Verse

Genesis 32:11

ESV Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.
NIV Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.
NASB Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
CSB Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children.
NLT O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children.
KJV Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
NKJV Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.

What does Genesis 32:11 mean?

Jacob continues his desperate, fearful prayer to God. He is terrified that Esau, his estranged brother, has set out with a party of 400 men to attack him and his family (Genesis 32:6). This possibility so frightens Jacob that he's split his entire caravan into two separate groups, so that if one is attacked, the other will be able to flee (Genesis 32:7–8). Thus far in his prayer, Jacob has acknowledged God's goodness to him. All of this serves more as Jacob reminding himself of God's promises than Jacob presuming to remind God of those same concerns.

Now Jacob makes his request. It's a model prayer for us, as well. Jacob tells God what he wants, even expressing his emotional state of mind. It's as honest as prayer gets: Please deliver me. Specifically, Jacob asks God to deliver him from Esau. Jacob tells God he is afraid that Esau will attack him, as well as attacking his wives and children.
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