Genesis 32:18 kjv

Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

Genesis 32:18 nkjv

then you shall say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.' "

Genesis 32:18 niv

then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.'?"

Genesis 32:18 esv

then you shall say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.'"

Genesis 32:18 nlt

You must reply, 'They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.'"

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 18 Meaning

Genesis 32:18 reveals Jacob's precise instructions to his servants concerning the waves of gifts sent ahead to his estranged brother Esau. The message conveyed is one of profound humility and a clear purpose: these gifts are from "your servant Jacob" and are a "present" (or peace offering) to "my lord Esau." It strategically announces Jacob's imminent personal arrival, indicating his willingness to face his brother directly, not just send gifts from afar. This strategy reflects Jacob's deep fear of Esau's long-held wrath and his attempt to pacify him through deference and generosity, demonstrating an effort toward reconciliation.

Genesis 32 18 Context

Genesis chapter 32 chronicles a pivotal moment in Jacob's life as he returns to Canaan, the land of his birth and God's promises, after two decades in Paddan Aram. Having been commanded by God to return (Gen 31:3), Jacob anticipates a confrontation with his brother Esau, from whom he fled due to Esau's murderous wrath (Gen 27:41-45). Upon hearing that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men, Jacob is "greatly afraid and distressed" (Gen 32:7).

In response to his fear, Jacob first turns to prayer, appealing to God's past promises and current command (Gen 32:9-12). Immediately after prayer, he enacts a meticulously planned, multi-stage strategy to appease Esau. He divides his livestock into numerous droves, each with servants instructed to announce that the gifts belong to "your servant Jacob" and are for "my lord Esau." Verse 18 is part of these specific instructions given to each servant, strategically designed to humble Jacob and disarm Esau's anticipated anger by portraying Jacob as a humble petitioner, signaling a desire for reconciliation, and announcing Jacob's imminent personal appearance. This carefully crafted message underscores Jacob's proactive effort to mend their fractured relationship.

Genesis 32 18 Word analysis

• Then (וְאָמַרְתָּ֣, ve'amar-ta): Hebrew waw consecutive perfect, signifying a command following a prior instruction. It shows the sequential nature of Jacob's meticulous planning.
• you shall say (וְאָמַרְתָּ֣, ve'amar-ta): From אָמַר ('amar), meaning "to say, speak, declare." The second person singular perfect tense used here acts as a strong imperative or command to the specific servant in charge of each drov
• They are (implied): Refers to the droves of animals/gifts. The servant is to identify their origin and purpose.
• your servant (לְעַבְדְּךָ֥, le'av-de-kha): From עֶבֶד ('eved), meaning "servant, slave." Jacob, the trickster who once deceived his brother and father, now identifies himself as Esau's humble servant. This profound shift in status is crucial, acknowledging Esau's prior position and showing Jacob's abject humility and penitence.
• Jacob’s (יַעֲקֹ֖ב, Ya'akov): Identifies the giver. It's not a generic offering but a specific gift from the man Esau seeks. It’s a deliberate personal identification for reconciliation.
• It is a present (ה֤וּא מִנְחָה֙, hu min-chah): From מִנְחָה (minchah), meaning "gift, tribute, offering." This term is often used for a grain offering or peace offering to God (e.g., Lev 2:1). Here, it’s an offering from one person to another intended to secure goodwill, acknowledge sovereignty, or pacify anger, thus holding deep conciliatory significance.
• sent (שְׁלוּחָ֔ה, she-lu-chah): Passive participle from שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send." It emphasizes the purposeful dispatch of the gift and its proactive nature, demonstrating Jacob's intention to initiate peace.
• to my lord (לַֽאדֹנִ֖י, la'do-ni): From אָדוֹן (adon), meaning "lord, master, sovereign." This is an act of extreme deference, effectively putting Esau in a position of authority and sovereignty over Jacob. It signifies submission and acknowledgment of past wrongs, acknowledging Esau's natural right as the elder brother.
• Esau (עֵשָׂ֑ו, Ei-sav): The specific intended recipient, emphasizing the direct and personal nature of the reconciliation attempt.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה֙, ve-hin-neh): An interjection that draws attention, creating a sense of immediacy and anticipation. It heightens the announcement that Jacob himself is closely following the gifts.
• he himself (גַּם־ה֖וּא, gam-hu): The emphatic "he also" or "he too." This highlights that Jacob is not simply sending gifts but is personally coming, adding sincerity and boldness to his approach. He is putting his own person on the line.
• is coming (בָּא֙, ba): Present participle, indicating active, ongoing movement towards a destination. Implies immediacy and progression.
• after us (אַֽחֲרֵֽינוּ, acharei-nu): Literally "behind us," meaning "following us." This conveys that Jacob is close behind the gifts, signaling his intention to arrive soon and meet Esau face-to-face.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then you shall say": This establishes the directive nature of Jacob's speech, highlighting his carefully planned communication strategy to his servants. He's coaching them on exactly what to relay.
• "They are your servant Jacob’s": This phrase immediately identifies the gifts' origin as Jacob, but frames it from a position of servanthood rather than parity or superiority. It’s an immediate, powerful gesture of humility designed to disarm.
• "It is a present sent to my lord Esau": This defines the specific purpose of the offering ("minchah," indicating a conciliatory or tribute gift) and explicitly names the intended recipient while assigning him the honorific "my lord," cementing Jacob's subordinate, deferential stance.
• "and behold, he himself is coming after us": This final, impactful declaration emphasizes Jacob's personal and immediate commitment to meeting Esau. It reassures Esau that Jacob is not merely sending gifts but is prepared for a personal encounter, enhancing the sincerity of the appeasement effort. It builds anticipation for the actual reunion.

Genesis 32 18 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs (implicit): While not direct polemics against idol worship, Jacob's actions, even if rooted in human fear and shrewdness, ultimately rely on God's protection. The meticulous effort to appease Esau is Jacob's part in the covenant-keeping journey, contrasting with the reliance solely on pagan deities or brute force for conflict resolution common in the Ancient Near East. Jacob's actions combine worldly wisdom with divine trust.
• Strategic De-escalation: This verse highlights a classic approach to de-escalating conflict: approaching the offended party with humility, generosity, and an immediate personal presence. It models the idea of making peace "costly" (in terms of humility and resources) but necessary for healing a breach.
• God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Even though Jacob had God's promise of protection, he did not passively await deliverance. He took concrete, wise actions (dividing camps, preparing gifts, formulating messages). This illustrates the biblical principle that faith does not negate human responsibility or wisdom but often prompts it.

Genesis 32 18 Commentary

Genesis 32:18 captures a pivotal moment of strategic human diplomacy driven by fear yet anchored in the preceding prayer to God. Jacob's carefully chosen words demonstrate profound psychological insight into Esau's likely mindset and an astonishing level of humility. The phrase "your servant Jacob" alongside "my lord Esau" dramatically reverses the natural familial hierarchy and the prophetic declaration over Jacob that "the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). By assuming a subordinate position, Jacob actively attempts to mitigate the historical tension stemming from his usurpation of Esau's birthright and blessing. The term "present" (minchah) is significant; it is a type of offering or tribute meant to conciliate or honor, not just a casual gift. The specific instruction to announce Jacob's imminent personal arrival ensures that Esau understands the gifts are not from an absentee trickster, but from one willing to face him, symbolizing a readiness for full reconciliation, even at personal risk. This verse exemplifies a proactive effort to make amends and prepare the way for peace, an action rooted in human strategy that, nonetheless, ultimately aligns with God's overarching purpose of bringing Jacob back to the Promised Land.