King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
Complete Jewish Bible:
with these instructions: "Here is what you are to say to my lord 'Esav: 'Your servant Ya'akov says, "I have been living with Lavan and have stayed until now.
Berean Standard Bible:
He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.
American Standard Version:
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he commanded{H6680} them, saying{H559}, Thus shall ye speak{H559} unto my lord{H113} Esau{H6215}; Thy servant{H5650} Jacob{H3290} saith{H559} thus, I have sojourned{H1481} with Laban{H3837}, and stayed there{H309} until now:
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Peter 3:6
- Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Proverbs 6:3
- Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
Genesis 27:37
- And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
Genesis 23:6
- Hear us, my lord: thou [art] a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
Genesis 27:29
- Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee.
Genesis 33:8
- 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.
Exodus 32:22
- And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they [are set] on mischief.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 32:4
Genesis 32:4 is part of the narrative concerning Jacob, one of the patriarchs of the Israelites, and his complex relationship with his brother Esau. The verse occurs within the context of Jacob's return to Canaan after a long period of living with his uncle Laban in Haran. Jacob had fled from Canaan to Laban's house to escape the wrath of Esau, whom he had previously deceived to obtain their father Isaac's blessing.
In this verse, Jacob is preparing to meet Esau once again after many years. He sends messengers ahead with a carefully crafted message to Esau. The language Jacob uses in his message is significant; he refers to himself as "thy servant Jacob," indicating a posture of humility and respect towards Esau, who would naturally be his social superior as the firstborn. Jacob also emphasizes that he has lived ("sojourned") with Laban and remained there until the present time. This statement serves both as an explanation for his long absence and as a subtle reminder of the passage of time, suggesting that old grievances might be set aside.
The themes present in this verse include reconciliation, humility, and the passage of time as a healer of past wounds. Historically, this moment is pivotal in the relationship between Jacob and Esau, setting the stage for their eventual reunion, which will demonstrate Esau's forgiveness and the restoration of their brotherly bond. This event also marks a significant transition in Jacob's life as he moves from being a sojourner under Laban's authority to reclaiming his place in the land of his ancestors, a step that will lead to the fulfillment of the promises made to him by God.
*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: 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: H113
There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
Pronunciation: aw-done'
Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - 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: 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. - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H1481
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּר
Transliteration: gûwr
Pronunciation: goor
Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H3837
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָבָן
Transliteration: Lâbân
Pronunciation: law-bawn'
Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban. - Strong's Number: H309
There are 442 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָחַר
Transliteration: ʼâchar
Pronunciation: aw-khar'
Description: a primitive root; to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate; continue, defer, delay, hinder, be late (slack), stay (there), tarry (longer).