And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
13 21. Jacob’s Present to Esau
13. a present ] Heb. minah. Cf. Gen 43:11; Gen 43:15. See note on Gen 4:3. Jacob hopes that a substantial present will turn away the resentment of his brother. Pro 18:16, “a man’s gift maketh room for him”; Gen 21:14, “a gift in secret pacifieth anger”; cf. Abigail’s present to David, 1Sa 25:18; 1Sa 25:27.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gen 32:13-20
A present for Esau.
Jacobs offering to Esau
1. Prudent disposition of presents must follow the preparation of them.
2. Good servants are fit helps unto good masters for ordering their affairs.
3. Order is as needful as matter unto prudence to pacifiy enraged enemies.
4. Wise masters must give instructions to servants for the prosperity of their own affairs.
5. Lawful instructions from masters must be strictly observed by servants.
6. Humble presentations of saints to lords of the world is comely to procure peace.
7. Frequent and gradual expressions of such goodness and humility is most likely to overcome them.
8. Faces of cruel men are hard to be reconciled unto the faces of the righteous.
9. By foregoing gifts and preventing grace from God, saints may gel a good look from such men.
10. Jacob and Jacobs children are forced so to seek peace in the world. (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. And took of that which came to his hand] habba beyado, which came under his hand, i.e., what, in the course of God’s providence, came under his power.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either that which was in his hand and power; or rather, that which was nearest at hand, and most ready for him, because the approaching night, and his own great fear, gave him not leave to make so scrupulous a choice as otherwise he would have made.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13-23. took . . . a present forEsauJacob combined active exertions with earnest prayer; andthis teaches us that we must not depend upon the aid andinterposition of God in such a way as to supersede the exercise ofprudence and foresight. Superiors are always approached withpresents, and the respect expressed is estimated by the quality andamount of the gift. The present of Jacob consisted of five hundredfifty head of cattle, of different kinds, such as would be mostprized by Esau. It was a most magnificent present, skilfully arrangedand proportioned. The milch camels alone were of immense value; forthe she camels form the principal part of Arab wealth; their milk isa chief article of diet; and in many other respects they are of thegreatest use.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he lodged there that same night,…. At Mahanaim, or some place near it:
and took of that which came to his hand; not what came next to hand, for what he did was with great deliberation, judgment, and prudence; wherefore the phrase signifies what he was possessed of, or was in his power, as Jarchi rightly interprets it:
a present for Esau his brother: in order to pacify him, gain his good will, and avert his wrath and displeasure, see Pr 18:16; though Jacob had prayed to God, committed himself and family to him, and left all with him, yet he thought it proper to make use of all prudential means and methods for his safety: God frequently works in and by means made use of: the account of the present follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Jacob’s Present to Esau. | B. C. 1739. |
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 hand 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, v. 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 expense, they expose themselves to great 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 (Prov. xvii. 8), and makes room for a man (Prov. xviii. 16); nay, it pacifies anger and strong wrath, Prov. xxi. 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 (v. 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.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 13-23:
The next morning, Jacob carefully selected a “present,” minchah (Ge 4:3-5), literally a “sacrifice or offering” to give to his brother Esau. He selected 200 female goats and 20 males, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 camel cows with their calves, 40 cows and 10 bulls, and 20 jennets with their colts. Then he divided them into. separate droves, and sent them ahead to meet Esau, each drove separated by some distance from the other. He gave precise instructions to the herdsmen what to say when they met Esau. All was calculated to appease any animosity Esau may have felt toward his brother. The servants were to make it clear that this considerable display of wealth was intended as a present from Jacob to Esau. Jacob then tarried by the brook Jabbok for yet another night.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13. And took of that which came to his hand. In endeavoring to appease his brother by presents, he does not act distrustfully, as if he doubted whether he should be safe under the protection of God. This, indeed, is a fault too common among men, that when they have prayed to God, they turn themselves hither and thither, and contrive vain subterfuges for themselves: whereas the principal advantage of prayer is, to wait for the Lord in silence and quietness. But the design of the holy man was not to busy and to vex himself, as one discontented with the sole help of God. For although he was certainly persuaded that to have God propitious to him would alone be sufficient, yet he did not omit the use of the means which were in his power, while leaving success in the hand of God. For though by prayer we cast our cares upon God, that we may have peaceful and tranquil minds; yet this security ought not to render us indolent. For the Lord will have all the aids which he affords us applied to use. But the diligence of the pious differs greatly from the restless activity of the world; because the world, relying on its own industry, independently of the blessing of God, does not consider what is right or lawful; moreover it is always in trepidation, and by its bustling, increases more and more its own disquietude. The pious, however, hoping for the success of their labor, only from the mercy of God, apply their minds in seeking out means, for this sole reason, that they may not bury the gifts of God by their own torpor. When they have discharged their duty, they still depend on the same grace of God; and when nothing remains which they can attempt, they nevertheless are at rest.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) He lodged there.That is, at Mahanaim. On the first news of Esaus approach in so hostile a manner, Jacob had divided his possessions into two main divisions, in the hope of saving at least one. He now, quieted by his prayer, makes more exact arrangements, selects a present for Esau of five hundred and fifty head of cattle, sends them forward with intervals between, that repeated impressions might soften his brothers fierce mood, sees all his followers safely across the Jabbok, and remains alone behind to pray. As he thus placed everything in Esaus power, faith seems to have regained the ascendancy over his fears, though he still takes every prudent measure for the safety of those whom he loved.
Of that which came to his hand.Heb., of that which came in his hand. Some Jewish interpreters take the phrase literally, and suppose that it was precious stones; more truly it means what he possessed, or what he had with him. The phrase which came to his hand would imply that he made no selection, but took what came first in his way.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Of that which came to his hand The present was a large and princely one, probably a very large proportion of all that he possessed . He would fain give all to be reconciled to his warlike brother, and will spare no pains or sacrifice on his part that his prayer may be answered . The skilful arrangement of this present, which was to go over before him, is thus noticed by Lange: “Observe: 1) The climax; goats, sheep, camels, cattle, asses . 2) The spaces (breathing places) between the droves . Each impression must be made, and its force felt by Esau, before the next comes on. 3) The ever-repeated form of homage; thy servant Jacob; a present; my lord Esau. 4) The final aim: friendly treatment; thy servant, Jacob himself, is behind us.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he stayed there that night and took from what he had with him a present for Esau his brother. Two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats, two hundred yews and twenty rams, thirty milch camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty she-asses (or donkeys) and ten foals.’
The giving of a gift to honour someone important was a regular custom of the time (compare 43:11) and its acceptance would indicate a willingness to treat peacefully.
The present was munificent. Again the numbers are round numbers indicating approximate quantity, although he may have numbered them exactly. But exact counting was not a feature of the times except among learned men and men of business and is therefore unlikely. It is noteworthy that of the camels and donkeys he does not provide males (except possibly as colts and foals). This may indicate that he had few of them, and those for breeding. This is evidence of the accuracy and genuineness of the narrative.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Presents to Esau
v. 13. And he lodged there that same night, v. 14. two hundred she-goats, and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, v. 15. thirty milch camels with their colts, forty-nine, and ten bulls, twenty she-asses, and ten foals. v. 16. And he delivered them in to 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. v. 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? v. 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. v. 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.
v. 20. And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. v. 21. So went the present over before him; and himself lodged that night in the company. v. 22. And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. v. 23. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Gen 32:13. Which came to his hand Not any thing which offered itself by chance, as this phrase seems to import: for it is very evident, that the present was selected with great care, and was of the choicest kind: milch-camels in particular were a very exquisite present, as their milk was held in the greatest estimation: see Bochart Hieroz. p. 1. But the phrase means, which was in his power, which he had to present him with, see 1Sa 25:8. This whole transaction and disposition of the present shews the prudence and sagacity of Jacob.
REFLECTIONS.Jacob having poured out his soul to God in prayer, in dependance on his care, takes the most likely methods to appease his brother’s resentment.
1. By a considerable present, so divided into several droves, as both to set them off, and to serve, from their repeated reproach, to stay Esau for inquiry: thus giving him time to think, and such matter to muse upon, as might allay the fury of his anger. Note; (1.) We cannot buy peace too dear, if we sell not our conscience. (2.) It is wisdom to present a part, if that can preserve the whole. Some through covetousness to spare a shilling, often lose a pound.
2. By a submissive message. Esau must be called my lord, and Jacob his servant. Alas! it tickles vain minds to have their titles repeated to them. Every servant pays his respects in Jacob’s name, and adds, that Jacob himself was behind. Note; Apparent confidence in a man’s goodness lays him under a kind of obligation to shew it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 21:14 .
Jabbok, the boundary of the coast of the Ammonites. Jos 12:2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 32:13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
Ver. 13. And took of that which came to his hand, &c. ] Or, that was in his power. Such as he had, he sent. Silver and gold he had none; cattle he had, and of these he made no spare: for he knew that “a gift” (such a rich gift, especially) “maketh room for a man, and bringeth him before great ones”. Pro 18:16 And here Jacob, for our instruction, takes a right course, observes a right method; which is, to pray, and use means; to use means, and pray. Ora et labora, was the Emperor’s symbol; and, Admota manu invocanda est Minerva, the heathen’s proverb. “Why criest thou unto me?” saith God to Moses; Exo 14:15 “speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” There was a fault: Moses craved help, but was not forward in the course whereby to make way for God’s help. So, “get thee up,” saith God to praying Joshua; “wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?” Israel hath sinned, and thou must go search, &c. Jos 7:10-11 So, he that would have knowledge, must not only beg for it, but “dig for it,” saith Solomon, out of his own experience. Pro 2:3-5
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 32:13-21
13So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him a present for his brother Esau: 14two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15thirty milking camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass on before me, and put a space between droves.” 17He commanded the one in front, saying, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong?’ 18then you shall say, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a present sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.'” 19Then he commanded also the second and the third, and all those who followed the droves, saying, “After this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; 20and you shall say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob also is behind us.'” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me. Then afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” 21So the present passed on before him, while he himself spent that night in the camp.
Gen 32:20
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV, REB,
PESHITTA”I will appease him”
TEV “I will win him over”
NJB “I conciliate him”
JPSOA, LXX “I propitiate him”
The VERB (BDB 497, KB 493, Piel COHORTATIVE) is the VERB used for a blood cleansing sacrifice (cf. Leviticus 4, 16). Its basic meaning is “to cover” or “make atonement.”
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV, LXX”accept me”
TEVforgive me”
NJBbe inclined towards me”
JPSOA”show me favor”
REB”receive me kindly”
The VERB (BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT) means “to lift.” This is a Hebrew idiom “to lift the face” (cf. Job 42:8-9; Psa 82:2; Pro 18:5; Lam 4:16). In a legal setting it referred to a judge lifting the face of the accused, which jeopardized his impartiality.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
present. See App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jacob Wrestles and Prevails
Gen 32:13-32
There is a fulsomeness in Jacobs address to Esau, which sounds inconsistent with the noblest manhood and the firmest faith. Why should he speak of my lord Esau, and endeavor to appease his wrath with soft speeches and rich gifts? Evidently much had to be effected in his character before he could become one of the great spiritual forces of the world, and his supreme discipline came in that midnight wrestle. The Angel who wrestled with him could have been none other than the Son of man, who is also the Angel of the Covenant and Son of God. It was not that Jacob wrestled with the Angel, but that the Angel wrestled with him, as though to discover and reveal his weakness, and to constrain him to quit reliance on his own strength and to learn to cling with the tenacious grip of a lame man, who dare not let go, lest he fall to the earth. Ah, it is well to be even maimed, if through the withered thigh we may learn to lay hold on the everlasting strength of God, and learn His secret Name!
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
which: 1Sa 25:8
to his hand: Or, “under his hand” or power; i.e., what Providence had put in his power or possession.
a present: Gen 32:20, Gen 32:21, Gen 18:2, Gen 33:10, Gen 42:6, Gen 43:11, Gen 43:26, 1Sa 25:27, Pro 17:8, Pro 18:16, Pro 19:6, Pro 21:14
Reciprocal: Gen 12:16 – he had Gen 33:8 – What meanest thou by all this drove Gen 33:11 – my blessing 1Sa 25:18 – took two Neh 4:13 – Therefore Mat 5:25 – with
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 32:13-16. A present for Esau his brother As he prays and trusts in God, so he uses the means; and having piously made God his friend by prayer, prudently endeavours to make Esau his friend by a present. Put a space between drove and drove To mitigate his displeasure by degrees.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
32:13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a {f} present for Esau his brother;
(f) Not distrusting God’s assistance, but using such means as God had given him.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Though he hoped for God’s help, Jacob did not fail to do all he could to appease his brother (Gen 32:13-15). He offered his magnanimous gifts diplomatically to pacify his offended brother.
"As the narrative unfolds, however, it was not Jacob’s plan that succeeded but his prayer. When he met with Esau, he found that Esau had had a change of heart. Running to meet Jacob, Esau embraced and kissed him and wept (Gen 33:4). All of Jacob’s plans and schemes had come to naught. In spite of them all, God had prepared Jacob’s way." [Note: Sailhamer, "Genesis," p. 209.]
Jacob’s ability to give Esau 580 animals proves that God had made him enormously wealthy.
"Jacob’s behavioral response was classically narcissistic." [Note: Shepperson, p. 183.]
In view of God’s promises believers can pray with confidence for His deliverance and do not need to give away His provisions to appease their enemies.