King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
Complete Jewish Bible:
putting the slave-girls and their children first, Le'ah and her children second, and Rachel and Yosef last.
Berean Standard Bible:
He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
American Standard Version:
And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he put{H7760} the handmaids{H8198} and their children{H3206} foremost{H7223}, and Leah{H3812} and her children{H3206} after{H314}, and Rachel{H7354} and Joseph{H3130} hindermost{H314}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 30:22
- And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
Genesis 30:24
- And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.
Genesis 29:30
- And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
Genesis 37:3
- Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colours.
Malachi 3:17
- And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 33:2
Genesis 33:2 is a verse that captures a moment of strategic planning and familial prioritization by the biblical patriarch Jacob. The verse is set within the broader narrative of Jacob's preparation to meet his estranged brother Esau, whom he fears might still harbor animosity towards him after Jacob deceitfully obtained their father's blessing many years prior. As Jacob anticipates this encounter, he arranges his family in a specific order, placing his concubines' children at the front, followed by Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and her son Joseph at the rear.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the family dynamics and societal norms of the ancient Near East, where the protection of the most vulnerable and the strategic positioning of family members could be crucial in times of potential conflict. By placing the handmaids and their children in the forefront, Jacob may have been using them as a buffer, potentially to shield his favored wife Rachel and her son Joseph from any harm. This action reflects the patriarchal customs of the time, where wives and children were considered part of a man's household and assets, and their safety was of paramount importance.
The themes present in this verse include fear and reconciliation, as Jacob is fearful of Esau's possible wrath but is also moving towards a hopeful reconciliation. It also touches on the themes of family loyalty, protection, and the complex relationships within a polygamous household. Jacob's careful positioning of his family members reveals his deep love for Rachel and Joseph, as well as his sense of responsibility for all his wives and children. The verse underscores the tension and uncertainty of the moment, while also highlighting Jacob's role as a protector and leader of 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)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H8198
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁפְחָה
Transliteration: shiphchâh
Pronunciation: shif-khaw'
Description: feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see מִשְׁפָּחָה); a female slave (as a member of the household); (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. - Strong's Number: H3206
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֶלֶד
Transliteration: yeled
Pronunciation: yeh'-led
Description: from יָלַד; something born, i.e. a lad or offspring; boy, child, fruit, son, young man (one). - 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: H3812
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵאָה
Transliteration: Lêʼâh
Pronunciation: lay-aw'
Description: from לָאָה; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob; Leah. - Strong's Number: H314
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֲרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼachărôwn
Pronunciation: akh-ar-one'
Description: or (shortened) אַחֲרֹן; from אָחַר; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western; after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. - Strong's Number: H7354
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחֵל
Transliteration: Râchêl
Pronunciation: raw-khale'
Description: the same as רָחֵל; Rachel, a wife of Jacob; Rachel. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.