Genesis 32:13-20 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

He lodged there that same night. The scarcity of water leads traveling companies or caravans to choose their camping ground near a river, fountain, or well (cf. 1 Samuel 30:21).

Took ... a present. Jacob combined active exertions with earnest prayer; and this teaches us that we must not depend upon the aid and interposition of God in such a way as to supersede the exercise of prudence and foresight. Superiors are always approached in the East with presents, and the respect expressed is estimated by the quality and amount of the gift. The present of Jacob consisted of 550 head of cattle, of different kinds, such as would be most prized by Esau. It was a most magnificent present, skillfully arranged and proportioned. The milch camels alone were of immense value; because the she-camels form the principal part of Arab wealth; their milk is a chief article of diet; and in many other respects they are of the greatest use. х `ªyaariym (H5895)], here called "foals" - a donkey's colt (Genesis 49:11), a wild donkey's colt (Job 11:12). But it is frequently also described as used for riding (Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14; Zechariah 9:9), for bearing burdens (Isaiah 30:6), and for plowing (Isaiah 30:24). Hence, Gesenius takes it to denote in this passage young, but full-grown male donkeys.

Verse 16. Every drove by themselves. There was great prudence in this arrangement, because the present would thus have a more imposing appearance; Esau's passion would have time to cool as he passed each successive company; and if the first was refused, the others would hasten back to convey a timely warning.

Verse 17. He commanded the foremost. The messengers were strictly commanded to say the same words, that Esau might be more impressed, and that the uniformity of the address might appear more clearly to have come from Jacob himself.

Verse 20. I will appease him with the present - literally I will cover his face with the present; or, I will turn away his attention by a gift (cf. Genesis 20:16, where the same phrase is used). [The Septuagint renders it correctly, tauta estai soi eis timeen tou prosoopou sou ... timee, being taken in the sense of fine, penalty, compensation.]

Related Commentaries of Genesis 32:13

Genesis 32:13-20

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.d