King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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?
Complete Jewish Bible:
He instructed the servant in front, "When 'Esav my brother meets you and asks you, 'Whose servant are you? Where are you going? And whose animals are these?'
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?’
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?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he commanded{H6680} the foremost{H7223}, saying{H559}, When Esau{H6215} my brother{H251} meeteth thee{H6298}, and asketh thee{H7592}, saying{H559}, Whose art thou? and whither goest{H3212} thou? and whose are these before{H6440} thee?
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 33:3
- And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 32:17
Genesis 32:17 is part of the narrative concerning Jacob, who is preparing to meet his estranged brother Esau after many years of separation. The historical context of this verse is the patriarchal period, where family dynamics and inheritance were of great importance. Jacob had previously deceived his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, leading to Esau's vow of vengeance and Jacob's flight to Haran.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Reconciliation and Fear**: Jacob is apprehensive about meeting Esau, fearing his brother's potential anger and desire for retribution. This reflects the tension and potential for conflict within family relationships.
2. **Preparation and Strategy**: Jacob carefully prepares for the encounter by sending gifts to Esau in a series of droves, hoping to appease him. This strategic approach to a potentially volatile situation highlights the importance of diplomacy and tact.
3. **Identity and Possession**: The questions Jacob instructs his servants to answer concern identity ("Whose art thou?") and purpose ("Whither goest thou?") as well as ownership ("Whose are these before thee?"). These questions reflect the significance of lineage, destiny, and material possessions in the ancient Near Eastern context.
4. **Divine Providence**: Underlying the narrative is the theme of God's providence and guidance. Despite his manipulative past, Jacob is now a man who has encountered God and is seeking to make amends, trusting in God's protection for the future.
5. **Brotherhood and Forgiveness**: The interaction between Jacob and Esau ultimately points to the possibility of reconciliation between estranged brothers, highlighting themes of forgiveness and the restoration of fractured relationships.
In summary, Genesis 32:17 captures the essence of familial conflict and the hope for reconciliation, set against the backdrop of ancient tribal customs and the sovereignty of God in human affairs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. - Strong's Number: H7223
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
Transliteration: riʼshôwn
Pronunciation: ree-shone'
Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. - 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. - 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. - 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-'. - Strong's Number: H6298
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּגַשׁ
Transliteration: pâgash
Pronunciation: paw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur; meet (with, together). - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - 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.