Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ New Living Translation He gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: “When my brother, Esau, meets you, he will ask, ‘Whose servants are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?’ English Standard Version He instructed the first, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ Berean Standard Bible He instructed the one in the lead, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, where are you going, and whose animals are these before you?’ King James Bible And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? New King James Version And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’ New American Standard Bible And he commanded the one in front, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong?’ NASB 1995 He commanded the one in front, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong?’ NASB 1977 And he commanded the one in front, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong?’ Legacy Standard Bible And he commanded the first one in front, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong?’ Amplified Bible Then he commanded the one in front, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks to whom you belong, and where you are going, and whose are the animals in front of you? Christian Standard Bible And he told the first one, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to? Where are you going? And whose animals are these ahead of you? ’ Holman Christian Standard Bible And he told the first one: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to? Where are you going? And whose animals are these ahead of you?’ American Standard Version And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? Contemporary English Version Then he said to the servant in charge of the first herd, "When Esau meets you, he will ask whose servant you are. He will want to know where you are going and who owns those animals in front of you. English Revised Version And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? GOD'S WORD® Translation He commanded the first servant, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and whose animals are these ahead of you?' Good News Translation He ordered the first servant, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these animals in front of you?' International Standard Version To the first group he said, "When you meet my brother Esau, if he asks, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And to whom do these herds belong?' NET Bible He instructed the servant leading the first herd, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? Whose herds are you driving?' New Heart English Bible He instructed the first, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these ahead of you?' Webster's Bible Translation And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau, my brother, meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe instructed the one in the lead, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, where are you going, and whose animals are these before you?’ World English Bible He commanded the foremost, saying, “When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, ‘Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he commands the first, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you, and has asked you, saying, Whose [are] you? And to where do you go? And whose [are] these before you? Young's Literal Translation And he commandeth the first, saying, 'When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and hath asked thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? Smith's Literal Translation And he will command the first, saying, When Esau my brother shall meet thee and ask thee saying, To whom thou? and whither wilt thou go? and to whom these before thee? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he commanded the first, saying: If thou meet my brother Esau, and he ask thee: Whose art thou? or whither goest thou? or whose are these before thee? Catholic Public Domain Version And he instructed the first, saying: “If you happen to meet my brother Esau, and he questions you: “Whose are you?” or, “Where are you going?” or, “Whose are these which follow you?” New American Bible He ordered the servant in the lead, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? To whom do these animals ahead of you belong?’ New Revised Standard Version He instructed the foremost, “When Esau my brother meets you, and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he commanded the leader of the first drove, and said to him, When Esau my brother meets you, and asks you, saying, Who are you? and where are you going? and whose are these that are before you? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he commanded the leader and said to him, “When Esau my brother meets you and he asks you and says to you, ‘Who are you and where are you going, and whose are these that are before you?’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he commanded the foremost, saying: 'When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying: Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? Brenton Septuagint Translation And he charged the first, saying, If Esau my brother meet thee, and he ask thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither wouldest thou go, and whose are these possessions advancing before thee? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob's Fear of Esau…16He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.” 17He instructed the one in the lead, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, where are you going, and whose animals are these before you?’ 18then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’ ”… Cross References Genesis 33:3-4 But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. / Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. Genesis 18:2-5 And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. / Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ... Genesis 43:11-14 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. / Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. / Take your brother as well, and return to the man at once. ... Genesis 45:9-11 Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. / You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. / And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’ Genesis 50:17-21 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ... Exodus 18:7-9 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent. / Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. / And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians. Numbers 22:32-33 The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me. / The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.” 1 Samuel 25:18-19 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys / and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. 2 Samuel 16:1-2 When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. / “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Luke 14:31-32 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. Luke 15:18-20 I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Treasury of Scripture And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meets you, and asks you, saying, Whose are you? and where go you? and whose are these before you? Whose art. Genesis 33:3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. Jump to Previous Animals Belong Commanded Commandeth Esau First Foremost Front Goest Instructed Lead Meeteth Meets Orders Owns Servant WhitherJump to Next Animals Belong Commanded Commandeth Esau First Foremost Front Goest Instructed Lead Meeteth Meets Orders Owns Servant WhitherGenesis 32 1. Jacob's vision at Mahanaim.3. His message to Esau. 6. He is afraid of Esau's coming. 9. He prays for deliverance. 13. He sends a present to Esau, and passes the brook Jabbok. 24. He wrestles with an angel at Peniel, where he is called Israel. 31. He halts. He instructed the one in the lead Jacob, preparing to meet Esau, strategically sends his servants ahead with gifts. This reflects his cautious and diplomatic approach, aiming to appease Esau's potential anger. The act of sending messengers or gifts ahead was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures to show respect or seek favor. When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong where are you going and whose animals are these before you?’ Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch who is returning to his homeland after years of living with his uncle Laban. He is preparing to meet his brother Esau, whom he had previously deceived. 2. Esau Jacob's brother, who was wronged by Jacob years earlier when Jacob stole his birthright and blessing. Jacob fears Esau's potential wrath. 3. Messengers Servants sent by Jacob to deliver gifts to Esau as a peace offering, in hopes of appeasing him before their meeting. 4. Canaan The land to which Jacob is returning, the Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants. 5. Paddan-aram The region where Jacob had been living with Laban, his uncle, and where he acquired his family and wealth. Teaching Points Preparation and HumilityJacob's actions demonstrate the importance of preparing for reconciliation with humility. He sends gifts ahead to Esau, acknowledging his past wrongs and seeking peace. Trust in God's Promises Despite his fear, Jacob is acting on God's promise to be with him. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness even when facing difficult situations. The Power of Reconciliation Jacob's account highlights the transformative power of reconciliation. It is a reminder of the importance of seeking peace and mending broken relationships. Faith in Action Jacob's strategic planning, combined with prayer, shows that faith often requires action. Believers are called to actively pursue solutions while trusting in God's guidance. Facing Past Mistakes Jacob's encounter with Esau is a powerful example of facing past mistakes and seeking forgiveness. It encourages believers to address unresolved issues in their own lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 32:17?2. How does Genesis 32:17 demonstrate Jacob's strategic planning and foresight? 3. What does Jacob's instruction reveal about his relationship with Esau? 4. How can we apply Jacob's approach to conflict resolution in our lives? 5. What biblical principles of humility and reconciliation are evident in Genesis 32:17? 6. How does Jacob's preparation reflect trust in God's promises from earlier chapters? 7. What is the significance of Jacob's instructions to his servants in Genesis 32:17? 8. How does Genesis 32:17 reflect Jacob's strategy for reconciliation with Esau? 9. What does Genesis 32:17 reveal about Jacob's character and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 32? 11. Who was Leah in the Bible? 12. How often should we forgive others? 13. What are the key events in the Book of Genesis? 14. How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives? What Does Genesis 32:17 Mean He instructed the one in the lead“Jacob instructed the one in the lead” (Genesis 32:17a). • Jacob personally oversees every detail, revealing responsible leadership that trusts God yet plans wisely (cf. Proverbs 16:9; Genesis 31:38-40). • He has already divided his camp for protection (Genesis 32:7-8) and now arranges the procession of gifts—evidence of thoughtful stewardship (Luke 16:10). • Hands-on direction echoes how Abraham guided his servant in Genesis 24:2-4; godly leaders stay involved rather than delegating carelessly (1 Peter 5:2-3). When my brother Esau meets you “when my brother Esau meets you” (Genesis 32:17b). • The words “my brother” acknowledge their blood bond despite years of estrangement (Genesis 27:41; 33:4). • Jacob anticipates real contact, trusting God’s promise of safe return (Genesis 31:3) while preparing for possible hostility (Genesis 32:6-11). • Faith acts, yet prudence prepares (Nehemiah 4:9), demonstrating that reliance on God never excuses passivity. and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, “and asks, ‘To whom do you belong’” (Genesis 32:17c). • Identity is the first concern. Jacob wants the servants to affirm that they are his, not hostile strangers, echoing the servant’s question to Rebekah in Genesis 24:23. • In relationships, clear identification builds trust; even Paul introduces himself plainly in Romans 1:1 before presenting doctrine. • Jacob’s ownership claim subtly reminds Esau that God has blessed his brother, fulfilling Genesis 28:13-15. where are you going, “where are you going” (Genesis 32:17d). • Direction matters. Jacob’s caravan is not a raiding party but a peace mission toward Seir (Genesis 32:3). • God had told Jacob to “return to the land of your fathers” (Genesis 31:3), so every step aligns with divine instruction. • Like Abram’s obedience in Genesis 12:4, Jacob’s path is proof of faith in action (Hebrews 11:8-9). and whose animals are these before you? “and whose animals are these before you?” (Genesis 32:17e). • The livestock are the tangible part of Jacob’s offering, selected from the abundance God provided (Genesis 30:43). • Gifts given ahead of the giver mirror Proverbs 18:16—“A man’s gift opens doors.” Jacob prepares a path for reconciliation (Genesis 33:10-11). • The question also invites testimony: the animals belong to Jacob, yet ultimately to the Lord who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). summary Genesis 32:17 shows Jacob orchestrating a carefully worded encounter designed to soften Esau’s heart while testifying to God’s blessing. Each phrase highlights responsible leadership, honest identification, obedience to divine direction, and generous giving. Together they picture faith that acts wisely, trusting God’s promises yet employing thoughtful means to pursue peace. Verses 17-20. - And he commanded the foremost, saying (with admirable tact and prudence), When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee! then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he (Jacob) is behind us. And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him - literally, in your finding of him. And say ye (literally, and ye shall say) moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is Behind us" for he thought that this would convince Esau that he Went to 'meet him with complete confidence, and without apprehension" (Kalisch) - for he said (the historian adds the motive which explained Jacob's singular behavior), I will appease him (literally, I will cover his face, meaning I will prevent him from seeing my past offences, i.e. I will turn away his anger or pacify him, as in Proverbs 16:14) with the present that goeth before me, - literally, going before my face. So Abigail appeased David with a present (1 Samuel 25:18-32) - and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me - literally, lift up my face; a proverbial expression for granting a favorable reception (cf. Genesis 19:21; Job 42:8). "Jacob did not miscalculate the influence of his princely offerings, and I verily believe there is not an emeer or sheikh in all Gilead at this day who would not be appeased by such presents; and from my personal knowledge of Orientals, I should say that Jacob need not have been in such great terror, following in their rear. Far less will now 'make room,' as Solomon says, for any offender, however atrocious, and bring him before great men with acceptance" ('Land and Book,' p. 371).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He instructedוַיְצַ֥ו (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order the one in the lead, הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן (hā·ri·šō·wn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank “When כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction my brother אָחִ֗י (’ā·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) Esau עֵשָׂ֣ו (‘ê·śāw) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac meets יִֽפְגָּשְׁךָ֞ (yip̄·gā·šə·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6298: To come in contact with, to concur you and asks, וִשְׁאֵֽלְךָ֙ (wiš·’ê·lə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand ‘To whom לְמִי־ (lə·mî-) Preposition-l | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix do you belong, אַ֙תָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you where וְאָ֣נָה (wə·’ā·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 575: Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither are you going, תֵלֵ֔ךְ (ṯê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and whose וּלְמִ֖י (ū·lə·mî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix animals are these אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those before you?’ לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face Links Genesis 32:17 NIVGenesis 32:17 NLT Genesis 32:17 ESV Genesis 32:17 NASB Genesis 32:17 KJV Genesis 32:17 BibleApps.com Genesis 32:17 Biblia Paralela Genesis 32:17 Chinese Bible Genesis 32:17 French Bible Genesis 32:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 32:17 He commanded the foremost saying When Esau (Gen. 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