Genesis 33:8 kjv

And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

Genesis 33:8 nkjv

Then Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" And he said, "These are to find favor in the sight of my lord."

Genesis 33:8 niv

Esau asked, "What's the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?" "To find favor in your eyes, my lord," he said.

Genesis 33:8 esv

Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company that I met?" Jacob answered, "To find favor in the sight of my lord."

Genesis 33:8 nlt

"And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?" Esau asked. Jacob replied, "They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship."

Genesis 33 verses

Genesis 33 8 Meaning

Genesis 33:8 records Esau's direct question to Jacob about the extensive company of gifts and servants Jacob sent ahead, and Jacob's humble and pivotal response that his intent was to find favor and acceptance in Esau's sight. This dialogue is crucial to their reunion, highlighting Jacob's contrite heart and genuine desire for reconciliation, acknowledging Esau's position and seeking his goodwill. It sets the stage for the remarkable reconciliation that follows, contrasting Jacob's past deceptions with his newfound humility.

Genesis 33 8 Context

Genesis 33:8 takes place during Jacob's highly anticipated and dreaded reunion with his estranged brother, Esau. After two decades of living with Laban and following his dramatic encounter with God at Peniel (where his name was changed to Israel), Jacob returns to Canaan with a large family and significant wealth. Jacob is deeply fearful of Esau, recalling the theft of the birthright and blessing that forced his initial flight (Gen. 27). He has just meticulously orchestrated a plan to appease Esau, sending massive, sequential droves of livestock as gifts ahead of him (Gen. 32:13-20). This verse directly follows Esau's surprisingly tender embrace of Jacob and Jacob's profound gesture of bowing down seven times. Esau's question is a natural inquiry about the numerous animals and servants encountered, providing Jacob with the perfect opening to express his desire for genuine reconciliation. The cultural context underscores the importance of such elaborate gifts in defusing potential conflicts and establishing favorable relations.

Genesis 33 8 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to Esau. The narrative flow sets up Esau's direct, though perhaps curious, inquiry.

• What do you mean by: Esau's probing question. It seeks understanding for the substantial display he has encountered.

• all this company: Refers to the vast number of livestock and servants Jacob sent in droves.

  • Hebrew: כָּל־הַמַּחֲנֶה הַזֶּה (kol-hammakhaneh hazzeh)
  • company (מַחֲנֶה - machaneh): Typically means "camp" or "encampment," but here signifies a large, organized group or division, specifically the caravan of gifts Jacob orchestrated. It highlights the significant scale and intention behind Jacob's elaborate present.

• which I met: Esau explicitly refers to the livestock droves he had encountered before reaching Jacob himself (Gen. 32:16).

• And he said: Refers to Jacob.

• To find favor: Jacob's concise explanation for his actions. It expresses a deeper longing than simply appeasing anger.

  • Hebrew: לִמְצֹא־חֵן (limtso-chen)
  • to find (לִמְצֹא - limtso): From the root matsa (מָצָא), meaning "to discover," "obtain," or "encounter." It indicates an active pursuit or successful attainment.
  • favor (חֵן - chen): Signifies "grace," "goodwill," "mercy," "acceptance." This is a crucial biblical idiom used to describe gaining the goodwill and positive disposition of someone, whether human or divine. Jacob desires not just a lack of vengeance, but genuine acceptance.

• in the sight of my lord: Clarifies whose favor Jacob seeks and by what means he hopes to gain it.

  • Hebrew: בְּעֵינֵי אֲדֹנִי (be`ene adoni)
  • in the sight of (בְּעֵינֵי - be`ene): Literally "in the eyes of," meaning "in the opinion of" or "before." It implies a public acknowledgment of another's position.
  • my lord (אֲדֹנִי - adoni): Jacob uses this deferential title repeatedly (Gen. 32:4, 5; 33:5, 8, 13, 14, 15). This term formally recognizes Esau's elder status and acknowledges a position of subservience. It dramatically reverses the dynamic from when Jacob stole the blessing, where he sought to rule over Esau. This consistent address demonstrates Jacob's profound humility and earnest desire for peaceful reconciliation, reflecting a transformation shaped by his spiritual struggle.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "What do you mean by all this company which I met?": Esau's query is not hostile but inquisitive, providing Jacob the critical moment to vocalize his submissive and reconciliatory intent, thereby diffusing any lingering tension or suspicion.
  • "To find favor in the sight of my lord": This phrase encapsulates Jacob's posture. It represents a spiritual maturity post-Peniel, showing Jacob's willingness to humble himself and make amends for past wrongs, not merely from fear, but from a genuine desire for peace.

Genesis 33 8 Bonus section

• The success of Jacob's elaborate strategy of sending gifts ahead of him and bowing profoundly cannot be attributed solely to his human ingenuity. Ultimately, God softened Esau's heart (as implied by Prov. 21:1), turning his anticipated wrath into unexpected grace, validating the principle that divine intervention often precedes human reconciliation efforts.
• Jacob's proactive measures to make amends demonstrate an important biblical principle for resolving conflict: taking the initiative, even when fear is present, and making restitution or expressing genuine remorse.
• The interaction in this verse sets the stage for Esau's compassionate reaction, which far exceeded Jacob's expectations, showcasing God's boundless grace in turning bitter animosity into heartfelt familial reunion.

Genesis 33 8 Commentary

Genesis 33:8 serves as the verbal climax of Jacob's meticulously planned reconciliation with Esau. Esau's question, posed amidst their astonishingly warm embrace, directly addresses the practical demonstration of Jacob's appeasement—the droves of livestock. Jacob's response, "To find favor in the sight of my lord," is remarkably poignant. It reveals that his costly gifts and profound bowing were not merely a desperate gamble to avert Esau's wrath but an authentic expression of his desire for true reconciliation and goodwill. The phrase "find favor" indicates Jacob sought not just tolerance, but acceptance and blessing from his brother, paralleling his previous efforts to find favor with God.

Jacob's repeated use of "my lord" for Esau (contrast this with Esau’s past words about Jacob’s deceptiveness regarding his first and second blessing, e.g. Gen. 27:36) signifies a complete reversal of their original power dynamic. Jacob, who once manipulated for the elder's rights, now willingly embraces the junior position. This humility is a stark departure from his earlier character and reflects the deep transformative work of God in his life, particularly after his wrestling encounter at Peniel. This brief exchange encapsulates the power of humble apologies and overtures of peace in healing fractured relationships, illustrating that true reconciliation often demands the abnegation of pride and the pursuit of goodwill.