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 slave women. 2He put the slaves and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. 5When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” He answered, “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

Words taken from the KJV.

• And he passed overעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
• before themפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• and bowed himselfשָׁחָהshâchâh · to bowH7812
• to the groundאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
• sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• timesפַּ֫עַםpa‛am pa‛ămâh · beatH6471
• until he came nearנָגַשׁnâgash · to approach: approachH5066
• to his brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Genesis 33:3

• John 10:4When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.
• Genesis 18:2He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, bowed to the ground,
• Genesis 42:6Joseph was in charge of the country; he sold grain to all its people. His brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
• Genesis 43:26When Joseph came home, they brought him the gift they had carried into the house, and they bowed to the ground before him.
• Proverbs 6:3Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts 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 2:5Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but those who are starving hunger no more. The woman who is childless gives birth to seven, but the woman with 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