Genesis 32:18

Modern

…then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”

Traditional

Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

Literal

Then you shall say, ‘To your servant Jacob; it is a gift, sent to my lord, to Esau. And behold, he is also behind us.’”

Latin

…respondebis: Servi tui Jacob, munera misit domino meo Esau, ipse quoque post nos venit.

Hebrew

English

…then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”

Taking a large portion of the wealth God had blessed him with (some 550 animals), Jacob prepared a gift to appease Esau’s anger and gain his favor.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 32:4–5
He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes