Genesis 33:6 kjv

Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.

Genesis 33:6 nkjv

Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.

Genesis 33:6 niv

Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down.

Genesis 33:6 esv

Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down.

Genesis 33:6 nlt

Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him.

Genesis 33 verses

(h2) MeaningGenesis 33:6 describes a critical moment in Jacob's reunion with Esau. Following Jacob's initial seven bows and Esau's advance, Jacob sends members of his household in ordered groups. This verse details the second group to approach: the handmaids, Bilhah and Zilpah, and their four sons (Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher). They presented themselves before Esau, performing a deep bow or prostration. This act conveyed profound submission, homage, and deference, serving as both a formal greeting and a plea for favorable reception from Esau.

(h2) Cross References

(h2) ContextGenesis chapter 33 opens with Jacob's deeply anxious preparation to meet his brother Esau after approximately two decades of separation, following Jacob's deceit in obtaining Esau's blessing (Gen 27). Jacob had divided his household into groups and sent a vast tribute of livestock ahead to appease Esau (Gen 32:7-21). As Esau approached with 400 men, Jacob arranged his family in a strategic, defensive, and submissive order: first the two handmaids (Bilhah and Zilpah) and their children (Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher), then Leah and her children, and last, Rachel and Joseph. This ordered procession, each group performing the customary deep bow, reflects Jacob's fear, his desire to soften Esau's wrath, and possibly an implicit valuation of his wives and children in terms of vulnerability or importance to his legacy, placing those deemed "least" valuable (the handmaids) in the most exposed position. The action in verse 6 specifically depicts the handmaids' group following Jacob's own extensive prostration.

(h2) Word analysis(ul)

• Then (וַתִּגַּשְׁנָה - va-ttigashna): This "and... then" is a typical Hebrew narrative connective, signaling sequential action within the broader account of Jacob's strategic family arrangement before Esau.
• came near (תִּגַּשְׁנָה - ttigashna): From the verb nagash (נָגַשׁ), meaning "to draw near, approach." In its Piel stem (or a related stem), it can denote a deliberate or formal approach, indicating that the handmaids did not stumble but consciously stepped forward into Esau's presence as instructed.
• the handmaids (הַשְּׁפָחוֹת - ha-shphachot): Shifchah (שִׁפְחָה) refers to a female servant or concubine. In this context, it specifically refers to Bilhah and Zilpah, who were given to Jacob by Rachel and Leah to bear children. Their lower social status within the patriarchal family is reflected in their being presented first among the family units to Esau, ahead of Leah and Rachel.
• they (הֵנָּה - hennah): An emphatic feminine plural pronoun. This specification highlights that the handmaids themselves were part of the group performing the action, not merely overseeing their children.
• and their children (וְיַלְדֵיהֶן - ve-yaldeihen): Yeled (יֶלֶד) means child or boy. The suffix -ehen means "their." These are Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Their inclusion emphasizes that the entire "sub-family unit" from these women participated in the act of submission, demonstrating solidarity and presenting the full picture of Jacob's burgeoning household. It underscores their vulnerability and dependence, appealing implicitly to Esau's compassion.
• and bowed themselves (וַתִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶיןָ - va-tishtachavenah): From the Hebrew verb shachah (שָׁחָה) in the Hithpael stem. This verb signifies a profound act of prostration, where one lies flat on the ground with their face to the dust, or kneels very low in homage. The Hithpael stem often denotes a reflective or intensive action, meaning they intentionally and deeply bowed. This gesture was a common expression of respect, reverence, humility, and submission in the ancient Near East, whether to God, a ruler, or a superior. Here, it is an act of deep deference and perhaps appeasement towards Esau, signifying a complete surrender to his mercy.

(ul)

• "The handmaids came near, they and their children": This phrase emphasizes the methodical and complete presentation of each segment of Jacob's family. It highlights the structured procession Jacob designed, beginning with those considered to be of lower status and thus serving as an initial, submissive buffer. The specific inclusion of the children underlines the family's totality and vulnerability.
• "and bowed themselves": This direct action concludes the interaction for this specific group, signifying their formal acknowledgment of Esau's authority or presence and their collective act of deference. It serves as a visual plea for acceptance and peace. This profound physical act conveys far more than words, demonstrating deep respect and willingness to be subservient.

(h2) CommentaryGenesis 33:6 concisely depicts a moment of carefully orchestrated submission designed to mitigate deep-seated familial animosity. The handmaids and their children, being the initial group sent after Jacob's own prostration, were placed in the vulnerable vanguard. Their act of bowing, shachah, was not a casual nod but a full prostration, a gesture rich in cultural significance denoting profound respect, homage, and supplication. This strategic display of humility by Jacob's household aimed to soften Esau's heart and assuage any lingering anger from their past. While born out of fear and Jacob's cunning, it demonstrates a key aspect of peacemaking in that era: a public display of deference. This moment underscores Jacob's dependence not only on human strategy but ultimately on God's prior assurances of protection (Gen 32:9-12), which mysteriously facilitated Esau's unexpected, gracious embrace (Gen 33:4) that superseded all the meticulous preparations and fearful bows. The bowing, though intensely human in its intent, prepared the ground for a divinely ordained reconciliation.

(h2) Bonus section(ul)

• Hierarchical Display: The precise order of the family's approach (handmaids, then Leah, then Rachel) reflects Jacob's internal hierarchy and concern for their safety. He places those perceived as "lesser" or less favored in the more vulnerable initial positions.
• Echoes of Reversal: This scene, with Jacob and his family bowing before Esau, offers a dramatic reversal of the earlier prophetic blessing Jacob received (Gen 27:29), where Esau's brothers were supposed to bow down to Jacob. The physical act of submission by Jacob and his family momentarily subordinates them to Esau, yet the divine purpose for Jacob (Israel) persists despite this temporary humbling.
• Beyond Human Strategy: While the bowing was a human strategy rooted in fear and cultural custom, the miraculous element of the narrative is Esau's complete lack of animosity (Gen 33:4). This highlights the divine hand working beyond human plans to soften hearts and fulfill promises, emphasizing God's sovereignty over interpersonal relationships.