Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. New Living Translation He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, English Standard Version instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now. Berean Standard Bible He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. Berean Literal Bible And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you⁺ shall say to my lord, to Esau, thus says your servant Jacob: ‘With Laban I have sojourned and I have delayed until now. King James Bible And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: New King James Version And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. New American Standard Bible He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says the following: “I have resided with Laban, and stayed until now; NASB 1995 He also commanded them saying, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now; NASB 1977 He also commanded them saying, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now; Legacy Standard Bible He also commanded them saying, “Thus you shall say to my lord, to Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have sojourned with Laban and have been delayed until now; Amplified Bible He commanded them, saying, “This is what to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says this, “I have been living temporarily with Laban, and have stayed there until now; Berean Annotated Bible He instructed them, “You⁺ are to say to my master Esau (hairy), ‘Your servant Jacob (he grasps the heel) says: I have been staying with Laban (white) and have remained there until now. Christian Standard Bible He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. Holman Christian Standard Bible He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. American Standard Version And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: Contemporary English Version Jacob told them to say to Esau, "Master, I am your servant! I have lived with Laban all this time, English Revised Version And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau; Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: GOD'S WORD® Translation He commanded them to give this message to Esau, "Sir, this is what Jacob has to say, 'I've been living with Laban and have stayed until now. Good News Translation He instructed them to say: "I, Jacob, your obedient servant, report to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now. International Standard Version He instructed them, "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: 'Your servant Jacob told me to tell you, "I've journeyed to stay with Laban and I've remained there until now. NET Bible He commanded them, "This is what you must say to my lord Esau: 'This is what your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban until now. New Heart English Bible He commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: 'This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now. Webster's Bible Translation And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak to my lord Esau: Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there till now: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. World English Bible He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand commands them, saying, “Thus you say to my lord, to Esau, Thus said your servant Jacob: I have sojourned with Laban, and I linger until now; Berean Literal Bible And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you⁺ shall say to my lord, to Esau, thus says your servant Jacob: ‘With Laban I have sojourned and I have delayed until now. Young's Literal Translation and commandeth them, saying, 'Thus do ye say to my lord, to Esau: Thus said thy servant Jacob, With Laban I have sojourned, and I tarry until now; Smith's Literal Translation And he will command them, saying, Thus shall ye say to my lord to Esau, Thus thy servant Jacob said, With Laban I sojourned and lingered till now. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he commanded them, saying: Thus shall ye speak to my lord Esau: Thus saith thy brother Jacob: I have sojourned with Laban, and have been with him until this day. Catholic Public Domain Version And he instructed them, saying: “You shall speak in this way to my lord Esau: ‘Your brother Jacob says these things: “I have sojourned with Laban, and I have been with him until the present day. New American Bible ordering them: “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob: I have been residing with Laban and have been delayed until now. New Revised Standard Version instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have lived with Laban as an alien, and stayed until now; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you speak to my lord Esau; Thus says your servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he commanded them and said to them, “Thus you will say to my Lord Esau: thus said your Servant Yaquuv: ‘I have dwelt and I stayed with Laban until today OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he commanded them, saying: 'Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob: I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye say to my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob; I have sojourned with Laban and tarried until now. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob's Fear of Esau…3Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. 5I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’ ”… Cross References He instructed them, Genesis 24:2-4 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, / and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. “You are to say to my master Esau, Genesis 33:8 “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. Genesis 33:13-14 But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die. / Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.” Genesis 27:37 But Isaac answered Esau: “Look, I have made him your master and given him all his relatives as servants; I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What is left that I can do for you, my son?” ‘Your servant Jacob says: Genesis 33:5 When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.” Genesis 44:18 Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. I have been staying with Laban Genesis 31:38-40 I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. Genesis 29:14 Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month, Hosea 12:12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep. and have remained there until now. Genesis 31:41 Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! Genesis 30:25-26 Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland. / Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.” Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” Genesis 27:41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Treasury of Scripture And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you speak to my lord Esau; Your servant Jacob said thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: my lord. Genesis 32:5,18 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight… Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. servant. 1 Kings 20:32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. Jump to Previous Commanded Commandeth Esau Foreigner Instructed Instructing Jacob Laban Master Orders Servant Sojourned Speak Speaks Staying Tarried Tarry WordsJump to Next Commanded Commandeth Esau Foreigner Instructed Instructing Jacob Laban Master Orders Servant Sojourned Speak Speaks Staying Tarried Tarry WordsGenesis 32 1. Jacob's vision at Mahanaim.3. His message to Esau. 6. He is afraid of Esau's coming. 9. He prays for deliverance. 13. He sends a present to Esau, and passes the brook Jabbok. 24. He wrestles with an angel at Peniel, where he is called Israel. 31. He halts. He instructed them Jacob sends messengers ahead to Esau, indicating a strategic and cautious approach. This reflects the tension and fear Jacob feels about reuniting with his brother, whom he had wronged years earlier by taking his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). The act of sending messengers is a common practice in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, used to convey messages and intentions before a personal encounter. You are to say to my master Esau ‘Your servant Jacob says I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe central figure in this passage, Jacob is returning to his homeland after years of living with his uncle Laban. He is preparing to meet his brother Esau, whom he had previously wronged. 2. Esau Jacob's elder brother, whom Jacob had deceived out of his birthright and blessing. Jacob refers to Esau as "my lord," indicating a posture of humility and reconciliation. 3. Laban Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, with whom Jacob had lived and worked for many years. Jacob's time with Laban was marked by both blessing and conflict. 4. Servants The messengers Jacob sends to Esau, tasked with delivering Jacob's message of humility and peace. 5. Canaan The land to which Jacob is returning, the Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants. Teaching Points Humility in ReconciliationJacob's use of "my lord" and "your servant" demonstrates humility. In seeking reconciliation, we should approach others with a humble heart. Preparation for Peace Jacob's careful preparation to meet Esau shows the importance of planning and intentionality in resolving conflicts. Trust in God's Promises Despite his fear, Jacob is returning to the land God promised to his forefathers, showing trust in God's faithfulness. Acknowledgment of Past Wrongs Jacob's message to Esau implicitly acknowledges his past wrongs, a crucial step in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. Faith in Action Jacob's actions reflect his faith in God's protection and promises, encouraging us to act on our faith even in challenging situations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 32:4?2. How does Jacob's message to Esau demonstrate humility and reconciliation efforts? 3. What can we learn from Jacob's approach to conflict resolution in Genesis 32:4? 4. How does Jacob's message reflect God's promise to protect him in Genesis? 5. How can we apply Jacob's example of seeking peace with estranged family members? 6. What other biblical instances show humility leading to reconciliation and peace? 7. What is the significance of Jacob's message to Esau in Genesis 32:4? 8. How does Genesis 32:4 reflect Jacob's character and intentions? 9. Why does Jacob refer to Esau as "my lord" in Genesis 32:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 32? 11. How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives? 12. How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men? 13. Hosea 12:3-4: How can Jacob physically wrestle with God if God is portrayed elsewhere as omnipotent and spiritual? 14. Why does Jacob liken seeing Esau's face to seeing God's in Genesis 33:10, and does this conflict with other monotheistic teachings? What Does Genesis 32:4 Mean He instructed themJacob takes deliberate action, sending messengers ahead (Genesis 32:3). • Obedience—he follows the divine directive to return home (Genesis 31:3). • Preparation—much like Abraham’s servant was sent ahead to secure Isaac’s bride (Genesis 24:2–4), Jacob wisely plans for what lies ahead. • Reliance—though praying (Genesis 32:9–12), he also acts, echoing Nehemiah’s blend of prayer and planning (Nehemiah 2:4–8). You are to say to my master Esau • Respect—Jacob calls Esau “my master,” mirroring the courtesy Ruth shows Boaz (Ruth 2:13). • Reversal—Isaac’s blessing had promised, “Be lord over your brothers” (Genesis 27:29), yet Jacob now submits. • Reconciliation mindset—Proverbs 15:1 reminds us a gentle answer turns away wrath; Jacob chooses gentle words. Your servant Jacob says • Humility—Jacob, once grasping for supremacy (Genesis 25:26), now calls himself “servant,” as David later would before Saul (1 Samuel 24:14). • Changed heart—after the Bethel encounter (Genesis 28:12–15) and years of refining, Jacob’s posture shifts from grabbing to giving. • Foreshadowing—the Lord Jesus exemplifies ultimate servanthood (Mark 10:45); Jacob’s stance previews that virtue. I have been staying with Laban • Honesty—Jacob discloses his whereabouts, acknowledging the past (Genesis 29–31). • God’s providence—like Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 50:20), Jacob’s time with Laban served divine purposes: growth, family, wealth (Genesis 30:43). • Shared history—Esau would know Laban as their mother’s brother (Genesis 28:2); this fact personalizes the report. and have remained there until now • Timing—twenty years have elapsed (Genesis 31:38, 41); God’s schedule often unfolds slowly (2 Peter 3:8–9). • Readiness—only when the Lord said, “Return” (Genesis 31:3), did Jacob move. Like the Israelites leaving Sinai at God’s signal (Numbers 9:17–23), he waited for divine clearance. • Expectation—the phrase hints that the long separation is ending, setting the stage for God to heal a broken relationship (Genesis 33:4). summary Genesis 32:4 showcases Jacob’s transformed heart: respectful words, humble posture, honest disclosure, and obedient timing. He addresses Esau as “master,” calls himself “servant,” and openly recounts his years with Laban, signaling repentance and seeking peace. The verse models how faith trusts God’s promises while taking practical, humble steps toward reconciliation. Verses 4, 5. - And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus; - the expression "my lord "may have been designed to intimate to Esau that he (Jacob) did not intend to assert that superiority or precedency which had been assigned him by Isaac s blessing (Genesis 27:29), at least so far as to claim a share in Isaac's wealth (Calvin, Bush, Gerlach), but was probably due chiefly to the extreme courtesy of the East (Gerlach), or to a desire to conciliate his brother (Keil), or to a feeling of personal contrition for his misbehavior towards Esau (Kalisch), and perhaps also to a secret apprehension of danger from Esau's approach (Alford, Inglis) - I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed - אֵחַרe fut. Kal. of אָחַרcurring only here, is a contraction for אֶךאחַר, like תֹּסֵק for תֹּאסֵק (Psalm 104:29; vide Gesenius, § 68, 2) - there until now: and I have (literally, there are to me, so that I stand in need of no further wealth from either thee or Isaac) oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and women servants: - cf. 12:16 (Abraham); 26:13, 14 (Isaac) - and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight (cf. 33:8, 15; 39:4; and vide 6:8; 18:3).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He instructed them,וַיְצַ֤ו (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order “You are to say לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say to my master לַֽאדֹנִ֖י (la·ḏō·nî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller Esau, לְעֵשָׂ֑ו (lə·‘ê·śāw) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac ‘Your servant עַבְדְּךָ֣ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant Jacob יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc says: תֹאמְר֔וּן (ṯō·mə·rūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 559: To utter, say I have been staying גַּ֔רְתִּי (gar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Laban לָבָ֣ן (lā·ḇān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob and have remained there וָאֵחַ֖ר (wā·’ê·ḥar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 309: To loiter, to procrastinate until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while now. עָֽתָּה׃ (‘āt·tāh) Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time Links Genesis 32:4 NIVGenesis 32:4 NLT Genesis 32:4 ESV Genesis 32:4 NASB Genesis 32:4 KJV Genesis 32:4 BibleApps.com Genesis 32:4 Biblia Paralela Genesis 32:4 Chinese Bible Genesis 32:4 French Bible Genesis 32:4 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 32:4 He commanded them saying This is what (Gen. 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