Bible Commentary

Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. Then the handmaids came near, they and their children,…. Being foremost, and next to, Jacob, as Bilhah and her two sons, Dan and Naphtali, and Zilpah and her two sons, Gad and Asher: and they bowed themselves; in token of respect to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:6”

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who [are] those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. 5. Who are those with thee?Itmight have been enough to say, They are my children; but Jacob was apious man, and he could … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:5”

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. 4. And Esau ] Esau’s conduct on this occasion is that of a good-natured and forgiving disposition. There is no statement of his having intended any mischief to Jacob. His appearance with four hundred men … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:4”

And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 3. before them ] Jacob himself goes in front of his household to protect them. seven times ] Jacob prostrates himself before his brother, in token of complete subservience. Not content with one prostration, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:3”

And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindmost. Verse 2. He put the handmaids and their children foremost] There is something so artificial in this arrangement of Jacob’s family, that it must have had some peculiar design. Was Jacob still apprehensive of danger, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:2”

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 1. And Jacob lifted up his eyes, &c.] For this phrase, cf. Gen 18:2, Gen 24:63, Gen 31:10 (J). four hundred men … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 33:1”

Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank. 32. Therefore the children of Israel ] The Compiler adds this note, which explains the Israelite custom of abstaining … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 32:32”

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 31. And the sun rose ] See Gen 32:24. Penuel ] The name of a town in Jdg 8:8; 1Ki 12:25. The site is doubtful, but was evidently not far from the confluence of the Jabbok and the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 32:31”

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 30. Peniel ] R.V. marg. The face of God. In the Sam. version, Syr., and Lat., it is called “Penuel,” as in Gen 32:32. Popular tradition explained the etymology of the name of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 32:30”

And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 29. And he blessed him ] The name is refused, but the blessing previously asked for ( Gen 32:26) is granted. The same occurrence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 32:29”