Genesis 32:18
New International Version
then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’”

New Living Translation
You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’”

English Standard Version
then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’”

Berean Standard Bible
then 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.’”

King James Bible
Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

New King James Version
then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
then you shall say, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a gift sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.’”

NASB 1995
then you shall say, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a present sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.’”

NASB 1977
then you shall say, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a present sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
then you shall say, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a present sent to my lord, to Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.’”

Amplified Bible
then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s; they are a gift sent to my lord Esau. And he also is behind us.’”

Christian Standard Bible
then tell him, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau. And look, he is behind us.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
then tell him, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau. And look, he is behind us.’”

American Standard Version
then thou shalt say They are thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, he also is behind us.

Contemporary English Version
So tell him, 'They belong to your servant Jacob, who is coming this way. He is sending them as a gift to his master Esau.'"

English Revised Version
then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, he also is behind us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
then say, 'Sir, they belong to your servant Jacob. This is a gift sent to you. Jacob is right behind us.'"

Good News Translation
you must answer, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. He sends them as a present to his master Esau. Jacob himself is right behind us.'"

International Standard Version
then you are to reply, 'We're from your servant Jacob. The herds are a gift. He's sending them to my master, Esau. Look! There he is, coming along behind us.'"

Majority Standard Bible
then 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.??

NET Bible
then you must say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They have been sent as a gift to my lord Esau. In fact Jacob himself is behind us.'"

New Heart English Bible
Then you shall say, 'They are your servant, Jacob?s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau. And look, he also is behind us.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then thou shalt say, They are thy servant Jacob's: it is a present sent to my lord Esau: and behold also he is behind us.

World English Bible
Then you shall say, ‘They are your servant, Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord, Esau. Behold, he also is behind us.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then you have said, Your servant Jacob’s: it [is] a present sent to my lord, to Esau; and behold, he also [is] behind us.”

Young's Literal Translation
then thou hast said, Thy servant Jacob's: it is a present sent to my lord, to Esau; and lo, he also is behind us.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou saying, To thy servant, to Jacob: this a gift sent to my lord to Esau, and behold also he is behind us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt answer: Thy servant Jacob's: he hath sent them as a present to my lord Esau: and he cometh after us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
you shall respond: “Your servant Jacob’s. He has sent them as a gift to my lord Esau. And he is also coming after us.”

New American Bible
tell him, ‘To your servant Jacob, but they have been sent as a gift to my lord Esau. Jacob himself is right behind us.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob; they are a present sent to my lord Esau; and moreover he is behind us.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then you shall say to him, They belong to your servant Jacob; they are a present which he has sent to my lord Esau; and, behold, also he is coming behind us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Say to him, ‘Your Servant Yaquuv’s gifts that he sends to my Lord Esau, and behold, he is also coming after us.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then thou shalt say: They are thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord, even unto Esau; and, behold, he also is behind us.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt say, Thy servant Jacob's; he hath sent gifts to my lord Esau, and lo! he is behind us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob's Fear of Esau
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.’” 19He also instructed the second, the third, and all those following behind the herds: “When you meet Esau, you are to say the same thing to him.…

Cross References
Genesis 33:8-11
“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. / “I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.” / But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. ...

Genesis 27:36
So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”

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 45:17-20
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan. / Then bring your father and your families and return to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat from the fat of the land.’ / You are also directed to tell them: ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children and your wives, and bring your father and come back. ...

Genesis 46:5-7
Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. / They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt. / Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.

Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

Exodus 3:21-22
And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. / Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”

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.”

1 Kings 10:1-2
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. / She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

2 Kings 8:8-9
So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

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 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.


Treasury of Scripture

Then you shall say, They be your servant Jacob's; it is a present sent to my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

See on ver.

Genesis 32:4,5
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: …

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Belong Esau Gift Jacob Jacob's Moreover Offering Present Servant They
Genesis 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.














then you are to say
This phrase indicates a direct instruction from Jacob to his servants. It reflects the careful planning and strategy Jacob employs in his approach to Esau, highlighting the importance of communication and preparation in resolving conflicts. This instruction is part of a larger plan to appease Esau, whom Jacob fears due to their past conflict over the birthright and blessing.

‘They belong to your servant Jacob.
Jacob refers to himself as Esau's servant, which is significant given their history. This phrase demonstrates humility and submission, a stark contrast to Jacob's earlier actions when he deceived Esau. The use of "servant" is a cultural expression of respect and an attempt to mend their strained relationship. It also reflects the biblical theme of reconciliation and the importance of humility in relationships.

They are a gift,
The concept of a gift in ancient Near Eastern culture was often used to secure favor or reconciliation. Gifts were a common practice to show respect or to seek peace. This act of giving is symbolic of Jacob's desire to make amends and restore peace with Esau. It also prefigures the biblical principle of giving as a means of reconciliation, as seen in Proverbs 18:16.

sent to my lord Esau.
Referring to Esau as "my lord" is another expression of respect and submission. This phrase acknowledges Esau's position and authority, which Jacob had previously undermined. The use of "lord" is significant in the context of their relationship, as it shows Jacob's recognition of Esau's status and his own willingness to submit. This is a reversal of the earlier prophecy in Genesis 25:23, where the older would serve the younger, highlighting the complexity of their relationship.

And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”
This phrase serves as a reassurance to Esau that Jacob is not far behind, indicating his willingness to meet Esau face-to-face. It shows Jacob's intention to personally reconcile with Esau, rather than merely sending gifts. The mention of Jacob being "behind" also suggests a strategic placement, allowing Esau to first receive the gifts and potentially soften his heart before meeting Jacob. This reflects the biblical theme of reconciliation and the courage required to face past wrongs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The 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 wronged.

2. Esau
Jacob's elder brother, from whom Jacob had taken the birthright and blessing. Esau is now a powerful man, and Jacob fears his potential wrath.

3. Servants
The messengers sent by Jacob to deliver gifts to Esau as a peace offering, demonstrating Jacob's humility and desire for reconciliation.

4. Gifts
The livestock and goods sent by Jacob to Esau as a gesture of goodwill, intended to appease Esau and ensure a peaceful reunion.

5. Paddan-aram
The region where Jacob had been living with Laban, from which he is now returning to Canaan.
Teaching Points
Reconciliation and Humility
Jacob's approach to Esau demonstrates the importance of humility and taking initiative in seeking reconciliation. We should be proactive in mending broken relationships.

The Power of Gifts
Gifts can be a tangible expression of goodwill and can help to soften hearts and pave the way for reconciliation. Consider how you can use your resources to bless others and mend relationships.

Trust in God's Promises
Despite his fear, Jacob is acting in faith, trusting in God's promise to protect him and make his descendants numerous. We should trust in God's promises even when facing difficult situations.

Preparation and Prayer
Jacob's actions are preceded by prayer and preparation. Before facing challenging situations, we should seek God's guidance and prepare our hearts and minds.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then you are to say,
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘They belong to your servant
לְעַבְדְּךָ֣ (lə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

Jacob.
לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

They
הִוא֙ (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

are a gift,
מִנְחָ֥ה (min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

sent
שְׁלוּחָ֔ה (šə·lū·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to my lord
לַֽאדֹנִ֖י (la·ḏō·nî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

Esau.
לְעֵשָׂ֑ו (lə·‘ê·śāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

And behold,
וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

[Jacob]
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is behind us.’”
אַחֲרֵֽינוּ׃ (’a·ḥă·rê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part


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OT Law: Genesis 32:18 Then you shall say 'They are your (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 32:17
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