Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau:
Parallel translations
- WEB He stayed there that night, and took from that which he had with him, a present for Esau, his brother:
- KJV And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
- BSB Jacob spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau:
- NKJV So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:
- NASB So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him a gift for his brother Esau:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jacob spends the night and prepares a generous gift for Esau from his herds. He combines prayer with practical efforts toward reconciliation.
Overview
Having prayed, Jacob now acts, selecting a lavish present to soften Esau's heart. His pairing of prayer and prudent action shows faith working through diligence. The gift reflects Jacob's earnest desire to make peace with the brother he had wronged.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 18:16A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
- Gen 43:11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
- Gen 43:26When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to him to the earth.
- Prov 19:6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
- Prov 17:8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
- Prov 21:14A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
- Gen 42:6Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.
- Gen 32:20–21You shall say, ‘Not only that, but behold, your servant, Jacob, is behind us.’” For, he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”
- Gen 18:2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood opposite him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,
- Gen 33:10Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
- 1 Sam 25:8Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’”
- 1 Sam 25:27Now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 32:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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