Genesis 33:9 kjv

And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

Genesis 33:9 nkjv

But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself."

Genesis 33:9 niv

But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

Genesis 33:9 esv

But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself."

Genesis 33:9 nlt

"My brother, I have plenty," Esau answered. "Keep what you have for yourself."

Genesis 33 verses

Genesis 33 9 Meaning

Genesis 33:9 records Esau's gracious and conciliatory response to Jacob's elaborate gifts. After their emotionally charged reunion, Jacob insists on giving Esau a peace offering. Esau, however, declares, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself." This statement signifies his lack of animosity, genuine sufficiency, and acceptance of Jacob without any transactional demands. It conveys his magnanimity and desire for true reconciliation, not material gain.

Genesis 33 9 Context

Genesis chapter 33 marks the long-anticipated reunion of Jacob and Esau, two brothers estranged by betrayal and bitterness for two decades. Jacob, fleeing from his brother's wrath in Genesis 27, returns to Canaan having acquired wealth, family, and a new name, Israel (Gen 32:28). Despite divine assurance and a wrestling encounter with God, Jacob remains deeply fearful of Esau's vengeance (Gen 32:7-8). He strategically sends a lavish present ahead of himself, hoping to "appease" Esau and find "favor" (Gen 32:20). Upon meeting, Jacob humbly bows seven times (Gen 33:3), a gesture of utmost respect and subservience. To Jacob's immense relief and surprise, Esau responds not with anger, but with overwhelming affection and embrace (Gen 33:4). It is within this profound moment of reconciliation that Jacob insists Esau receive his gift, believing it to be a sign of God's grace and a true mark of Esau's favor (Gen 33:10). Esau's declaration in verse 9 stands as his initial response to the offering, demonstrating his changed heart and the genuine nature of their reconciliation.

Genesis 33 9 Word analysis

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vai·yo·mer) – "And he said": This vav consecutive imperfect verb is a common Hebrew narrative device, indicating a sequential action. It marks the immediate follow-up to Jacob's initial plea or offer in the previous verses.
• עֵשָׂו (Esav) – "Esau": The elder twin, here representing the recipient of Jacob's peace offering. His name itself is linked to "hairy" and "red," reflecting his birth description (Gen 25:25). In this verse, his name underscores the remarkable change in his disposition, moving from a feared adversary to a loving brother.
• יֶשׁ־לִי (yesh-li) – "I have" / "there is to me": The Hebrew yesh signifies existence or possession, similar to "there is." Combined with the possessive particle li ("to me"), it translates literally as "there is to me." It asserts his present state of possession or existence, conveying "I possess."
• רָב (rav) – "much" / "many" / "abundant" / "enough": This term denotes a quantity that is ample, plentiful, or sufficient. In this context, Esau is conveying his sense of sufficiency, that what he already possesses is plentiful. It is not "a little" but "much," removing any suggestion of need or greed. It speaks to his contentment.
• אָחִי (akhi) – "my brother": The suffix -i denotes "my." This is a crucial term of address. After decades of animosity and Esau's expressed intention to kill Jacob (Gen 27:41), this tender term signifies deep personal and familial acknowledgment. It highlights the restored relational bond, cementing the reconciliation.
• יְהִי (ye·hi) – "Let it be" / "May it be": This is a jussive form of the verb "to be," functioning as an imperative or wish. Esau is issuing a polite command or suggestion, essentially "Let it stand," regarding the gifts.
• לְךָ (lekha) – "to you" / "for you": The preposition le- indicates direction or possession, attached to the second person masculine singular pronoun ka ("you"). It directly points the outcome of his suggestion towards Jacob.
• אֲשֶׁר (asher) – "what" / "that which": This is a common relative pronoun, introducing a subordinate clause and referring to the gifts Jacob brought. It functions here like "that which is."
• לָךְ (lakh) – "to you" / "for you": Another instance of the preposition le- attached to the second person masculine singular pronoun ka. In this repeat, it strongly reinforces the idea that the gifts belong to Jacob, and he should retain possession.

Words-group analysis:

• "יֶשׁ־לִי רָב" (yesh-li rav) – "I have enough" / "I have much": This phrase encapsulates Esau's contentment. It’s a polite refusal of Jacob's appeasement gifts, not born of insult but out of a genuine sense of sufficiency. This indicates a shift from a potentially revengeful state to one of peace and well-being.
• "אָחִי יְהִי לְךָ אֲשֶׁר לָךְ" (akhi yehi lekha asher lakh) – "my brother; keep what you have for yourself": This entire clause is a beautiful expression of brotherly goodwill. By calling Jacob "my brother" (אָחִי), Esau explicitly re-establishes their familial bond. The concluding phrase "keep what you have for yourself" (literally "let what is to you be for you") is a courteous and generous rejection of the gifts, emphasizing that Jacob should retain his own possessions. This displays true reconciliation where gifts are not necessary for peace, signifying Esau's freedom from the past bitterness and any desire for recompense.

Genesis 33 9 Bonus section

The choice of words in Esau's "I have enough" (יֶשׁ־לִי רָב - yesh-li rav) subtly contrasts with Jacob's later declaration in Genesis 33:11, "God has dealt graciously with me, and I have everything (יֶשׁ־לִי כֹל - yesh-li kol)." While rav (much, enough) signifies abundance and sufficiency, kol (all, everything) implies an absolute totality or completion. Some interpretations suggest this highlights a difference in their understanding or experience of blessings. Esau is content with "much," a practical sufficiency. Jacob, having wrestled with God and receiving the name Israel, declares he has "all" things, hinting at a more profound, divinely-granted fullness that transcends mere material wealth. Both brothers affirm contentment, but Jacob's confession roots his completeness directly in God's gracious dealing. This detail subtly points to God's continuous work in Jacob's life, refining his perspective, even as He miraculously paved the way for reconciliation through a changed Esau. The verse also underscores the theme that fear can often precede divine deliverance, reminding believers to trust God's plan over human apprehension.

Genesis 33 9 Commentary

Genesis 33:9 serves as a pivotal statement in the narrative of Jacob and Esau's reunion. After two decades of fear and scheming, Jacob meets a transformed Esau, whose gracious words shatter Jacob's carefully constructed expectations of vengeance. Esau's declaration, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself," reveals a remarkable shift in his heart. It signifies a profound contentment and freedom from bitterness that can only be attributed to the working of God. This response stands in stark contrast to the greed and competitive spirit that characterized their earlier interactions. Esau does not need gifts for appeasement; his sufficiency comes from a place of inner peace and the absence of a desire for retribution. His address of Jacob as "my brother" solidifies the true nature of their reconciliation, showing that the long-standing family rupture is now healed, not by Jacob's strategic offerings, but by a genuine change of heart. This moment highlights God's sovereignty over human interactions, demonstrating how He can soften even the most hardened hearts and orchestrate peace where enmity once resided, far beyond human efforts or manipulation.