Genesis 33:15 kjv

And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

Genesis 33:15 nkjv

And Esau said, "Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Genesis 33:15 niv

Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my men with you." "But why do that?" Jacob asked. "Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

Genesis 33:15 esv

So Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Genesis 33:15 nlt

"All right," Esau said, "but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you." Jacob responded, "That's not necessary. It's enough that you've received me warmly, my lord!"

Genesis 33 verses

Genesis 33 15 Meaning

Genesis 33:15 records Esau's offer to provide some of his attendants as an escort or protective guard for Jacob, who had previously shown fear of him. Jacob politely declines Esau's offer, implying that such human provision is unnecessary, as he has already found full acceptance and favor in Esau's eyes, and thus does not require further outward assurances of safety. This exchange solidifies their reconciliation and Jacob's implicit trust in divine providence over human protection.

Genesis 33 15 Context

Genesis chapter 33 marks the culmination of Jacob's decades-long fear of his brother Esau, following his deceit to secure the birthright and blessing. After his wrestling with God at Jabbok (Gen 32), Jacob approaches Esau with great humility, sending waves of gifts ahead and bowing repeatedly. Esau's unexpected embrace and tears (Gen 33:4) demonstrate a miraculous change of heart. Jacob further emphasizes their reconciliation by insisting Esau accept the gifts as proof of divine grace ("seeing your face as seeing the face of God"). In the verses immediately preceding 33:15, Esau had proposed traveling together, but Jacob wisely declined, understanding their different paces and perhaps wanting to prevent further complications. Esau's current offer of his personal guards is a further expression of his positive disposition towards Jacob, providing assistance and protection in what was still a wild, untamed land. Jacob's refusal in verse 15 confirms that for him, the true "favor" is Esau's goodwill, not his material resources or retinue.

Genesis 33 15 Word analysis

• וַיֹּאמֶר עֵשָׂו (vai-yo-mer Esav): "And Esau said." Standard narrative conjunction, indicating the flow of conversation. Esau, having expressed peace, now makes a practical offer.
• אִשְׁלִיחָה (ish-li-ḥah): "I will leave" or "Let me send." A causative verbal form (Hiphil), meaning "to cause to go," "to send away." Here, it carries the sense of appointing or leaving certain people for a task.
• נָּא (na): A particle of entreaty or request, often translated as "please" or "now." It softens Esau's offer, making it a kind suggestion rather than an imperative.
• מֵהָעָם (meh-ha-ʿam): "from the people" or "from the company." Refers to Esau's four hundred men (Gen 32:6), his substantial entourage. This contingent represented considerable power and protection in ancient society.
• עִמָּךְ (im-makh): "with you." Signifies shared presence, an escort.
• וַיֹּאמֶר (vai-yo-mer): "And he [Jacob] said." Introduces Jacob's response.
• לָמָּה זֶּה (la-mma zeh): "Why this?" Literally "why is this?" A polite yet firm question used to gently decline an offer. It's not accusatory but expresses lack of need or desire for the proposed action.
• אֶמְצָא (em-tza): "I will find" or "Let me find." A cohortative verbal form, expressing Jacob's desire or intention.
• חֵן (ḥen): "favor," "grace," "charm." A significant theological and relational term. In human relationships, it denotes acceptance, goodwill, and often kindness extended without obligation. In a divine context, it speaks of God's unmerited favor. Here, Jacob refers to Esau's good disposition towards him.
• בְּעֵינֶיךָ (be-ʿei-nekha): "in your eyes." A common Hebrew idiom signifying acceptance, approval, or receiving favor from another. It implies a subjective perception and a relational reality.
• אֲדֹנִי (ado-ni): "my lord." Jacob consistently uses this title of deference to Esau, maintaining a posture of humility even after their reconciliation. This reiterates respect and underscores Jacob's position as the one seeking favor, rather than demanding it.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Let me leave some of my people with you": This phrase encapsulates Esau's transformation. He had approached Jacob with four hundred men, initially seen as a threat, but now offers them as protective aid. It reflects a protective, hospitable, and genuinely benevolent attitude from Esau, confirming the extent of their reconciliation. It also highlights Esau's worldly power and his means of extending "grace."
• "Why should I do that?": Jacob's gentle yet decisive rejection of external human assistance. This rhetorical question signals his confidence and sense of having "enough" (as stated in Gen 33:11), relying on God's protection and the genuine reconciliation achieved, rather than on Esau's large retinue.
• "Let me find favor in your eyes, my lord": This pivotal phrase means Jacob’s security and peace stem not from physical protection, but from Esau’s continued acceptance and good will. It implies that Esau's current, open-hearted acceptance is already the most valuable 'favor' Jacob could receive, and no additional safeguards or human aid are needed or desired. Jacob trusts in the spiritual and relational peace that God has brought about.

Genesis 33 15 Bonus section

• Jacob's continued use of "my lord" to Esau highlights his commitment to maintaining humility and defusing any potential future conflict or challenge to Esau's authority as the elder brother. It reinforces the peace between them.
• The immediate narrative flow (Gen 33:16-17) shows Esau returning to Seir and Jacob traveling independently to Succoth. Jacob’s refusal of the escort facilitates their separate journeys, aligning with God's ongoing plan for Jacob's lineage in Canaan and Esau's in Seir. This division of paths is subtly set up by Jacob's refusal of continued close association.
• This verse contributes to the broader biblical theme that reliance on God’s favor and provision is superior to dependence on human strength or strategic arrangements, echoing Psalms 118:8-9 and Jeremiah 17:5.

Genesis 33 15 Commentary

Genesis 33:15 subtly reveals Jacob’s profound transformation and the reality of divine intervention. Esau's offer of his men is a powerful gesture, representing not only protective intent but also a customary act of hospitality and an assertion of his ability to provide. In the ancient Near East, an escort of this nature would be significant, providing security against dangers of the wild or human adversaries. Jacob's rejection of this offer is highly significant. It demonstrates a newfound faith and maturity, moving beyond his earlier schemes and fear-driven manipulations.

Jacob's declaration that he needs only to "find favor in your eyes" indicates that the genuine reconciliation and goodwill achieved with Esau, orchestrated by God, is sufficient. He implies that his safety and prosperity depend on the integrity of their renewed relationship, a state that God has providentially secured (as evidenced by Gen 33:10, where Jacob says he saw Esau’s face "as seeing the face of God"). This signals Jacob's deep trust in God’s provision, aligning with his statement in the previous verse, "God has dealt graciously with me, and I have enough" (Gen 33:11). Jacob is content with the spiritual blessing of reconciliation and doesn't feel the need for additional human or material guarantees. This act affirms that their peace is founded on something more profound than human strength or military escort, implicitly pointing to the divine hand that softened Esau's heart and protected Jacob. It is a moment of trust in God's completed work, rather than adding human solutions.