Genesis 32 4

Genesis 32:4 kjv

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

Genesis 32:4 nkjv

And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, 'Thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

Genesis 32:4 niv

He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: 'Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now.

Genesis 32:4 esv

instructing them, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, 'I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now.

Genesis 32:4 nlt

He told them, "Give this message to my master Esau: 'Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban,

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 4 meaning

Genesis chapter 32, verse 4, details Jacob's diplomatic instructions to his messengers before meeting Esau. He commands them to deliver a message expressing profound humility and deference, addressing Esau as "my lord" and referring to himself as "your servant." This communication highlights Jacob's fear of his brother Esau's retribution for the past deception and his strategy of seeking reconciliation through submissive words, emphasizing his long sojourn with Laban, establishing his non-threatening status and prolonged absence.

Genesis 32 4 Context

Genesis chapter 32 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey back to the land of Canaan after a twenty-year sojourn with Laban. Having departed from Laban (Genesis 31), Jacob is now heading directly towards Esau's territory. This return stirs deep-seated fear in Jacob regarding his brother Esau's reaction, stemming from Jacob's deception in taking Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). Jacob prepares for the encounter by sending messengers ahead, divided into camps, and orchestrating a substantial gift for Esau (Genesis 32:5). This verse (32:4) specifies the initial message, designed to disarm Esau's potential anger and avert conflict by adopting a posture of submission and explaining his extended absence and acquired wealth. Historically, diplomacy was crucial for survival among semi-nomadic peoples in ancient Canaan, where unresolved feuds could escalate into bloodshed. Jacob's actions reflect an attempt to resolve a familial grievance through established social protocols of respect and peace-making before resorting to other measures or confronting a hostile reaction.

Genesis 32 4 Word analysis

• And he commanded (וַיְצַו, vay'tzav): Signifies an authoritative directive. Jacob gives specific instructions, demonstrating his intent and the seriousness with which he views the impending encounter with Esau. This is a deliberate, well-thought-out plan.
• them: Refers to the messengers Jacob had sent ahead, whom he had previously encountered with angels of God (Gen 32:1-2), now tasked with a crucial diplomatic mission.
• saying: Introduces the content of Jacob's message.
• “Thus you shall speak: A formal directive, emphasizing the precise wording to be used.
• to my lord (לַאדֹנִי, la'do-ni): From 'adon (lord, master). This title profoundly diminishes Jacob's standing and elevates Esau's. Jacob, who formerly sought to rule over Esau through deception and who possessed God's covenant blessing, now explicitly places himself in a subservient position. This is a drastic shift from their previous dynamic, displaying either deep humility or intense fear, likely both. In ancient Near Eastern context, it indicates an inferior to a superior.
• Esau: Jacob directly addresses his brother by name, acknowledging their relationship, yet immediately framing it within a hierarchical context.
• ‘Thus says your servant (עַבְדְּךָ, av'd'kha): From 'eved (servant, slave). Jacob further abases himself. This self-designation reinforces the subservient posture and signals absolute deference. It contrasts sharply with Jacob's name meaning "supplanter" or "one who grasps the heel" and his previous actions against Esau. This is a public display of contrition or an effort to avert Esau's anger.
• Jacob: Identifies the sender. He does not hide his identity but presents himself in a position of humility.
• I have sojourned (גַּרְתִּי, gar'ti): From gur (to sojourn, dwell as a stranger). Jacob implies he has not established roots or built an army or territory to threaten Esau's dominion in Seir. He conveys his non-threatening status and that he has been away as a temporary resident, focusing on mere subsistence and dwelling temporarily in another's land. This helps defuse any territorial or power threat Esau might perceive.
• with Laban: Pinpoints his recent location and validates his long absence. It grounds his current status and accumulated wealth within the known, established, albeit contentious, relationship with Laban, not through conquest or territorial claims that would rival Esau.
• and stayed until now (וָאֵחַר עַד־עָתָּה, va'echar ad-at'tah): Lit. "and I delayed until now." This phrase suggests a prolonged period, twenty years, during which he was far from Esau's influence, preventing him from threatening Esau's settled domain. It signifies a long-overdue return, framing his current approach not as a sudden invasion but as a planned and patient return home. It subtly explains why he had not returned sooner and perhaps why he has prospered away from Esau’s direct sphere.

Genesis 32 4 Bonus section

Jacob's adoption of the title "servant" to Esau echoes the patriarchal understanding of familial roles and deference, even reversing the divinely prophesied outcome where "the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). This strategic move by Jacob suggests an attempt to bypass the prophecy's implications for now, focusing on immediate survival and peace, showcasing Jacob's pragmatic side alongside his emerging faith. His meticulous planning before encountering Esau also highlights his reliance on human strategy, which precedes his deep and desperate prayer to God for deliverance, suggesting a process of turning from self-reliance to divine trust in moments of extreme crisis. The long "sojourn" with Laban serves not only as an explanation for his absence but also as a period of divine discipline and formation for Jacob, where he learned endurance, cunning, and eventually, the cost of deceit from his own master, Laban. This period transformed Jacob, shaping the character that would later wrestle with God.

Genesis 32 4 Commentary

Genesis 32:4 marks a profound turning point for Jacob, revealing a man grappling with past wrongs and the consequences of his actions. His highly formal and submissive language ("my lord Esau," "your servant Jacob") is a desperate, strategic act of humility intended to pacify his enraged brother. This posture stands in stark contrast to his youthful deceit and ambition; it demonstrates Jacob's recognition of his vulnerability and the need for reconciliation, perhaps a nascent sign of the spiritual wrestling he will soon endure at Penuel. By detailing his long "sojourn" with Laban, Jacob minimizes any perception of him as a territorial threat and emphasizes that his return is about homecoming, not confrontation or further claim-staking. The verse underscores the enduring impact of sin (Jacob's fraud) and the human effort required to seek peace, even when driven by fear, laying the groundwork for God's divine intervention in the subsequent narrative. It exemplifies a proactive approach to potential conflict, beginning with genuine (or at least expedient) humility and communication. For instance, in our lives, confronting someone we've wronged with sincere humility can disarm their anger, just as Jacob tried to do with Esau.