Genesis 33:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

NIV: Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.' And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

NASB: Please accept my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty.' So he urged him, and he accepted it.

CSB: Please take my present that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have everything I need." So Jacob urged him until he accepted.

NLT: Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.' And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.

KJV: Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

NKJV: Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.

Jacob continues to urge his brother Esau to accept his large gift of livestock (Genesis 32:13–17). At the time, that offering was partly motivated by fear that Esau was still committed to revenge (Genesis 27:41–45; 32:6–8). As it turned out, Esau was happy to be reunited with his estranged brother (Genesis 33:4).

In the prior verse Jacob referred to his gift of livestock to Esau as min'hāt 'ani, meaning "my gift." Now, as he presses Esau to accept it, he calls it bir'kāt 'ani, meaning "my blessing." This might mean Jacob intends this as partial restitution for stealing their father's blessing twenty years ago (Genesis 27:19–29). He has been blessed by God and wants Esau to share in at least part of this prosperity.

Jacob also mirrors Esau's language, saying he has enough because God has dealt graciously with him. Jacob credits God with his success and his ability to give generously a portion of what he has acquired to his brother.

In that era, it might have been common to make a show of refusal and insistence when giving gifts. However, it's also possible that Jacob wasn't sure he could really trust Esau's forgiveness unless Esau accepted Jacob's gift. Esau's agreement to take the gift would put an obligation on his honor, making it very difficult for him to justify any later violence against his brother.

Genesis 33:1–11 describes the long awaited meeting between Jacob and Esau. Jacob maintains his attitude as Esau's cautious servant throughout, though Esau himself embraces his twin warmly and they weep together at their reunion. Esau hesitates, but Jacob insists his brother receive the enormous gift of livestock he has given. Esau does so. The two will part on good terms.

All the preparations to meet Esau have been made. Jacob has both the promise of the Lord's protection and a plan. Now the moment comes. Jacob approaches, repeatedly bowing low, until Esau finally runs to embrace and kiss his brother. They weep together. Esau meets Jacob's family. Though he initially refuses Jacob's enormous gift, Jacob urges him to take it as a sign of Esau's favor for him. Jacob soon buys land and sets up camp outside the city of Shechem, building an altar to the Lord there.

Jacob has just left a miraculous encounter with God, which left him with a new name and a limp (Genesis 32). When finally faced with meeting Esau, he is pleasantly surprised. Esau runs to Jacob to hug and kiss him. They weep together. After meeting Jacob's family, Esau tries to refuse Jacob's enormous gift. Jacob insists, saying that seeing Esau's face is as seeing the face of God. Jacob, refuses to travel back to Seir and instead journeys to Shechem. This sets up a tragic instance of assault and revenge, involving Jacob's daughter, Dinah.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.