And he passed over before them,.... At the head of them, as the master of the family, exposing himself to the greatest danger for them, and in order to protect and defend them in the best manner he could, or to endeavour to soften the mind of his brother by an address, should there be any occasion for it:and bowed himself to the ground seven times; in a civil way, as was the manner in the eastern countries towards great personages; and this he did to Esau as being his elder brother, and as superior to him in grandeur and wealth, being lord of a considerable country; and at the same time religious adoration might be made to God; while he thus bowed to the ground, his heart might be going up to God in prayer, that he would appear for him at this instant, and deliver him and his family from perishing by his brother; and so the Targum of Jonathan introduces this clause,"praying, and asking mercies of the Lord, and bowed, &c.'
Bible Commentary
Genesis 33:3
Genesis 33:3
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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Genesis 33 — OverviewGenesis 33 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe read, in the former chapter, how Jacob had power with God, and
prevailed; here we find what power he had with men too, and how his
brother Esau was mollified, and, on a sudden, reconciled to him; for so
it…Genesis 33 — OverviewGenesis 33 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGenesis 33:1, Jacob and Esau’s meeting; and Esau’s departure; Genesis 33:17, Jacob comes to Succoth; Genesis 33:18, At Shalem he buys a field, and builds an altar, called El-elohe-Israel.Genesis 33 — OverviewGenesis 33 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter we find Esau meeting Jacob in a friendly manner, contrary to his fears and expectation, having set his family in order in case of the worst, Ge 33:1; putting questions to Jacob concerning the women and…Genesis 33:1-4Genesis 33:1-4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere, I. Jacob discovered Esau's approach, v. 1. Some think that his
lifting up his eyes denotes his cheerfulness and confidence, in
opposition to a dejected countenance; having by prayer committed his
case to…Genesis 33:1-20Genesis 33:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION
Genesis 33:1, Genesis 33:2
And Jacob, having the day before dispatched his conciliatory gift to Esau, turned his back upon the Jabbok, having crossed to the south bank, if the previous night had been spent…Genesis 33:1-20Genesis 33:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryJacob and Esau, or the brothers reconciled.
I. THE MEETING OF THE BROTHERS.
1. The approach of Esau.
2. The advance of Jacob.
3. The reconciliation of both. The conflict of emotions in the breast of Esau was brought…
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