Genesis 33:15

Translations

Modern

“Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”

Traditional

And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

Literal

And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” And he said, “Why this? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.”

Latin

Respondit Esau: Oro te, ut de populo qui mecum est, saltem socii remaneant viæ tuæ. Non est, inquit, necesse: hoc uno tantum indigeo, ut inveniam gratiam in conspectu tuo, domine mi.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”

Notes

Genesis 33:12–15

Even though Esau seemed generous, Jacob was cautious and cleverly avoided traveling with him.
until I come to my lord at Seir: Jacob's lie shows his old habit of using deceit instead of living by faith.

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 Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Ruth 2:13
“My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.”
Genesis 34:11
Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Grant me this favor, and I will give you whatever you ask.
Genesis 47:25
“You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
1 Samuel 25:8
Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”
2 Samuel 16:4
So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom

Glossary

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

Topics

Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau

Genesis 33:15

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