Genesis 32:11

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.

Deliver me {H5337}, I pray thee, from the hand {H3027} of my brother {H251}, from the hand {H3027} of Esau {H6215}: for I fear {H3373} him, lest he will come {H935} and smite me {H5221}, and the mother {H517} with {H5921} the children {H1121}.

Please! Rescue me from my brother 'Esav! I'm afraid of him, afraid he'll come and attack me, without regard for mothers or children.

Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, the mother with the children.

Commentary

Genesis 32:11 records Jacob's desperate prayer to God as he prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau. This verse is a poignant expression of Jacob's deep fear and his reliance on divine intervention, highlighting his vulnerability despite his past cunning.

Context

After twenty years of service to Laban, Jacob is returning to the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's command (Genesis 31:3). He sends messengers ahead to Esau, hoping to find favor, but receives alarming news: Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. Interpreting this as a hostile advance, Jacob is "greatly afraid and distressed" (Genesis 32:7). This prayer in verse 11 is part of a longer, heartfelt supplication (Genesis 32:9-12) where Jacob reminds God of His promises before his pivotal encounter and subsequent wrestling match at Peniel.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Faith: Jacob openly admits his intense fear (Hebrew: yare, "to be afraid") of Esau's potential violence. Yet, his fear drives him to prayer, demonstrating that faith is not the absence of fear, but trusting God amidst it. He casts his anxiety upon the Lord, acknowledging his own helplessness.
  • Divine Deliverance and Providence: The central plea is for God to "deliver" him (Hebrew: hatzileini, "rescue me"), showing Jacob's absolute dependence on God's power and faithfulness. He appeals to God's past promises to be with him and to bring him back to his land (Genesis 32:9).
  • Protection of Family: Jacob's deepest concern is for the safety of his family โ€“ "the mother with the children." This highlights the protective instinct of a patriarch and the devastating potential consequences of Esau's wrath, especially for the most vulnerable.
  • Consequences of Past Actions: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, Jacob's fear is rooted in his past deception of Esau, particularly regarding the stolen birthright and blessing. This encounter forces Jacob to face the repercussions of his choices.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "deliver me" comes from the Hebrew root natzal (ื ึธืฆึทืœ), meaning "to snatch away," "to rescue," or "to pull out." It conveys a sense of urgent and forceful rescue from impending danger. Jacob is not asking for a gentle easing of tension, but for a powerful intervention to save his life and his family from a violent attack ("smite me," from nakah, meaning "to strike down" or "kill").

Practical Application

Jacob's prayer in Genesis 32:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Honest Prayer: It is permissible, and even healthy, to bring our deepest fears and anxieties before God. Jacob didn't pretend to be brave; he confessed his fear directly.
  2. Trust in God's Promises: Even when facing dire circumstances, we can anchor our prayers in God's character and His past promises, reminding ourselves (and Him, in a sense) of His faithfulness.
  3. Intercession for Loved Ones: Jacob's primary concern was for his family, reminding us to pray fervently for the protection and well-being of those we love.
  4. Facing Consequences with Faith: Sometimes, our fears stem from past mistakes. This verse shows that even when facing the consequences of our actions, we can still turn to God for mercy and deliverance, as Jacob did, leading to eventual reconciliation with Esau.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 59:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

  • Psalms 59:2 (3 votes)

    Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

  • Proverbs 18:19 (3 votes)

    ยถ A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

  • Matthew 6:13 (2 votes)

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  • Daniel 3:17 (2 votes)

    If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

  • 1 Samuel 24:15 (2 votes)

    The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

  • Hosea 10:14 (2 votes)

    Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.