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)
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)
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to a surprising new part of the story.
"400 men" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
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)
"servant wives." This refers to Bilhah and Zilpah.
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Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob went alone in front of the others. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rpronouns)
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)
"meet Jacob"
This can be translated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "Esau put his arms around Jacob, hugged him, and kissed him"
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)
"he saw the women and children who were with Jacob"
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)
"servant wives." This refers to Bilhah and Zilpah.
This is a sign of humility and respect before another person. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)
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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?"
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)
The phrase "my master" is a polite way of referring to Esau. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
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)
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)
Here "hand" refers to Jacob. Alternate translation: "this gift that I am giving to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
This can be translated as a new sentence: "my hand. For certainly"
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)
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)
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 treated me very well" or "God has blessed me very much"
It was customary to refuse a gift first, but then to accept the gift before the giver was offended.
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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 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)
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)
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 speed the animals I am looking after can go"
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)
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)
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)
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Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name Sukkoth means 'shelters.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
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 the animals he looked after"
This starts a new part of the story. The author describes what Jacob did after he rested in Sukkoth.
"After Jacob left Paddan Aram"
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 set up his camp near"
"piece of land"
This is the name of a man. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Shechem is the name of a city and the name of a man.
"100" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
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)