Genesis 33:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down.

NIV: Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

NASB: And Leah likewise came forward with her children, and they bowed down; and afterward Joseph came forward with Rachel, and they bowed down.

CSB: Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down.

NLT: Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.

KJV: And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

NKJV: And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

Jacob's wives and children have been arranged behind him in distinct groups with some space between them (Genesis 33:1–3). The intent behind this was probably self-defense. Prior to this moment, Jacob was not sure if Esau was still intent on murder (Genesis 27:41–45). By placing himself in front of the family, and his favorite wife and son at the back, Jacob was preparing for the worst.

Secondary to this, the arrangement lets Jacob introduce his family to Esau in that same order of importance. Harsh as that may seem, blatant favoritism was not uncommon in this era. Nor was it unusual in Jacob's own family (Genesis 25:28).

First come Jacob's two servant wives, Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 30:3, 9). Like Jacob, they approach Esau bowing before him. Next Leah and her children approach, also bowing. Finally, Jacob's beloved Rachel and favorite son Joseph approach and bow.

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 11:08:38 PM