Keraia
Genesis 33

Genesis 33:5

Jacob Meets Esau · Genesis 33:1–17
Read Genesis 33

Translations

Modern
When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
Traditional
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
Literal
And he lifted up his eyes and he saw the women and the children and he said, “Who are these with you?” And he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
Latin
Levatisque oculis, vidit mulieres et parvulos earum, et ait: Quid sibi volunt isti? et si ad te pertinent? Respondit: Parvuli sunt quos donavit mihi Deus servo tuo.

Original

Hebrew
English
When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

Notes

Genesis 33:5

your servant: When speaking with his brother, Jacob kept calling himself Esau’s servant (also 33:14). He referred to Esau as his lord (33:8, 13–15). Esau called Jacob “my brother” (33:9). Jacob acted carefully to avoid any possible attack from Esau. In doing this, he went against the earlier oracle (a message from God about the future; 25:23).

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:

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Children are a Gift from God Children: The Gift of God Conscience of Jacob, After he Defrauded Esau God: Preserver: when he Met Esau Leah: Flees with Jacob Parents: Receive Their Children from God Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau Servants: The Term often Used to Express Humility