English Standard Version
Genesis 33:3
3He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him.
Context of Genesis 33:3
1And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. 2And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, "Who are these with you?" Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
Read all of Genesis 33Genesis 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 out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
- Genesis 18:2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth
- Genesis 42:6Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
- Genesis 43:26When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground.
- Proverbs 6:3then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
- Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- 1 Samuel 2:5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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Commentaries