TRV
Translation
King James Version
Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
Complete Jewish Bible
two hundred female goats and twenty males, two hundred female sheep and twenty males,
American Standard Version
two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
World English Bible Messianic
two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Two hundreth shee goates and twenty hee goates, two hundreth ewes and twentie rammes:
Young's Literal Translation
she-goats two hundred, and he-goats twenty, ewes two hundred, and rams twenty,
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In the KJVVerse 943 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 32 verses 13–23
13 ¶ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
18 Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
19 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.
20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
Jacob, having piously made God his friend by a prayer, is here prudently endeavouring to make Esau his friend by a present. He had prayed to God to deliver him from the had of Esau, for he feared him; but neither did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits for the use of means, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. Note, When we have prayed to God for any mercy, we must second our prayers with our endeavours; else, instead of trusting god, we tempt him; we must so depend upon God's providence as to make use of our own prudence. "Help thyself, and God will help thee;" God answers our prayers by teaching us to order our affairs with discretion. To pacify Esau,
I. Jacob sent him a very noble present, not of jewels or fine garments (he had them not), but of cattle, to the number of 580 in all, Gen 32:13-15. Now, 1. It was an evidence of the great increase with which God had blessed Jacob that he could spare such a number of cattle out of his stock. 2. It was an evidence of his wisdom that he would willingly part with some, to secure the rest; some men's covetousness loses them more than ever it gained them, and, by grudging a little damage; skin for skin, and all that a man has, if he be a wise man, he will give for his life. 3. It was a present that he thought would be acceptable to Esau, who had traded so much in hunting wild beasts that perhaps he was but ill furnished with tame cattle with which to stock his new conquests. And we may suppose that the mixed colours of Jacob's cattle, ring-straked, speckled, and spotted, would please Esau's fancy. 4. He promised himself that by this present he should gain Esau's favour; for a gift commonly prospers, which way soever it turns (Pro 17:8), and makes room for a man (Pro 18:16); nay, it pacifies anger and strong wrath, Pro 21:14. Note, [1.] We must not despair of reconciling ourselves even to those that have been most exasperated against us; we ought not to judge men unappeasable, till we have tried to appease them. [2.] Peace and love, though purchased dearly, will prove a good bargain to the purchaser. Many a morose ill-natured man would have said, in Jacob's case, "Esau has vowed my death without cause, and he shall never be a farthing the better for me; I will see him far enough before I will send him a present:" but Jacob forgives and forgets.
II. He sent him a very humble message, which he ordered his servants to deliver in the best manner, Gen 32:17, Gen 32:18. They must call Esau their lord, and Jacob his servant; they must tell him the cattle they had was a small present which Jacob had sent him, as a specimen of his acquisitions while he was abroad. The cattle he sent were to be disposed of in several droves, and the servants that attended each drove were to deliver the same message, that the present might appear the more valuable, and his submission, so often repeated, might be the more likely to influence Esau. They must especially take care to tell him that Jacob was coming after (Gen 32:18-20), that he might not suspect he had fled through fear. Note, A friendly confidence in men's goodness may help to prevent the mischief designed us by their badness: if Jacob will seem not to be afraid of Esau, Esau, it may be hoped, will not be a terror to Jacob.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–23. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 32:14 meticulously itemizes the initial components of the substantial gift Jacob prepared for his estranged brother Esau, an act of strategic diplomacy intended to appease Esau's potential wrath and facilitate reconciliation before their long-anticipated reunion. This precise inventory underscores Jacob's profound anxiety and his willingness to expend significant resources in pursuit of peace and the preservation of his family.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Genesis 32:14 is Enumeration, which is the detailed listing of items. Here, it is used to precisely quantify the animals in Jacob's gift, emphasizing the sheer scale and meticulous planning involved. This enumeration continues into the subsequent verses (Genesis 32:15), building a sense of the overwhelming generosity and strategic intent behind Jacob's actions. The precise numbers (200, 20) lend an air of authenticity and highlight Jacob's careful stewardship of his wealth. Furthermore, the Parallelism in the structure of the two clauses, listing "two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats" followed by "two hundred ewes and twenty rams," creates a rhythmic effect and underscores the balanced and comprehensive nature of the offering. This detailed listing serves to impress upon the reader the magnitude of Jacob's anxiety and his extraordinary efforts to achieve reconciliation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's strategic and costly gift, detailed in this verse, beautifully illustrates the interplay between human responsibility and divine providence. While Jacob had just prayed earnestly for God's deliverance based on His promises, he did not passively await a miracle. Instead, he actively engaged in prudent planning and generous action, demonstrating that faith often calls for diligent preparation and wise stewardship alongside spiritual reliance. This costly act of humility and generosity reflects the sacrificial nature often required to bridge divides and restore broken relationships, foreshadowing the greater cost of grace in the New Testament.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's meticulously planned and lavish gift in Genesis 32:14 offers profound lessons for believers today regarding proactive peacemaking and the balance between faith and action. It challenges us to consider what "costly grace" might look like in our own efforts toward reconciliation. Just as Jacob, after fervent prayer, took tangible steps to mend a broken relationship, we are called to move beyond mere good intentions. This might involve initiating difficult conversations, offering genuine apologies, extending forgiveness, or even making significant personal sacrifices to restore harmony. The verse reminds us that true reconciliation often requires humility, generosity, and a willingness to put the other person's well-being above our own pride or perceived rights. It encourages us to be proactive agents of peace in our families, communities, and even in broader societal contexts, remembering that our efforts, though human, are undertaken in reliance on God's power to transform hearts and circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jacob offer such a large gift to Esau?
Answer: Jacob's immense gift, detailed in this verse and the following, was a strategic act of appeasement designed to pacify Esau's potential anger and avert a violent confrontation. Given Esau was approaching with 400 men (Genesis 32:6), Jacob feared for his life and the safety of his family. The gift's sheer size and value were intended to convey profound respect, humility, and a desire for reconciliation, hoping to "appease" Esau's countenance before their direct encounter (Genesis 32:20). It was a practical demonstration of his desire for peace after decades of estrangement.
How does Jacob's gift-giving relate to his prayer for deliverance?
Answer: Jacob's actions demonstrate a crucial balance between spiritual reliance and practical wisdom. After earnestly praying to God for deliverance and reminding Him of His promises (Genesis 32:9-12), Jacob did not passively wait. Instead, he strategically prepared this substantial gift and divided his camp, showing that faith is often accompanied by responsible human effort and foresight. His actions illustrate that trusting God does not negate the need for prudent planning and diligent work. It's a powerful example of "praying as if everything depends on God, and working as if everything depends on you."
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's costly gift to appease Esau, though a human effort driven by fear and a desire for reconciliation, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate act of reconciliation and appeasement found in Christ. While Jacob's offering aimed to pacify a brother's anger and restore an earthly relationship, it points to the infinitely greater "gift" of Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross was the perfect and sufficient offering to appease divine wrath and reconcile fallen humanity to a holy God. Jacob's strategic giving highlights humanity's inability to fully reconcile without costly intervention, pointing to the unmerited grace offered through Jesus, who became the ultimate "propitiation" for our sins (1 John 2:2). Through His death, Christ bridged the chasm between God and humanity, offering a peace that Jacob's material gifts could never provide, making us "at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Thus, Jacob's act of costly appeasement serves as a profound Old Testament shadow, directing our gaze to the Lamb of God who truly "takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), securing eternal reconciliation.