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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:1-16

1-16 Jacob, having by prayer committed his case to God, went on his way. Come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob bowed to Esau. A humble, submissive behaviour goes far towards turning away wrath. Esau embraced Jacob. God has the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. It is not in vain to trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble. And when a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

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 33:12

‘And he said, “Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before you.” ’ Esau is well meaning and offers his protection. He is unaware of his brother’s fears, although no doubt amused at his seeming subservience. But then, he thinks, that is Jacob. But his intentions are all good. They will go on together. He may well, however, have been secretly hoping that Jacob would not accept his offer. The laws of kinship demanded the offer. It was not necessarily intended to be accepted. read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:13-14

‘And he said to him, “My lord knows that the children are of tender age, and that the flocks and herds with me are feeding their young, and that if they overdrive them one day all the flocks will die. Let my lord, I beg you, pass on before his servant, and I will lead on slowly according to the pace of the cattle who are before me, and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord, to Seir.” ’ We may gather from this that Esau has invited Jacob to join him in Seir where he is... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:15

‘And Esau said, “Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me.” And he said, “What is the need? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.” So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.’ Esau recognises the wisdom of what Jacob says, and is probably somewhat relieved. But at least he feels he can leave some of his people to help with the herding and provide further protection, although this may again have been a gesture between kinsfolk. But Jacob certainly does not want to have... 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 33:12

Or rather, beside thee, so as to keep thee company, or to keep pace with thee. read more

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