King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Le'ah too and her children approached and prostrated themselves; and last came Yosef and Rachel; and they prostrated themselves.
Berean Standard Bible:
Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down.
American Standard Version:
And Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Leah{H3812} also with her children{H3206} came near{H5066}, and bowed themselves{H7812}: and after{H310} came{H5066} Joseph{H3130} near{H5066} and Rachel{H7354}, and they bowed{H7812} themselves.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Genesis 33:7
Genesis 33:7 is a verse that captures a moment of reconciliation and family dynamics within the broader narrative of the Patriarchs in the Hebrew Bible. The historical context of this verse is set in the ancient Near East, where familial relationships and social hierarchies were deeply intertwined with tribal structures and customs.
In this verse, we see the family of Jacob, who is also known as Israel, reuniting with his estranged brother Esau. Prior to this moment, Jacob had fled from Esau after deceiving their father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. Years later, with a large family and considerable wealth, Jacob is returning home and is apprehensive about their reunion, fearing Esau's possible retribution for past wrongs.
The verse specifically mentions Leah, Jacob's first wife, who comes with her children to bow before Esau. Leah's presence here is significant; she was the less-favored wife, overshadowed by Rachel, Jacob's beloved. The act of bowing is a sign of respect and submission, indicating that Jacob's family is willingly placing themselves under Esau's authority, seeking his favor and forgiveness.
Following Leah, Joseph and Rachel also approach and bow. Joseph, as the firstborn son of Rachel, holds a special place in the narrative; he will later become the catalyst for the family's migration to Egypt, as told in the subsequent chapters of Genesis. Rachel's delayed appearance may reflect her higher status as Jacob's favored wife, and her bowing along with the rest of the family demonstrates a unified front in seeking reconciliation with Esau.
The themes of Genesis 33:7 include family reconciliation, the acknowledgment of past wrongs, and the importance of social customs in maintaining peace and order within family structures. It also touches on the complex dynamics of polygamous relationships and the societal expectations of the time regarding the hierarchy within a family. This verse is part of a larger narrative that emphasizes God's providence over Jacob's family, which will eventually become the nation of Israel, and foreshadows the future challenges and blessings that this family will encounter.
*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: 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: 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: H5066
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַשׁ
Transliteration: nâgash
Pronunciation: naw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. - Strong's Number: H7812
There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁחָה
Transliteration: shâchâh
Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. - 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: 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. - 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.