Genesis 33:4

Translations

Modern

Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Traditional

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

Literal

And Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and he fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Latin

Currens itaque Esau obviam fratri suo, amplexatus est eum: stringensque collum ejus, et osculans flevit.

Original

Hebrew

English

Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Notes

Genesis 33:4

Esau’s friendly greeting was an answer to prayer (32:11). God had rescued Jacob from Esau’s revenge.

Genesis 33:3–13

Jacob was scared even though he had no reason to be. He tried to calm his brother by acting like a servant to a king:

he bowed (33:3),
used respectful titles (33:8, 13),
introduced people (33:6–7), and
gave gifts (33:8).

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 Leah Rachel Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 45:14–15
Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”
Genesis 46:29
Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
Acts 20:37
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
Genesis 45:2
But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.
Genesis 43:30
Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.
Job 2:12
When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
Nehemiah 1:11
O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)
Genesis 43:34
When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.

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 Jacob Kiss, Kiss of Peace Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Conscience of Jacob, After he Defrauded Esau Forgiveness: Esau Forgives Jacob God: Preserver: when he Met Esau Jacob: Reconciliation of, with Esau Kiss of Affection Leah: Flees with Jacob Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau Reconciliation: Between Esau and Jacob Salutations: Often Accompanied by Falling on the Neck and Kissing Weeping of Jacob and Esau

Genesis 33:4

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