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 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

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. 2And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then 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. 5And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom 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 10:4And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
• Genesis 18:2So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
• Genesis 42:6Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.
• Genesis 43:26And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth.
• Proverbs 6:3So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.
• Luke 14:11For whoever 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, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.

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