Genesis 32:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then thou shalt say {H559}, They be thy servant {H5650} Jacob's {H3290}; it is a present {H4503} sent {H7971} unto my lord {H113} Esau {H6215}: and, behold, also he is behind us {H310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Ya'akov, and they are a present he has sent to my lord 'Esav; and Ya'akov himself is just behind us.'"

Berean Standard Bible

then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”

American Standard Version

then thou shalt say, They are thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, he also is behind us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 32:18 details Jacob's precise instructions to his servants regarding the gifts he sent ahead to appease his estranged brother, Esau. This verse is a crucial part of Jacob's elaborate strategy to humble himself and mitigate potential conflict, demonstrating his fear, strategic wisdom, and desire for reconciliation before their imminent reunion.

### CONTEXT
After two decades in Haran, Jacob is returning to Canaan, the land of his birthright. Upon hearing that Esau is approaching with 400 men, Jacob is overwhelmed with immense fear and distress ([Genesis 32:7](/genesis/32-7 "Jacob's fear of Esau")). In response, he divides his company into two camps, prays fervently to God for deliverance ([Genesis 32:11](/genesis/32-11 "Jacob's prayer for deliverance")), and then devises a meticulous plan involving multiple droves of animals sent ahead as a series of gifts. Verse 18 is part of the specific, repeated instructions Jacob gives to the servants leading these groups, emphasizing the message they are to convey to Esau to soften his heart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 32:18 captures the precise message Jacob instructed his servants to deliver to Esau, revealing his calculated humility and strategic appeasement: "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."

* **"Then thou shalt say, [They be] thy servant Jacob's"**: This phrase immediately establishes Jacob's ownership of the gifts and, more significantly, his self-identification as "thy servant Jacob's." The Hebrew word for "servant" is *eved* (עֶבֶד), which denotes a subordinate or bondservant. This is a profound act of humility, a stark reversal of the power dynamic from their previous encounter where Jacob had deceitfully gained the birthright and blessing. By presenting himself as a servant, Jacob seeks to disarm Esau's potential anger and acknowledge Esau's superior status.
* **"it [is] a present sent unto my lord Esau"**: The term "present" is the Hebrew *minchah* (מִנְחָה), which can refer to a gift, tribute, or even a grain offering. In this context, it clearly signifies a conciliatory gift intended to appease and pacify. Jacob's instruction to refer to Esau as "my lord Esau" (using the Hebrew *adon*, אָדוֹן) further underscores his submission and respect. This deliberate linguistic choice aims to restore honor to Esau and demonstrate Jacob's repentance for past wrongs, hoping to avert any violent retribution.
* **"and, behold, also he [is] behind us"**: This final clause is a masterstroke of psychological strategy. By revealing that Jacob himself is following behind the droves of gifts, the message builds anticipation and subtly pressures Esau. The staggered delivery of gifts, each with this message, would progressively soften Esau's disposition, allowing the cumulative effect of the presents and the humble message to prepare him for Jacob's personal appearance. This strategic timing indicates Jacob's reliance on human wisdom alongside his prayers, a blend of faith and practical action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Prudence**: Jacob's actions illustrate the biblical principle that faith in God's promises ([Genesis 32:9-12](/genesis/32-9-12 "Jacob's prayer recalling God's promises")) does not negate the need for human wisdom and proactive planning. Jacob prays fervently, but also devises a meticulous strategy, demonstrating a responsible stewardship of his circumstances.
* **Reconciliation and Peacemaking**: The verse highlights the profound effort required for reconciliation, especially in deeply fractured relationships. Jacob's willingness to humble himself and offer substantial reparations serves as a model for initiating peace, even when driven by fear.
* **The Power of Humility**: Jacob's self-abasement, referring to himself as "servant" and Esau as "lord," is a powerful demonstration of humility. This act of submission is often a crucial step in overcoming past grievances and fostering forgiveness, as it acknowledges wrongdoing and seeks to restore honor to the offended party.
* **The Efficacy of a Gift**: Jacob's strategy aligns with ancient Near Eastern diplomatic practices and echoes biblical wisdom concerning the power of a gift to pacify anger ([Proverbs 21:14](/proverbs/21-14 "Proverbs on the power of a gift to appease anger")). While not a bribe, it is an offering designed to open the way for peaceful interaction.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 32:18 offers timeless insights into navigating strained relationships and potential conflict. Jacob's actions, though born of fear, demonstrate principles of proactive peacemaking: taking initiative to mend relationships, even when it requires profound humility and sacrifice. His detailed plan also underscores the importance of strategic wisdom, encouraging believers to employ thoughtful, prayerful strategies to navigate difficult situations rather than relying solely on emotion or passive waiting. Ultimately, Jacob's human efforts were met with divine grace, as Esau's reaction was one of unexpected warmth and forgiveness ([Genesis 33:4](/genesis/33-4 "Esau's unexpected embrace of Jacob")), demonstrating God's sovereign hand in orchestrating reconciliation beyond human expectation.

### FAQ
**Was Jacob trusting God or relying on his own strategy?**

Answer: Jacob's actions reflect a blend of faith and human prudence. He first prayed fervently to God, reminding God of His promises and seeking deliverance ([Genesis 32:9-12](/genesis/32-9-12 "Jacob's prayer for protection")). Only after this prayer did he devise his elaborate plan. This suggests that Jacob was not relying *solely* on his own strategy, but was acting responsibly and wisely in light of his circumstances, trusting that God would work through his efforts. It illustrates that faith often involves active obedience and wise planning, not passive waiting.

**Why did Jacob refer to himself as "servant" and Esau as "lord"?**

Answer: Jacob's choice of words was a deliberate act of profound humility and a strategic attempt to appease Esau. By calling himself "servant" (*eved*) and Esau "lord" (*adon*), Jacob reversed the traditional roles and acknowledged Esau's superior status. This was a powerful gesture of submission and repentance, especially given Jacob's past deception in taking Esau's birthright and blessing. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such language was crucial for demonstrating respect and seeking favor, aiming to disarm Esau's potential anger and pave the way for reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's elaborate strategy of sending gifts and humbling himself to reconcile with Esau foreshadows the ultimate reconciliation achieved through Christ. Jacob's "present" (*minchah*) was an imperfect, temporary offering designed to appease a human brother; Christ, however, is the perfect and eternal "present" given by God Himself—His own Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's gift of His Son")). Whereas Jacob sought to avert wrath and restore a fractured family bond, Christ's sacrifice on the cross fully appeases divine wrath and reconciles sinful humanity to a holy God, transforming enemies into adopted children ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Reconciliation through Christ's death")). Jacob's efforts were born of fear and human wisdom, but Christ's work is the ultimate act of divine love and power, securing eternal peace and true brotherhood for all who believe.

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.