Genesis 33:3

Genesis 33:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
• New International Version (NIV)He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Context of Genesis 33:3

1Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. 2He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. 5When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 33:3 word by word

וְה֖וּא עָבַ֣ר לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֤חוּ אַ֙רְצָה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֔ים עַד־גִּשְׁתּ֖וֹ עַד־אָחִֽיו׃Read the interlinear

• But Jacob himselfהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931
• went onעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
• aheadפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• and bowedשָׁחָהshâchâh · to bowH7812
• to the groundאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
• sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• timesפַּ֫עַםpa‛am pa‛ămâh · beatH6471
• asעַד‛ad · tillH5704
• he approachedנָגַשׁnâgash · to approach: approachH5066
• his brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Genesis 33:3

• John 10:4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
• Genesis 18:2And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
• Genesis 42:6Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
• Genesis 43:26When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him.
• Proverbs 6:3then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
• Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
• 1 Samuel 2:5The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.

Commentaries on Genesis 33:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-20Verses 1-20 - Jacob and Esau Meet 17. סכת sûkkôth Sukkoth, “booths,” consisting of poles forming a roof covered with branches, leaves, or grass. 19. חמור chămôr Chamor, “ass, red, heap.” קשׂיטה qeśı̂yṭâh Qesitah, weighed or measured. ̓̀ Amnos Septuagint and Onkelos Jacob has a friendly interview with Esau, and re-+enters Kenaan. Genesis 33:1-3 Jacob, upon seeing Esau approach with his four hundred men, advances with circumspection and lowly…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-13Jacob was scared even though he had no reason to be. He tried to calm his brother by acting like a servant to a king: he bowed (33:3), used respectful titles (33:8, 13), introduced people (33:6–7), and gave gifts (33:8).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. he bowed himself ... seven times--The manner of doing this is by looking towards a superior and bowing with the upper part of the body brought parallel to the ground, then advancing a few steps and bowing again, and repeating his obeisance till, at the seventh time, the suppliant stands in the immediate presence of his superior. The members of his family did the same. This was a token of profound respect, and, though very marked, it would appear…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 33:3

• Conscience
• Leah
• Prayer
• Salutations

In the dictionaries

• Blessing
• Bowing
• Lead
• Overdrive
• Prayer
• Tender
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism
• Attitudes
• Genealogy
• Genesis

Commentaries on Genesis 33

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings