Genesis 32:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Please! Rescue me from my brother 'Esav! I'm afraid of him, afraid he'll come and attack me, without regard for mothers or children.

Berean Standard Bible:

Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

American Standard Version:

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, the mother with the children.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Deliver me^{H5337}, I pray thee, from the hand^{H3027} of my brother^{H251}, from the hand^{H3027} of Esau^{H6215}: for I fear^{H3373} him, lest he will come^{H935} and smite me^{H5221}, and the mother^{H517} with^{H5921} the children^{H1121}.

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Commentary for Genesis 32:11

Genesis 32:11 is part of the narrative concerning the patriarch Jacob, who is preparing to reunite with his estranged twin brother Esau after many years of separation. The verse captures Jacob's prayer for deliverance from a potential attack by Esau, whom he fears might seek vengeance for past grievances, particularly the theft of their father Isaac's blessing, which was rightfully Esau's as the firstborn.

**Themes:**
1. **Fear and Vulnerability:** Jacob expresses a deep fear for his life and the safety of his family, highlighting his vulnerability despite his wealth and status.
2. **Reconciliation:** The prayer reflects the tension inherent in the upcoming meeting between the brothers, setting the stage for a theme of reconciliation that is central to the narrative.
3. **Divine Protection:** Jacob's plea for divine intervention underscores the theme of God's protection and faithfulness, as Jacob acknowledges his dependence on God in the face of human conflict.
4. **Consequences of Past Actions:** The verse alludes to the long-term consequences of deceit and the complex dynamics within families, particularly between siblings.

**Historical Context:**
The verse is set in the context of ancient Near Eastern family dynamics, where sibling rivalry and the rights of the firstborn were significant cultural and legal issues. Jacob's encounter with Esau occurs after Jacob has spent many years in Haran, where he amassed wealth and a large family. The historical context includes the practices of obtaining blessings, the importance of family lineage, and the potential for conflict over inheritance and status within the family. Jacob's return to Canaan is a pivotal moment that will determine the future of his family line, which will eventually become the nation of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5337
   There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָצַל
   Transliteration: nâtsal
   Pronunciation: naw-tsal'
   Description: a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out).
   
2. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
3. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6215
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵשָׂו
   Transliteration: ʻÊsâv
   Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
   Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3373
   There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵא
   Transliteration: yârêʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
   Description: from יָרֵא; fearing; morally, reverent; afraid, fear (-ful).
   
6. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
8. Strong's Number: H517
   There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵם
   Transliteration: ʼêm
   Pronunciation: ame
   Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5921
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַל
   Transliteration: ʻal
   Pronunciation: al
   Description: properly, the same as עַל used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications; above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with.
   
10. Strong's Number: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.