Genesis 32:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he delivered [them] into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He turned them over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, "Cross over in front of me, and keep a space between each drove and the next

Berean Standard Bible:

He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”

American Standard Version:

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he delivered^{H5414} them into the hand^{H3027} of his servants^{H5650}, every drove^{H5739} by themselves; and said^{H559} unto his servants^{H5650}, Pass over^{H5674} before me^{H6440}, and put^{H7760} a space^{H7305} betwixt^{H996} drove^{H5739} and^{H996} drove^{H5739}.

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Commentary for Genesis 32:16

**Themes:**
- Preparation and Strategy: The verse reflects Jacob's careful planning and strategic approach to a potentially dangerous situation, as he prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau.
- Diplomacy and Appeasement: Jacob sends gifts to Esau in an attempt to pacify his brother's possible anger and to seek forgiveness for past wrongs.
- Providence and Trust: Despite his manipulative past, Jacob is shown here trusting in God's providence, using wisdom and tact to protect his family and possessions.

**Historical Context:**
Genesis 32:16 is set within the larger narrative of Jacob's return to Canaan after a long sojourn in Haran, where he worked for his uncle Laban and acquired wealth and a large family. The context is significant because Jacob had previously tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing, leading to a strained relationship and Jacob's flight to Haran.

Upon learning that Esau is coming to meet him with four hundred men, Jacob fears for the safety of his family and possessions. In response, he devises a plan to appease Esau by sending a series of gifts, or "droves," ahead of him, each with its own attendants. This is part of his broader strategy to mitigate the risk of conflict upon their reunion.

The verse captures a moment of tension and anticipation in the biblical narrative, highlighting themes of reconciliation, divine providence, and the consequences of past actions, as Jacob seeks to make amends and secure a peaceful future for his family.

*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: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
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: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5739
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדֶר
   Transliteration: ʻêder
   Pronunciation: ay'-der
   Description: from עֲדַר; an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals); drove, flock, herd.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7305
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֶוַח
   Transliteration: revach
   Pronunciation: reh'-vakh
   Description: from רָוַח; room, literally (an interval) or figuratively (deliverance); enlargement, space.
   
10. Strong's Number: H996
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּין
    Transliteration: bêyn
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: (sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly, the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from בִּין; a distinction; but used only as a preposition,; between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or; among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.