“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours.”
- KJV And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.
- NKJV But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
- NASB But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.”
- NLT “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”
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
Esau, already prosperous, urges Jacob to keep his own possessions. His refusal shows genuine contentment and goodwill.
Overview
Esau declines the gift, saying he has enough and that Jacob should keep his wealth. His response reveals a softened heart with no desire to take from his brother. Esau's contentment and generosity confirm that God has truly reconciled the two.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Gen 27:39His father Isaac answered him: “Behold, your dwelling place shall be away from the richness of the land, away from the dew of heaven above.
- Phlm 1:7I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
- Acts 21:20When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
- Acts 9:17So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
- Phlm 1:16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
- Eccl 4:8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
- Gen 27:41Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
- Judg 20:23They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”
- Gen 4:9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
- Prov 30:15The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
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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 33:9 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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