Genesis 33

Genesis 33 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter
Jacob's fear

Jacob feared his brother. He showed Esau great respect and sought to protect his family from Esau's power. He did not fear and trust Yahweh. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#fear and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#trust)

Favoritism

Jacob showed favoritism towards Rachel and Joseph. He arranged the family according to those he loved the most. Rachel and Joseph were the most protected from a potential attack by Esau. He would have rather had everyone else die, in order to spare their lives. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#favor and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

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Genesis 33:1

behold

The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to a surprising new part of the story.

four hundred men

"400 men" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

Jacob divided the children ... female servants

This does not mean Jacob divided the children evenly so that each woman had the same amount of children with her. Jacob divided the children so that each one went with his or her mother. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

female servants

"servant wives." This refers to Bilhah and Zilpah.

Genesis 33:2

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Genesis 33:3

He himself went on ahead of them

Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob went alone in front of the others. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rpronouns)

He bowed

Here the word "bow" means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 33:4

meet him

"meet Jacob"

embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him

This can be translated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "Esau put his arms around Jacob, hugged him, and kissed him"

Then they wept

This can be translated more explicitly. Alternate translation: "Then Esau and Jacob cried because they were happy to see each other again" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Genesis 33:5

he saw the women and the children

"he saw the women and children who were with Jacob"

The children whom God has graciously given your servant

The phrase "your servant" is a polite way for Jacob to refer to himself. Alternate translation: "These are the children God has kindly given me, your servant" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)

Genesis 33:6

female servants

"servant wives." This refers to Bilhah and Zilpah.

bowed down

This is a sign of humility and respect before another person. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 33:7

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Genesis 33:8

What do you mean by all these groups that I met?

The phrase "all these groups" refers to the groups of servants that Jacob sent to give gifts to Esau. Alternate translation: "Why did you send all of those different groups to meet me?"

To find favor in the sight of my master

The phrase "find favor" is an idiom which means to be approved of by someone. Also, sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "So that you, my master, would be pleased with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

my master

The phrase "my master" is a polite way of referring to Esau. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)

Genesis 33:9

I have enough

The word "animals" or "property" is understood. Alternate translation: "I have enough animals" or "I have enough property" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Genesis 33:10

if I have found favor in your eyes

The phrase "found favor" is an idiom which means to be approved of by someone. Here "eyes" are a metonym for sight, and sight is a metaphor representing his evaluation. Alternate translation: "if you are pleased with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

my gift from my hand

Here "hand" refers to Jacob. Alternate translation: "this gift that I am giving to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

my hand, for indeed

This can be translated as a new sentence: "my hand. For certainly"

I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God

The meaning of this simile is unclear. Possible meanings are 1) Jacob is happy that Esau has forgiven him like God has forgiven him or 2) Jacob is amazed to see his brother again like he was amazed to see God or 3) Jacob is humbled to be in Esau's presence like he was humbled to be in God's presence. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

I have seen your face

Here "face" stands for Esau. It may be best to translate as "face" because of the importance of the word "face" here with "face of God" and "face to face" in Genesis 32:30. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

Genesis 33:11

that was brought to you

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that my servants brought to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

God has dealt graciously with me

"God has treated me very well" or "God has blessed me very much"

Thus Jacob urged him, and Esau accepted it

It was customary to refuse a gift first, but then to accept the gift before the giver was offended.

Genesis 33:12

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Genesis 33:13

My master knows

This is a polite and formal way of referring to Esau. Alternate translation: "You, my master, know" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)

the children are young

The meaning can be stated more explicitly. Alternate translation: "the children are too young to travel fast" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

If they are driven hard even one day

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If we force them to go too fast even for one day" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

Genesis 33:14

Please let my master go on ahead of his servant

This is a polite and formal way of Jacob referring to himself. Alternate translation: "My lord, I am your servant. Please go ahead of me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)

at the pace of the livestock that are before me

"at the speed the animals I am looking after can go"

Seir

This is a mountainous area in the region of Edom. See how you translated this in Genesis 32:3. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 33:15

Why do that?

Jacob uses a question to emphasize that Esau does not need to leave men. Alternate translation: "Do not do that!" or "You do not need to do that!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

my lord

This is a polite and formal way of referring to Esau. Alternate translation: "you, my lord" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)

Genesis 33:16

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Genesis 33:17

Sukkoth

Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name Sukkoth means 'shelters.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

built himself a house

It is implied that the house is also for his family. Alternate translation: "built a house for himself and his family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

for his livestock

"for the animals he looked after"

Genesis 33:18

General Information:

This starts a new part of the story. The author describes what Jacob did after he rested in Sukkoth.

When Jacob came from Paddan Aram

"After Jacob left Paddan Aram"

When Jacob ... he arrived ... He camped

This only mentions Jacob because he is the leader of the family. It is implied that his family was with him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

He camped near

"He set up his camp near"

Genesis 33:19

piece of ground

"piece of land"

Hamor

This is the name of a man. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Shechem's father

Shechem is the name of a city and the name of a man.

a hundred

"100" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

Genesis 33:20

El Elohe Israel

Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name El Elohe Israel means 'God, the God of Israel.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)