New International Version Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. New Living Translation “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.” English Standard Version Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” Berean Standard Bible “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. Berean Literal Bible And he said, “What is all this camp to you, that I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the eyes of my lord.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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.” New American Standard Bible And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” NASB 1995 And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” NASB 1977 And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” Legacy Standard Bible And he said, “What do you mean by all these camps which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” Amplified Bible Esau asked, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he answered, “[These are] to find favor in the sight of my lord.” Berean Annotated Bible “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me? asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord, Jacob answered. Christian Standard Bible So Esau said, “What do you mean by this whole procession I met? ” “To find favor with you, my lord,” he answered. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Esau said, “What do you mean by this whole procession I met?"” To find favor with you, my lord,” he answered.” American Standard Version And he said, What meanest thou by all this company which I met? And he said, To find favor in the sight of my lord. Contemporary English Version Esau asked Jacob, "Why did you send those herds I met along the road?" "Master," Jacob answered, "I sent them so you would be friendly to me." English Revised Version And he said, What meanest thou by all this company which I met? And he said, To find grace in the sight of my lord. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then Esau asked, "Why did you send this whole group [of people and animals] I met?" He answered, "To win your favor, sir." Good News Translation Esau asked, "What about that other group I met? What did that mean?" Jacob answered, "It was to gain your favor." International Standard Version Then Esau asked, "What are all these livestock for?" "To solicit favor from you, sir," Jacob answered. NET Bible Esau then asked, "What did you intend by sending all these herds to meet me?" Jacob replied, "To find favor in your sight, my lord." New Heart English Bible Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my lord." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. World English Bible Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “What to you [is] all this camp which I have met?” And he says, “To find grace in the eyes of my lord.” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “What is all this camp to you, that I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the eyes of my lord.” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'What to thee is all this camp which I have met?' and he saith, 'To find grace in the eyes of my lord.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, What to thee all this camp which I met? and he will say, To find grace in thine eyes, my lord. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Esau said: What are the droves that I met? He answered: That I might find favor before my lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And Esau said, “What are these companies that I have been meeting?” He responded, “So may I find favor before my lord.” New American Bible Then Esau asked, “What did you intend with all those herds that I encountered?” Jacob answered, “It was to gain my lord’s favor.” New Revised Standard Version Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor with my lord.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Esau said to Jacob, Where did you get all this company which I met? And Jacob said to him, Because I have found favor in the sight of my lord. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Esau said, “From where do you have all this camp that met me?”, and Yaquuv said to him, “Because I have found favor in the eyes of my Lord.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'What meanest thou by all this camp which I met?' And he said: 'To find favour in the sight of my lord.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said, What are these things to thee, all these companies that I have met? And he said, That thy servant might find grace in thy sight, my lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jacob Meets Esau…7Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down. 8“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. 9“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.”… Cross References “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. Genesis 32:20 You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.” 1 Samuel 25:27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you. Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. Genesis 32:5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’” Ruth 2:13 “My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.” Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Genesis 32:13-21 Jacob spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau: / 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, / 30 milk camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. … Genesis 43:11 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. Genesis 23:11 “No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.” Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 45:22-23 He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. / And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey. 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.” 2 Kings 5:15-16 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” / But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused. 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. Treasury of Scripture And he said, What mean you by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. Genesis 32:13-20 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; … to find. Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. Genesis 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. Esther 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Jump to Previous Camp Company Drove Droves Esau Eyes Favor Favour Find Grace Herds Jacob Lord's Mean Meanest Met Offering Sight WayJump to Next Camp Company Drove Droves Esau Eyes Favor Favour Find Grace Herds Jacob Lord's Mean Meanest Met Offering Sight WayGenesis 33 1. Jacob and Esau's meeting; and Esau's departure.17. Jacob comes to Succoth. 18. At Shechem he buys a field, and builds an altar, called El Elohe Israel. “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. Esau was surprised by the succession of servants and livestock Jacob had sent ahead. Jacob had divided the gifts into separate droves to communicate goodwill and to soften Esau’s heart before their meeting. Though twenty years had passed since Jacob had taken the blessing, Esau had reason to remember the offense and to question Jacob’s intentions. Gen 32:20 You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob…… “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. Jacob sought reconciliation with humility, honoring Esau as the head of the family and acknowledging the wrong that had separated them. The gifts were not payment for the blessing but an expression of peace and a desire to restore the broken relationship. Jacob’s conduct shows the change God had worked in him as he faced the brother he had once deceived. Gen 32:5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants.… Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, who had previously deceived his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing. In this chapter, Jacob is returning to Canaan after years in Haran and is seeking reconciliation with Esau. 2. Esau The elder brother of Jacob, who was wronged by Jacob in the past. Esau is now meeting Jacob after many years, and there is tension regarding how he will receive Jacob. 3. The Company Refers to the gifts and servants sent by Jacob ahead of his meeting with Esau. This was a gesture of goodwill and an attempt to appease Esau. 4. Canaan The land to which Jacob is returning, which holds significant promise as the land given to Abraham and his descendants. 5. Reconciliation The event of Jacob and Esau meeting after years of estrangement, highlighting themes of forgiveness and restoration. Teaching Points Seeking ReconciliationJacob's approach to Esau demonstrates the importance of taking initiative in mending broken relationships. We should actively seek peace and reconciliation with those we have wronged. Humility in Relationships Jacob refers to Esau as "my lord," showing humility and respect. In our interactions, we should adopt a posture of humility, especially when seeking forgiveness. The Power of Gifts Jacob's use of gifts to appease Esau illustrates how thoughtful gestures can help mend relationships. Consider how acts of kindness can pave the way for reconciliation in your own life. Trust in God's Promises Despite his fear, Jacob moves forward in faith, trusting in God's promises. We are encouraged to trust God even when facing difficult or fearful situations. Forgiveness and Restoration The eventual reconciliation between Jacob and Esau is a powerful reminder of the possibility of forgiveness and restoration, even after deep hurt. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 33:8?2. How does Genesis 33:8 demonstrate Esau's attitude towards Jacob's gifts? 3. What can we learn about reconciliation from Esau's response in Genesis 33:8? 4. How does Esau's reaction in Genesis 33:8 connect to Matthew 5:23-24? 5. How can we apply Esau's example of forgiveness in our own relationships? 6. What does Genesis 33:8 teach about humility and generosity in conflict resolution? 7. What is the significance of Jacob's gift to Esau in Genesis 33:8? 8. How does Genesis 33:8 reflect themes of reconciliation and forgiveness? 9. Why does Jacob refer to his gift as "finding favor" in Genesis 33:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 33? (8) What meanest thou by all this drove . . .? Heb., What is all this camp of thine that I met? From the time of Jacob's coming to Mahanaim, the word mahaneh, "camp," is used in a very remarkable way. It is the word translated bands in Genesis 32:7, and company in Genesis 32:8; Genesis 32:21. It is the proper word for an encampment of pastoral people with their flocks, and might be used not unnaturally of the five droves; for they would remind Esau of the cattle driven in at evening to the place where they were to pass the night.Verse 8. - And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove - literally, What to thee all this camp (Mahaneh) - which I met? - i.e. yesterday, referring to the droves which had been sent on by Jacob as a present to my lord Esau (Genesis 32:16). And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord (vide Genesis 32:5). Genesis 33:8 captures the climactic moment when estranged brothers move from suspicion to reconciliation. Esau’s surprised question allows Jacob to declare his intent: securing favor through humble, concrete restitution. The verse shows how God uses sincere repentance, respectful words, and generous actions to heal old wounds, fulfilling His promise to protect and prosper Jacob while displaying the transforming power of grace in both brothers’ hearts. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Whatמִ֥י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix do you mean by sending this הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every company הַמַּחֲנֶ֥ה (ham·ma·ḥă·neh) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army to meet me?” פָּגָ֑שְׁתִּי (pā·ḡā·šə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6298: To come in contact with, to concur asked Esau. וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “To find לִמְצֹא־ (lim·ṣō-) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present favor חֵ֖ן (ḥên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective in your sight, בְּעֵינֵ֥י (bə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain my lord,” אֲדֹנִֽי׃ (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller [Jacob] answered. וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say Additonal Resources Genesis 33:8 Blue Letter BibleGenesis 33:8 Bible Gateway Genesis 33:8 Bible.com Genesis 33:8 NIV |
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