Genesis 33:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

NIV: Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. 'Who are these with you?' he asked. Jacob answered, 'They are the children God has graciously given your servant.'

NASB: He raised his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, 'Who are these with you?' So he said, 'The children whom God has graciously given your servant.'

CSB: When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, "Who are these with you? "He answered, "The children God has graciously given your servant."

NLT: Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, 'Who are these people with you?' 'These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,' Jacob replied.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

Prior verses broke twenty years' worth of tension, between brothers split by betrayal and threats of violence (Genesis 27:41–45). Jacob was so concerned about this meeting that he'd split his caravan (Genesis 32:7–8), flattered Esau with gifts (Genesis 32:13–15), and even arranged his immediate family to enable escape (Genesis 33:1–3). After all that, Esau turns out to be happy to see his brother, running into his arms and weeping (Genesis 33:4).

Now, Esau looks up and notices Jacob's wives and children approaching in several groups. He asks who they are. Jacob tells his brother these are the children God has graciously given to "your servant." This insistent use of humility might be Jacob's way of expressing apology for his past behavior (Genesis 27:19). Or, it might be simple politics and cultural custom.

Esau would most likely be impressed by what he sees. Jacob left home with nothing—sleeping alone on rocks (Genesis 28:10–11). To return twenty years later with immense wealth, and 11 sons, would be seen as a significant achievement.

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.