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

1Jacob saw Esau coming with 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two slaves. 2He put the slaves and their children in front, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last. He went on ahead of them and bowed seven times with his face touching the ground as he came near his brother. 4Then Esau ran to meet Jacob. Esau hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They both cried. 5When he saw the women and children, Esau asked, “Who are these people here with you?” “The children God has graciously given me, sir,” Jacob answered.

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 10:4After he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
• Genesis 18:2Abraham looked up, and suddenly he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them, and he bowed with his face touching the ground.
• Genesis 42:6As governor of the country, Joseph was selling grain to everyone. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed in front of him with their faces touching the ground.
• Genesis 43:26When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought to the house. Then they bowed to him with their faces touching the ground.
• Proverbs 6:3Do the following things, my son, so that you may free yourself, because you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Humble yourself, and pester your neighbor.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If a ruler becomes angry with you, don’t resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses.
• Luke 14:11Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who humble themselves will be honored.”
• 1 Samuel 2:5Those who were well-fed hire themselves out for a piece of bread, but those who were hungry hunger no more. Even the woman who was childless gives birth to seven children, but the mother of many children grieves all alone.

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