Genesis 33:6-16

6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.

7 And Leah also with her children came near and bowed themselves; and after these came Joseph and Rachel near, and they bowed themselves.

8 And he said, "What meanest thou by all this drove which I met?" And he said, "These are to find grace in the sight of my lord."

9 And Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what thou hast unto thyself."

10 And Jacob said, "Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; for therefore I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee, because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." And he urged him, and he took it.

12 And he said, "Let us take our journey; and let us go, and I will go before thee."

13 And he said unto him, "My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me; and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on gently, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children are able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir."

15 And Esau said, "Let me now leave with thee some of the folk who are with me." And he said, "What need is there? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord."

16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.

Genesis 33:6-16 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.