{What need is there}? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

Genesis 33:15 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 33:15

And Esau said, let me now leave with thee [some] of the folk
that [are] with me
To show him the way, and guard him on the road, and he appear the more honourable when he entered into Seir: and he said, what needeth it?
Jacob saw not the necessity of it; he knew the direct way very probably; he thought himself in no danger, since he was at peace with Esau, and he did not affect the grandeur of an equipage: let me find grace in the sight of my lord;
having his favour and good will, that was enough for him; and among the rest of the favours he received from him, he begged this might be added, that he might be excused retaining any of his retinue with him.

Genesis 33:15 In-Context

13 But he said to him, "My lord knows that the children [are] frail, and the flocks and the cattle [which are] nursing [are a concern] to me. Now [if] they drove them hard for a day all the flocks would die.

14 Let my lord pass on before his servant and I will move along slowly at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me, and at the pace of the children until I come to my lord in Seir."

15 And Esau said, "Let me leave some of my people with you." But he said, "{What need is there}? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

16 So Esau turned that day on his way to Seir.

17 But Jacob traveled on to Succoth, and he built for himself a house, and he made shelters for his livestock. Therefore he called the name of the place Succoth.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "What is this?"