Genesis 33:1

Translations

Modern

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.

Traditional

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.

Literal

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and he saw, and behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children to Leah and to Rachel and to the two maidservants.

Latin

Elevans autem Jacob oculos suos, vidit venientem Esau, et cum eo quadringentos viros: divisitque filios Liæ et Rachel, ambarumque famularum:

Original

Hebrew

English

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.

Notes

Genesis 33:1–2

God had changed Jacob's identity (32:27–28), but he had not yet learned to live in line with his new name. He still showed favoritism (treating some family members better than others), which can divide families.

He arranged his family and possessions according to their importance to him. He placed the servant wives and their children in front, where they would face danger first. Leah and her children were behind them. Rachel and Joseph were at the back, where it was safest.

Genesis 33:1–17

Jacob had long expected to meet his brother Esau, and the meeting turned out much better than he feared. Esau’s changed heart shows how “God fights” for his people (See 32:28). God works powerfully for his people when they trust him.

Earlier, Esau did not value his birthright (the rights and blessing of the firstborn son; 25:32–34). Now he no longer held on to old anger. Jacob understood that God had stepped in and changed the situation.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Isaac Jacob Leah Rachel Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 32:6–7
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.”
Genesis 27:41–42
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
Genesis 32:16
He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Leah: Wife of Jacob; mother of six sons and Dinah Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Conscience of Jacob, After he Defrauded Esau Esau: Meets Jacob on the Return of the Latter from Haran Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau

Genesis 33:1

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