Genesis 32:17 kjv

And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

Genesis 32:17 nkjv

And he commanded the first one, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?'

Genesis 32:17 niv

He instructed the one in the lead: "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?'

Genesis 32:17 esv

He instructed the first, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?'

Genesis 32:17 nlt

He gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: "When my brother, Esau, meets you, he will ask, 'Whose servants are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?'

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 17 Meaning

Genesis 32:17 details Jacob's specific instructions to the first group of servants leading the procession of gifts for Esau. He commands them, upon meeting Esau, to respond to his anticipated questions about their identity, destination, and the ownership of the livestock before them. This meticulous strategy was designed by Jacob to gradually soften Esau's anger and prepare him for Jacob's direct appearance.

Genesis 32 17 Context

Genesis 32 records Jacob's apprehensive journey back to Canaan from Paddan-Aram after 20 years with Laban. He is on the verge of re-encountering Esau, his twin brother, whom he had defrauded of the birthright and the patriarchal blessing many years prior (Gen 27). Having heard that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men (Gen 32:6), Jacob was seized with great fear and distress (Gen 32:7). In response, he strategically divided his company, flocks, and herds into two camps to potentially save one from an attack. Crucially, before implementing his elaborate human strategy, Jacob pours out a heartfelt prayer to God (Gen 32:9-12), recalling God's promises to him. Following his prayer, Jacob meticulously organizes an elaborate series of droves of livestock as a gift (a minḥāh, an appeasement offering) for Esau. These gifts are sent in successive waves, and verse 17 specifies the detailed instructions given to the leader of the first group, setting the tone for the entire encounter and attempting to pacify Esau incrementally.

Genesis 32 17 Word analysis

• And he commanded (וַיְצַו֙, vay'tzav): From the root tsavah, meaning to command, instruct, or appoint. This implies Jacob is taking definitive, authoritative action in setting out his detailed plan. It highlights his control and foresight in this elaborate strategy.
• the first (אֶת־הָרִאשֹׁ֣ון, et-ha-rishon): Refers to the first group or wave of servants and animals. Jacob deliberately sends them ahead in stages to soften Esau's anger gradually. The Hebrew ha-rishon emphasizes its distinct identity as the lead group.
• saying (לֵאמֹ֔ר, le'mor): A common Hebrew particle indicating that what follows is direct speech. It emphasizes the direct and specific nature of Jacob's instructions, ensuring clarity for the servants.
• When Esau my brother meets you:
  • When (כִּ֣י, ki): Can mean "when," "for," or "surely." Here, it sets the conditional timeframe for the command to be executed.
  • meets you (יִמְצָֽאֲךָ, yimtza'acha): From the verb matsa, meaning to find, meet, encounter. It anticipates a direct encounter, likely confrontation.
  • Esau my brother (עֵשָׂ֖ו אָחִ֑יךָ, Esau achikha): Jacob, though absent from this initial exchange, explicitly instructs the servant to refer to Esau as "my brother." This is a diplomatic and potentially conciliatory address, acknowledging the familial bond despite the deep rift. This usage foreshadows the repeated declaration of Jacob later that he views Esau as "my lord" and seeks his favor (Gen 32:18; 33:8).
• and asks you, saying:
  • and asks you (וְשֶׁאֶלְךָ֙, v'she'elkha): From the verb sha'al, to ask or inquire. Jacob anticipates specific questions from Esau, indicating his deep concern about Esau's probable reaction and preparing his servants with rehearsed responses.
  • saying (לֵאמֹ֔ר, le'mor): Again, a particle introducing direct speech, here Esau's anticipated questions. This rhetorical framing creates a dramatic build-up to the orchestrated reply.
• 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? And whose are these before you?'
  • To whom do you belong? (לְמִ֣י אַ֔תָּה, le'mi attah): Literally "To whom you (are)?" An inquiry about allegiance and ownership, directly establishing the hierarchy. The servant's reply in the next verse clarifies that they belong to "your servant Jacob."
  • and where are you going? (וְאָ֣נָה תֵלֵ֖ךְ, v'ana telekh): A question about purpose and direction. The response reveals the gifts are going to Esau.
  • And whose are these before you? (וּלְמִ֗י אֵ֚לֶּה לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃, u'lemi elleh lefanekha): "And to whom these before you?" This focuses on the vast amount of livestock, prompting the reveal that they are a gift from Jacob. "Before you" (lefanekha) specifically points to the physical presence of the animals directly in Esau's path, impossible to miss.

Genesis 32 17 Bonus section

Jacob's choice to have the servants explicitly refer to Esau as "my brother" is a subtle yet profound strategic move. Despite the past betrayal and Jacob's fear, he seeks to activate the dormant familial bond. This initial greeting, facilitated by an intermediary, allows the idea of "brother" to gently precede Jacob's personal presence, perhaps softening Esau's heart before Jacob even appears. This carefully managed psychological softening demonstrates Jacob's keen understanding of human nature and negotiation, applying pressure over time rather than through a direct, immediate confrontation.

Genesis 32 17 Commentary

Genesis 32:17 reveals Jacob's masterful yet human-centered strategy for approaching his wronged brother, Esau. This verse details the calculated staging of his appeasement plan, showing his fear but also his resourceful intelligence. Jacob is not just sending gifts; he's orchestrating a controlled dialogue, scripting both Esau's probable questions and his servants' replies. His precision in dictating the exact answers to the three key questions (about their allegiance, destination, and ownership of the gifts) aims to diffuse Esau's anger gradually, making it difficult for him to lash out in immediate wrath. This systematic approach is an attempt to manage what he perceived as a life-threatening encounter. While his prior prayer demonstrated a recognition of God's sovereignty, this detailed scheming highlights Jacob's lingering nature of self-reliance and manipulation. It sets up the theological tension for the subsequent divine encounter at Peniel (Gen 32:22-32), where Jacob's ultimate transformation hinges not on his cleverness, but on wrestling directly with God and depending fully on His blessing. The verse illustrates a human's intricate efforts to control circumstances, a stark contrast to God's simple and sovereign power that ultimately reconciles the brothers.