Genesis 33:8 NIV

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 33:8-15

Jacob presses his gifts upon Esau v. 8. And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. Jacob's answer to Esau's question as to the meaning of the train of small caravans which he had met is not an act of fawning servility, of cringing humility, but rather an expression by which he hoped to be restored fully to the favor of his brother, somewhat strongly accented, perhaps, after the Oriental manner. v. 9. And Esau... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 33:1-16

FIFTH SECTIONJacob’s return. His fear of Esau. His night wrestlings with God. Peniel. The name Israel. Meeting and reconciliation with Esau. Genesis 32:3 to Genesis 33:163And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned [have been a stranger] with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 33:1-17

Jacob and Esau Reconciled Genesis 33:1-17 Many things, like this meeting with Esau, are worse in anticipation than in actuality. The brothers were on the same old terms as before that filching of Isaac’s blessing. The holy transactions of the previous night had induced this change in the atmosphere. If our ways please the Lord, He will make our enemies to be at peace with us. We must win power with God, by yielding to Him, before we can have power with our Esaus and prevail. When you fear... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Genesis 33:1-20

The morning broke and Jacob-or Israel as he had now become- went forward to meet Esau. How strange a mixture there was in the make-up of this man is once more clearly evident. It is patent that fear of his brother still lurked in his heart and there is a touch of nobleness in his going forward alone to meet him, having set his loved ones behind in two companies. Moreover, his love of Rachel is again manifest as he put her in the second company, so that if Esau met him in anger she, at any... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:8

‘And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “To find favour in the sight of my lord.” ’ Esau here refers to the droves which had been sent in front (Genesis 32:13-21), some of which at least he had come across. Jacob makes no pretence. They were as gifts to an important person in order to ensure favourable treatment. Note the use of ‘my lord.’ The watchful subservience is still there. Outwardly all is well but Jacob is well aware that what is on the surface is... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:1-20

Genesis 33. The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau. Genesis 33:1-Esther : is in the main from J, but bits of E have been woven in ( Genesis 33:5 b, Genesis 33:10 b, Genesis 33:11 a). The actual course of events, however, is not clear. According to E, Jacob had prepared a very costly present for Esau, and reading our narrative as if it carried on Genesis 32:13 b – Genesis 32:21, we should gain the impression that at the point reached in Genesis 33:1 Esau had already received the gifts... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Genesis 33:8

He knew his meaning before from the servants’ mouths; but he asks, that he might both be more certainly informed of the truth, and have an occasion for a civil refusal of the gift. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Genesis 33:1-16

CRITICAL NOTES.—Genesis 33:3. Bowed himself to the ground seven times.] “He bowed himself after the Eastern fashion, bending the body so that the face nearly touches the ground. The text gives us to understand that these obeisances were not made on the same spot, but one after another as he approached Esau.” (Alford.)—Genesis 33:5. Who are those with thee?] Heb. Who these to thee?—pertaining to thee.—Genesis 33:11. My blessing.] Meaning my gratuity. In Scripture a gift is often called a... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:1-20

Chapter 33And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and the two handmaidens ( Genesis 33:1 ).In other words, each of the mothers with their children that they had born.And he put the handmaids and their children in the front, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph were behind. And he passed over before them, and he bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 33:1-20

Genesis 33:3. Bowed himself to the ground. He then rose and walked a little farther, and bowed again; so he did seven times until he approached his brother. Homage of this kind was first paid to the great patriarchs; and very extravagant homage is still paid to great men in all the oriental nations. Poor Jacob was now an Assyrian ready to perish, but God was his defence. Deuteronomy 26:5. Genesis 33:4. Fell on his neck and kissed him. We have here the answer of Jacob’s prayers and... read more