Genesis 33:2

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 King James Version (NKJV)And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.

Context of Genesis 33:2

1Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 4Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Genesis 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 29:30So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years.
• Genesis 30:22Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.
• Genesis 37:3Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.
• Malachi 3:17“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.

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

• Conscience
• Joseph
• Leah
• Parents
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Leah
• Rachel
• Blessing
• Lead
• Overdrive
• Prayer
• Tender
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism
• 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