Genesis 32:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he delivered {H5414} them into the hand {H3027} of his servants {H5650}, every drove {H5739} by themselves; and said {H559} unto his servants {H5650}, Pass over {H5674} before me {H6440}, and put {H7760} a space {H7305} betwixt {H996} drove {H5739} and {H996} drove {H5739}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He turned them over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, "Cross over in front of me, and keep a space between each drove and the next

Berean Standard Bible

He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”

American Standard Version

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Faced with the daunting prospect of reuniting with his estranged brother Esau, Jacob meticulously orchestrates a strategic plan, dispatching a substantial gift of livestock in successive droves. This carefully calculated maneuver was designed to preemptively appease Esau's potential wrath and prepare the way for a peaceful encounter, showcasing Jacob's blend of human prudence and unwavering reliance on divine protection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 32 unfolds as Jacob journeys back to Canaan after two decades in Paddan Aram. The immediate literary context is dominated by Jacob's profound apprehension regarding his impending encounter with Esau, whom he had previously defrauded of his birthright and blessing. After receiving news that Esau was approaching with four hundred men ([Genesis 32:6](/genesis/32-6 "Genesis 32:6 - Esau Approaches with 400 Men")), Jacob's "great fear and distress" ([Genesis 32:7](/genesis/32-7 "Genesis 32:7 - Jacob's Fear and Distress")) prompted a multi-faceted response. He first divided his camp into two, a pragmatic measure to ensure the survival of at least one group if attacked ([Genesis 32:7-8](/genesis/32-7-8 "Genesis 32:7-8 - Jacob Divides His Camp")). Following this, he offered a fervent prayer for deliverance, appealing to God's covenant promises ([Genesis 32:9-12](/genesis/32-9-12 "Genesis 32:9-12 - Jacob's Prayer for Deliverance")). The elaborate gift described in [Genesis 32:13-15](/genesis/32-13-15 "Genesis 32:13-15 - Jacob's Gift for Esau") and its strategic deployment in [Genesis 32:16](/genesis/32-16 "Genesis 32:16 - Jacob's Strategic Gift Deployment") represent the next crucial step in Jacob's diplomatic overture, a human effort to complement his divine trust.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, gift-giving was a common and powerful diplomatic tool, often employed to establish or restore relationships, demonstrate submission, or avert conflict. Large, valuable gifts were not merely tokens but substantial expressions of intent, designed to impress and pacify. The act of sending gifts in successive waves, as Jacob does, would have amplified their impact, signaling immense wealth and a deep desire for reconciliation. Furthermore, the concept of family honor and the potential for blood feuds were deeply ingrained in the culture. Jacob's past deception of Esau would have been a grave offense, carrying the risk of violent retribution. His actions in this chapter, therefore, reflect a sophisticated understanding of contemporary social customs and a desperate attempt to navigate a highly volatile personal and familial situation through culturally appropriate means of appeasement.

* **Key Themes:** This passage significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **divine providence and human responsibility**, illustrating how Jacob, despite receiving divine assurances and praying fervently, still takes practical, strategic steps to address his predicament. His actions demonstrate a profound understanding that faith does not negate the need for wise human action. Another prominent theme is **reconciliation and forgiveness**, as Jacob actively seeks to mend a broken relationship, even if driven initially by fear. The narrative also explores the **consequences of past actions** and the long shadow they cast, compelling Jacob to confront the repercussions of his earlier deceptions. Finally, the passage subtly introduces the theme of **transformation**, as Jacob, the schemer, begins to mature, learning to trust God while also exercising prudent leadership in a crisis. This entire episode ultimately sets the stage for Jacob's pivotal encounter at Peniel in [Genesis 32:22-32](/genesis/32-22-32 "Genesis 32:22-32 - Jacob Wrestles at Peniel"), where his transformation culminates in a new name and a deeper walk with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Hebrew, _nâthan'_ H5414):** This primitive root means "to give," but is used with immense latitude, encompassing "put, make, bestow, commit, place, set." In this context, it signifies Jacob's act of entrusting or assigning the droves to his servants, highlighting his active delegation and the transfer of responsibility for this crucial diplomatic mission. It implies a deliberate and purposeful handing over of control.
* **drove (Hebrew, _ʻêder'_ H5739):** Derived from a root meaning "to arrange," this noun refers to "an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals); drove, flock, herd." The repetition of this word in the verse ("every drove by themselves... betwixt drove and drove") emphasizes the distinct, organized units of livestock. It underscores the meticulous segmentation of the gift, which was central to Jacob's strategic presentation.
* **space (Hebrew, _revach'_ H7305):** From a root meaning "to be wide" or "to breathe," this word denotes "room," either literally as an interval or figuratively as deliverance. Here, it specifically refers to a physical interval or distance between the droves. This "space" was not accidental but a deliberate creation, designed to control the pacing of the gift's presentation and maximize its psychological impact on Esau.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he delivered [them] into the hand of his servants":** This clause signifies Jacob's active delegation and the initiation of his plan. He entrusted his valuable livestock, intended as a peace offering, to his servants, indicating the scale of the operation and his reliance on their execution of his precise instructions.
* **"every drove by themselves":** This specifies the initial organization of the gift. Each distinct type of animal (goats, camels, cows, donkeys, as detailed in [Genesis 32:14-15](/genesis/32-14-15 "Genesis 32:14-15 - Jacob's Specific Gift Details")) was separated into its own group, ensuring clarity and order in the presentation.
* **"and said unto his servants, Pass over before me":** This command establishes the sequence of events. The servants, leading the droves, were to precede Jacob, acting as his emissaries and preparing the way for his eventual appearance. This placed the gift, rather than Jacob himself, as the first point of contact with Esau.
* **"and put a space betwixt drove and drove":** This is the crucial instruction revealing Jacob's psychological strategy. The deliberate creation of intervals between the successive droves was designed to prolong the impact of the gift, allowing Esau time to process the generosity and magnitude of each offering before the next arrived, thereby gradually softening his disposition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey Jacob's meticulous strategy. **Repetition** of the word "drove" (Hebrew, _ʻêder'_) emphasizes the distinct, segmented nature of the gift, highlighting the intentionality behind its division. The phrase "every drove by themselves" followed by "put a space betwixt drove and drove" creates a sense of **Strategic Pacing** or **Gradual Revelation**, where the full impact of the gift is unveiled over time rather than all at once. This staggered presentation functions as a form of **Psychological Warfare** or **Diplomatic Maneuver**, designed to build anticipation and allow Esau's initial anger to dissipate as he continually receives reminders of Jacob's generosity. The entire scene is also an example of **Foreshadowing**, as Jacob's elaborate human preparations, though seemingly self-sufficient, ultimately set the stage for the divine encounter at Peniel, where God's ultimate reconciliation and blessing will be revealed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's actions in this verse underscore the profound interplay between human prudence and divine sovereignty. While Jacob had prayed earnestly for deliverance and received assurance from God, he did not passively await a miraculous intervention. Instead, he engaged in careful, strategic planning, demonstrating a responsible stewardship of his circumstances. This balance highlights a key biblical principle: faith in God's providence often motivates, rather than negates, wise human action and diligent effort. Jacob's elaborate gift-giving was a proactive attempt at appeasement and reconciliation, a diplomatic maneuver to de-escalate potential conflict and pave the way for peace.

* [Proverbs 21:14](/proverbs/21-14 "Proverbs 21:14 - A Gift Pacifies Anger")
* [Proverbs 18:16](/proverbs/18-16 "Proverbs 18:16 - A Gift Makes Room")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Living Peaceably with All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 32:16 offers invaluable insights into navigating difficult relationships and pursuing reconciliation in our own lives. Jacob's meticulous planning and proactive steps, born out of fear but guided by wisdom, teach us the importance of thoughtful preparation when confronting challenging encounters, especially those marked by past grievances. We are called to emulate Jacob's balance of faith and action: while fervently trusting in God's ultimate control and provision, we are also responsible for taking practical, well-considered steps to foster peace. This might involve humility, generosity, or initiating difficult conversations with a spirit of reconciliation. The "space betwixt drove and drove" can be a metaphor for the patience and strategic timing often required in mending broken relationships, allowing time for emotions to settle and for genuine goodwill to be perceived. This account reminds us that intentional effort, combined with a reliance on God, can lay the groundwork for unexpected and profound reconciliation, as ultimately witnessed in Jacob and Esau's emotional reunion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you balance reliance on God's providence with your own strategic planning and effort in challenging situations?**
* **What "spaces" or deliberate pauses might be necessary in your efforts to reconcile or de-escalate conflict in relationships?**
* **In what ways can a "gift" (whether tangible or intangible, like an apology or an act of service) be used as a proactive step towards reconciliation in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jacob send the droves with "space betwixt drove and drove"?**

Answer: Jacob's instruction to "put a space betwixt drove and drove" was a sophisticated psychological and diplomatic strategy. By creating deliberate intervals between the arrival of each group of animals, he aimed to maximize the impact of his substantial gift on Esau. Each successive drove would serve as a fresh, cumulative reminder of Jacob's generosity and wealth, giving Esau time to process the offering and allowing his potential anger or resentment to gradually subside before the next part of the gift, and ultimately Jacob himself, appeared. This staggered approach, akin to a series of escalating peace offerings, was designed to build anticipation and underscore the sheer magnitude of his desire for reconciliation, preparing Esau's heart for a peaceful encounter rather than confrontation. This aligns with the wisdom found in [Proverbs 21:14](/proverbs/21-14 "Proverbs 21:14 - A Secret Gift Pacifies Anger").

**Does Jacob's strategic planning imply a lack of faith in God's protection?**

Answer: No, Jacob's strategic planning does not imply a lack of faith; rather, it beautifully illustrates a crucial biblical balance between human responsibility and divine reliance. Prior to dispatching the gifts, Jacob had already wrestled with his fears, divided his camp as a pragmatic safety measure ([Genesis 32:7-8](/genesis/32-7-8 "Genesis 32:7-8 - Jacob's Preparations")), and offered a fervent, heartfelt prayer to God for deliverance, appealing to God's covenant promises ([Genesis 32:9-12](/genesis/32-9-12 "Genesis 32:9-12 - Jacob's Prayer")). His actions in [Genesis 32:16](/genesis/32-16 "Genesis 32:16 - Jacob's Strategic Gift Deployment") demonstrate that genuine faith often motivates wise and proactive steps in difficult circumstances, trusting God to work through human efforts, not in spite of them. Jacob's faith was not passive; it was an active faith that compelled him to act prudently while simultaneously depending on God's ultimate intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's elaborate and strategic efforts to appease Esau and secure reconciliation, though born of fear and human ingenuity, powerfully prefigure the ultimate act of appeasement and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ. Jacob sought to pacify his brother's wrath with a series of valuable gifts; Christ, however, is the perfect and sufficient gift, offered by God Himself to reconcile humanity to Himself. While Jacob's gifts were external offerings, temporary and imperfect, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the internal, perfect, and final propitiation for sin, satisfying divine justice and bridging the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation") and [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Our Sins")). He is the ultimate peace offering, transforming enmity into adoption and securing a reconciliation far deeper and more lasting than any human diplomacy could achieve, inviting us into a relationship of grace and covenant love rather than mere appeasement ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World Through Christ")). Just as Jacob's gifts prepared the way for his meeting with Esau, Christ's sacrifice prepares the way for our eternal fellowship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 32:20

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.

Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Proverbs 2:11

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Psalms 112:5

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

Isaiah 28:26

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, [and] doth teach him.

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.

Genesis 33:9

And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.