Genesis 33:7 kjv

And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Genesis 33:7 nkjv

And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

Genesis 33:7 niv

Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

Genesis 33:7 esv

Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down.

Genesis 33:7 nlt

Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.

Genesis 33 verses

Genesis 33 7 Meaning

This verse details a key moment in the anticipated reunion between Jacob and his brother Esau, specifically focusing on Leah and her children. It describes their orderly approach toward Esau and their communal act of bowing down. This prostration signifies profound respect, submission, and an appeal for favor and peace. Jacob had orchestrated this entire procession to humbly appease his estranged brother and ensure the safety of his family, anticipating Esau's reaction to their twenty-year separation and the past deceptions.

Genesis 33 7 Context

Genesis 33 provides the climax of a deep family rift between Jacob and Esau, two twin brothers separated for two decades due to Jacob's deceptive acquisition of Esau's birthright and blessing. Before this meeting, Jacob, fearful of Esau's revenge, wrestled with God, receiving the new name Israel. Guided by both divine encounter and strategic planning, Jacob organized his household, livestock, and family into protective divisions, sending generous gifts ahead to appease Esau. The procession was meticulously ordered, starting with Jacob bowing profoundly, followed by his maidservants and their children. This verse, Genesis 33:7, details the next wave: Leah, Jacob's first wife, along with her children. Their synchronized act of bowing was a cultural gesture of deep respect, subservience, and a plea for goodwill, symbolizing Jacob's profound desire for reconciliation and his vulnerability before his powerful brother. This orchestrated display of humility, though borne of fear, ultimately prepared the ground for Esau's surprising and gracious response, marking a pivotal moment of brotherly reconciliation facilitated by both human effort and divine providence.

Genesis 33 7 Word analysis

• "And then" (אַחֲרֵי-כֵן, acharei-ken): This Hebrew phrase signals sequential action, establishing the ordered progression of Jacob's household. It emphasizes the structured and deliberate nature of the approach to Esau, following the previous group of maidservants and their children.

• "Esau" (עֵשָׂו, Esaw): Jacob's twin, who had a strong, rugged identity ("hairy" or "ready made") that contrasts with Jacob's more domesticated and strategic nature. The mention of his name here serves as the focal point of the family's approach; he is the one whose favor is sought.

• "approached" (וַתִּגַּשׁ, vattiggash): Derived from the verb נָגַשׁ (nagash), meaning "to draw near" or "to step forward." The use of the imperfect form, combined with the waw-consecutive, depicts an ongoing and deliberate movement, physically bringing them into proximity with Esau. This proximity underscored their vulnerability and their intention to present themselves.

• "Leah" (לֵאָה, Le'ah): Jacob's first wife and mother to six of his sons (ancestors of prominent tribes) and his daughter Dinah. Despite her secondary status in Jacob's affections compared to Rachel, her position in this procession (after the maidservants but before Rachel) reflects both her significant place in the family's lineage and Jacob's careful social calculus during this tense encounter. Her leadership of her children in this act highlights her role as a matriarch participating in a moment of critical family diplomacy.

• "and her children" (וְיַלְדֶיהָ, veyaldeha): The inclusion of Leah's children emphasizes the vastness of Jacob's household and the multitude of lives dependent on the outcome of this meeting. These children represented the future generations and the burgeoning covenant family of Israel, adding to the stakes of the encounter. Their presence and participation in the bow were crucial for signaling peaceful intent from the entirety of Jacob's lineage.

• "and they bowed down" (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ, vayyishtachavvu): From שָׁחָה (shachah), "to bow low" or "to prostrate oneself," often with the face to the ground. This gesture in ancient Near Eastern culture indicated deep respect, humility, reverence, or submission, distinct from worship. Here, it functions as a solemn, collective act of humble salutation towards Esau, reflecting Jacob's specific instruction (Gen 33:3) and his overall strategy to disarm Esau's potential anger and ensure a peaceful reunion. This act was central to communicating a lack of threat and a sincere desire for reconciliation.

• "Esau approached, and Leah, and her children": This phrasing establishes a clear hierarchy of action. The movement is towards Esau, designating him as the recipient of respect and attention. The explicit mention of Leah leading her children highlights their collective agency in performing this significant act of deference within the procession.

• "and they bowed down": This short, declarative phrase is potent. It describes a singular, unified action by an entire family group, visually communicating their non-threatening posture. The repetition of this gesture across Jacob's entire family underscore Jacob’s profound humility and strategic genius, acting as a profound overture of peace and trust.

Genesis 33 7 Bonus section

• The careful ordering of Jacob's household in Gen 33 (maidservants/children first, then Leah/children, then Rachel/Joseph last) has been seen as a form of "protective strategy." Jacob potentially exposed his less favored (from a human perspective of threat assessment) groups first, intending to shield his most beloved wife and her son from any initial violence, highlighting the severity of Jacob's fear of Esau.
• The repetitive bowing acts, starting with Jacob's seven prostrations (Gen 33:3) and continuing with each family group, signify total submission and an earnest desire for peace in the face of potential wrath. This repeated gesture in the narrative emphasizes the extreme humility employed by Jacob to disarm Esau's potential anger, which contrasts sharply with the expectation of a violent reprisal for Jacob's past actions.
• The narrative sequence here beautifully illustrates the principle of God working through human effort and strategic actions. While Jacob took every human precaution based on his fear and past experience, the eventual outpouring of Esau's brotherly affection far exceeded what any strategic human maneuver could guarantee, underscoring the overarching hand of divine providence in reconciliation.

Genesis 33 7 Commentary

Genesis 33:7 portrays Leah and her children executing the profound act of prostration before Esau, a direct manifestation of Jacob's meticulously planned reconciliation strategy. This humble bowing, repeated by each segment of Jacob's family, was a culturally potent gesture of extreme respect, a relinquishing of pride, and an earnest appeal for mercy rather than confrontation. It underscores Jacob's deep anxiety concerning Esau's prior fury, leading him to prioritize absolute humility over asserting any perceived right. The arrangement of his family, placing Leah's large group after the concubine's children yet before his beloved Rachel and Joseph, reflects Jacob's calculation regarding who might bear the initial brunt of Esau's anger. However, this verse ultimately contributes to setting the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic acts of unlooked-for grace, where Esau's response far exceeded Jacob's expectations, showcasing reconciliation that transcends mere human strategy, pointing to a divine influence softening a hardened heart.