New King James Version
Genesis 33:2
2And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.
Genesis 33:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
- New International Version (NIV)He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all.
- New Living Translation (NLT)He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.
Context of Genesis 33:2
1Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3Then he crossed over before them and bowed 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.
Read all of Genesis 33Genesis 33:2 word by word
וַיָּ֧שֶׂם אֶת־הַשְּׁפָח֛וֹת וְאֶת־יַלְדֵיהֶ֖ן רִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְאֶת־לֵאָ֤ה וִֽילָדֶ֙יהָ֙ אַחֲרֹנִ֔ים וְאֶת־רָחֵ֥ל וְאֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף אַחֲרֹנִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he putשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: putH7760
- the handmaidsשִׁפְחָהshiphchâh · maidservantH8198
- and their childrenיֶ֫לֶדyeled · youthH3206
- foremostרִאשׁוֹןri'shôn ri'shôn · firstH7223
- and Leahלֵאָהlê'âh · LeahH3812
- afterאַחֲרוֹן'achăryôn 'achărôn · lastH314
- and Rachelרָחֵלrâchêl · RachelH7354
- and Josephיוֹסֵףyôsêph · JosephH3130
Cross-references for Genesis 33:2
- Genesis 29:30Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
- Genesis 30:22Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
- Genesis 37:3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.
- Malachi 3:17“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Commentaries on Genesis 33:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2He put the handmaids and their children foremost - There is something so artificial in this arrangement of Jacob's family, that it must have had some peculiar design. Was Jacob still apprehensive of danger, and put those foremost whom he least esteemed, that if the foremost met with any evil, those who were behind might escape on their swift beasts? Genesis 32:7, Genesis 32:8. Or did he intend to keep his choicest treasure to the last, and exhibit his…Read the comment
- 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. 1-2God had changed Jacob's identity (32:27–28), but he had not yet learned to live in line with his new name. He still showed favoritism (treating some family members better than others), which can divide families. He arranged his family and possessions according to their importance to him. He placed the servant wives and their children in front, where they would face danger first. Leah and her children were behind them. Rachel and Joseph were at the back…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-111. behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men--Jacob having crossed the ford and ranged his wives and children in order--the dearest last, that they might be the least exposed to danger--awaited the expected interview. His faith was strengthened and his fears gone (Psa 27:3). Having had power to prevail with God, he was confident of the same power with man, according to the promise (compare Ge 32:28).Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 33:2
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries