Genesis 33:1-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 33:1-4

Here, I. Jacob discovered Esau's approach, Gen. 33:1. Some think that his lifting up his eyes denotes his cheerfulness and confidence, in opposition to a dejected countenance; having by prayer committed his case to God, he went on his way, and his countenance was no more sad, 1 Sam. 1:18. Note, Those that have cast their care upon God may look before them with satisfaction and composure of mind, cheerfully expecting the issue, whatever it may be; come what will, nothing can come amiss to him... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 33:5-15

We have here the discourse between the two brothers at their meeting, which is very free and friendly, without the least intimation of the old quarrel. It was the best way to say nothing of it. They converse, I. About Jacob's retinue, Gen. 33:5-7. Eleven or twelve little ones, the eldest of them not fourteen years old, followed Jacob closely: Who are these? says Esau. Jacob had sent him an account of the increase of his estate (Gen. 32:5), but made no mention of his children; perhaps because... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 33:16-20

Here, 1. Jacob comes to Succoth. Having in a friendly manner parted with Esau, who had gone to his own country (Gen. 33:16), he comes to a place where, it should seem, he rested for some time, set up booths for his cattle, and other conveniences for himself and family. The place was afterwards known by the name of Succoth, a city in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan (it signifies booths), that when his posterity afterwards dwelt in houses of stone, they might remember that the Syrian... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:1

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked ,.... After he had passed over the brook, and was come to his wives and children; which was done either accidentally or on purpose, to see if he could espy his brother coming: some think this denotes his cheerfulness and courage, and that he was now not distressed and dejected, as he had been before: and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men ; see Genesis 32:6 , and he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:2

And he put the handmaids and their children foremost ,.... In the first division, as being less honourable and less beloved by him: and Leah and her children after ; still according to the degree of honour and affection due unto them; Leah being a wife that was imposed and forced upon him: and Rachel and Joseph hindermost ; being most beloved by him, and therefore most careful of them; Rachel being his principal and lawful wife, and who had the greatest share in his affection, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:3

And he passed over before them ,.... At the head of them, as the master of the family, exposing himself to the greatest danger for them, and in order to protect and defend them in the best manner he could, or to endeavour to soften the mind of his brother by an address, should there be any occasion for it: and bowed himself to the ground seven times ; in a civil way, as was the manner in the eastern countries towards great personages; and this he did to Esau as being his elder brother,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:4

And Esau ran to meet him ,.... If he rode on any creature, which is likely, he alighted from it on sight of his brother Jacob, and to express his joy on that occasion, and affection for him, made all the haste he could to meet him, as did the father of the prodigal, Luke 15:20 , and embraced him ; in his arms, with the greatest respect and tenderness: and fell on his neck ; laid his head on his neck, where it remained for a while, not being able to lift it up, and speak unto him;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:5

And he lift up his eyes, and saw the women and children ,.... After the salutation had passed between him and his brother Jacob, he looked, and saw behind him women and children, Jacob's two wives and his two handmaids, and twelve children he had by them: and said, who are those with thee ? who do those women and children belong to that follow thee? for Jacob had made no mention of his wives and children, when he sent his messengers to him, Genesis 32:5 ; and therefore Esau might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:6

Then the handmaids came near, they and their children ,.... Being foremost, and next to, Jacob, as Bilhah and her two sons, Dan and Naphtali, and Zilpah and her two sons, Gad and Asher: and they bowed themselves ; in token of respect to Esau, as Jacob had done before them, and set them an example, and no doubt instructed them to do it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:7

And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves ,.... Who were in the next division or company; their children were seven, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, six sons and one daughter: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves ; it is observed that Joseph is mentioned before his mother; it may be, because they might put him before her in the procession, for greater safety; or she might present him to Esau, being a child of... read more

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