And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He also instructed the second servant, and the third, and all that followed the droves, "When you encounter 'Esav, you are to speak to him in the same way,
Berean Standard Bible:
He 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.
American Standard Version:
And he commanded also the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him;
**Themes:**
- Preparation for Reconciliation: The verse reflects Jacob's careful planning as he prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau after many years. Jacob is anticipating a potentially hostile encounter and is taking steps to mitigate the situation.
- Diplomacy and Strategy: Jacob's instructions to his servants show his use of diplomacy and strategic communication to appease Esau, highlighting the importance of words and negotiation in conflict resolution.
- Humility and Atonement: By referring to himself as "thy servant" and to Esau as "my lord," Jacob demonstrates humility, which is a significant theme in the context of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.
**Historical Context:**
- Background of Conflict: Jacob and Esau were twin brothers with a contentious relationship. Jacob had previously deceived their father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, leading to Jacob fleeing to avoid Esau's wrath.
- Return and Anticipation: After years of working for his uncle Laban, Jacob is returning to his homeland with his family and possessions. He is anxious about his impending reunion with Esau, knowing that Esau might still harbor resentment.
- Wealth and Gifts: Jacob sends a series of gifts to Esau in an attempt to pacify any lingering anger. This was a common practice in the ancient Near East to honor a superior or to seek favor from someone powerful.
In summary, Genesis 32:19 captures Jacob's strategic efforts to reconcile with his brother Esau, using respectful language and gifts to smooth over past grievances, set against the backdrop of a complex family history marked by deception and rivalry.
*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: H1571 There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: גַּם Transliteration: gam Pronunciation: gam Description: by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather; properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and; again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
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: H8145 There are 151 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שֵׁנִי Transliteration: shênîy Pronunciation: shay-nee' Description: from שָׁנָה; properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again; again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time).
Strong's Number: H7992 There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שְׁלִישִׁי Transliteration: shᵉlîyshîy Pronunciation: shel-ee-shee' Description: ordinal from שָׁלוֹשׁ; third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell); third (part, rank, time), three (years old).
Strong's Number: H1980 There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: הָלַךְ Transliteration: hâlak Pronunciation: haw-lak' Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.
Strong's Number: H310 There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אַחַר Transliteration: ʼachar Pronunciation: akh-ar' Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
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.
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: H1697 There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: דָּבָר Transliteration: dâbâr Pronunciation: daw-baw' Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
Strong's Number: H1696 There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: דָבַר Transliteration: dâbar Pronunciation: daw-bar' Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
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: H4672 There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מָצָא Transliteration: mâtsâʼ Pronunciation: maw-tsaw' Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.