Genesis 33:10
New International Version
“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.

New Living Translation
But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!

English Standard Version
Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.

Berean Standard Bible
But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.

King James Bible
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

New King James Version
And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

New American Standard Bible
Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then accept my gift from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

NASB 1995
Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

NASB 1977
And Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

Amplified Bible
Jacob replied, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then accept my gift [as a blessing] from my hand, for I see your face as if I had seen the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

Christian Standard Bible
But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from me. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me.

American Standard Version
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found favor in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; forasmuch as I have seen thy face, as one seeth the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Contemporary English Version
"No!" Jacob said. "Please accept them as a sign of your friendship for me. When you welcomed me and I saw your face, it was like seeing the face of God.

English Revised Version
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: forasmuch as I have seen thy face, as one seeth the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jacob said, "No, please take the gift I'm giving you, because I've seen your face as if I were seeing the face of God, and yet you welcomed me so warmly.

Good News Translation
Jacob said, "No, please, if I have gained your favor, accept my gift. To see your face is for me like seeing the face of God, now that you have been so friendly to me.

International Standard Version
"Please," Jacob implored him, "don't refuse. If I'm to receive favor from you, then receive this gift from me, because seeing your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have favorably accepted me.

Majority Standard Bible
But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.

NET Bible
"No, please take them," Jacob said. "If I have found favor in your sight, accept my gift from my hand. Now that I have seen your face and you have accepted me, it is as if I have seen the face of God.

New Heart English Bible
Jacob said, "No, please, if I have now found favor in our sight, then accept my present from my hand, because I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, since you have accepted me.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou hast been pleased with me.

World English Bible
Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob says, “No, please, now if I have found grace in your eyes, then you have received my present from my hand, because that I have seen your face, as the seeing of the face of God, and you are pleased with me;

Young's Literal Translation
And Jacob saith, 'Nay, I pray thee, if, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, then thou hast received my present from my hand, because that I have seen thy face, as the seeing of the face of God, and thou art pleased with me;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob will say, Nay, now, if now I found grace in thine eyes, and take my gift from my hand, for, for this, I saw thy face as seeing the face of God, and thou wilt be satisfied with me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jacob said: Do not so I beseech thee, but if I have found favor in thy eyes, receive a little present at my hands: for I have seen thy face, as if I should have seen the countenance of God: be gracious to me,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jacob said: “I beg you, let it not be so. But if I have found favor in your eyes, receive a small present from my hands. For I have looked upon your face as I would look upon the countenance of God. Be gracious to me,

New American Bible
“No, I beg you!” said Jacob. “If you will do me the favor, accept this gift from me, since to see your face is for me like seeing the face of God—and you have received me so kindly.

New Revised Standard Version
Jacob said, “No, please; if I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Jacob said to him, If now I have found mercy in your sight, then receive my present from my hands; because now I have seen your face, as I saw the face of an angel, and you were pleased with me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yaquuv said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, take my offering from my hands, because now I see your face as the appearance of the face of an Angel, and you are pleased with me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jacob said: 'Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found favour in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; forasmuch as I have seen thy face, as one seeth the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob said, If I have found grace in thy sight, receive the gifts through my hands; therefore have I seen thy face, as if any one should see the face of God, and thou shalt be well-pleased with me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Meets Esau
9“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.” 10But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. 11Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.…

Cross References
Genesis 32:20
You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”

Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

1 Samuel 25:23-24
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. / She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

1 Samuel 25:32-35
Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. / Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” ...

2 Samuel 14:17
And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

2 Samuel 19:27-30
and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes. / For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?” / The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.” ...

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Jacob said, No, I pray you, if now I have found grace in your sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen your face, as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

if now.

Genesis 19:19
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Genesis 47:29
And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

Genesis 50:4
And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,

receive.

I have seen.

Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Genesis 43:3
And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

2 Samuel 3:13
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

Jump to Previous
Accept Eyes Face Favor Favorably Favour Forasmuch Found Gift Grace Hand Jacob Love Please Pleased Pleasure Present Receive Received Sight Sign Wast
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Accept Eyes Face Favor Favorably Favour Forasmuch Found Gift Grace Hand Jacob Love Please Pleased Pleasure Present Receive Received Sight Sign Wast
Genesis 33
1. Jacob and Esau's meeting; and Esau's departure.
17. Jacob comes to Succoth.
18. At Shechem he buys a field, and builds an altar, called El Elohe Israel.














But Jacob insisted
The Hebrew root for "insisted" is "פָּצַר" (patsar), which conveys a sense of urging or pressing strongly. This reflects Jacob's earnestness and determination to reconcile with Esau. Historically, this moment is significant as it marks a turning point in the relationship between the two brothers, who had been estranged due to past conflicts. Jacob's insistence underscores his genuine desire for peace and reconciliation, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

No, please!
The plea "please" is derived from the Hebrew "נָא" (na), a particle of entreaty or request. This expression of humility and respect highlights Jacob's changed heart. Once a deceiver, Jacob now approaches his brother with a spirit of humility and supplication, recognizing the importance of mending broken relationships. This transformation is a testament to the work of God in Jacob's life, teaching us the value of humility and the power of sincere repentance.

If I have found favor in your eyes
The phrase "found favor" is rooted in the Hebrew "חֵן" (chen), meaning grace or favor. This is a common biblical expression used when seeking goodwill or acceptance. Jacob's use of this phrase indicates his hope for reconciliation and acceptance by Esau. It reflects a broader biblical theme of seeking and finding favor, not only with others but ultimately with God, emphasizing the importance of grace in human relationships.

then accept this gift from my hand
The word "gift" in Hebrew is "מִנְחָה" (minchah), often used to describe offerings or tributes. Jacob's offering is not merely a material gift but a symbol of his desire for peace and reconciliation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such gifts were customary in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships. This act of giving illustrates the biblical principle of generosity and the importance of tangible expressions of goodwill in healing divisions.

For seeing your face is like seeing the face of God
This profound statement reflects Jacob's recognition of divine intervention in his reconciliation with Esau. The Hebrew word for "face" is "פָּנִים" (panim), often used in the context of encountering God's presence. Jacob equates his brother's favorable reception with a divine encounter, acknowledging God's hand in softening Esau's heart. This comparison underscores the belief that reconciliation and forgiveness are acts of divine grace, reminding us of the sacredness of restored relationships.

now that you have received me favorably
The phrase "received me favorably" is rooted in the Hebrew "רָצָה" (ratzah), meaning to be pleased with or to accept. This indicates Esau's acceptance and forgiveness of Jacob, a powerful moment of reconciliation. In the broader biblical narrative, this acceptance mirrors God's willingness to forgive and restore those who seek Him with a contrite heart. It serves as an inspirational reminder of the transformative power of forgiveness and the joy of restored fellowship.

(10) For therefore I have seen thy face.--The latter half of the verse would more correctly be translated, inasmuch as I have seen thy face as one seeth the face of Elohim, and thou hast received me graciously. To the Hebrew the thought of God was not terrifying, and so the vision of God's face was the sight of something good and glorious. There is much of Oriental hyperbole in comparing the sight of Esau to the beholding of the face of Deity, but it clearly conveyed the idea that Esau was using his power as generously and lovingly as is the wont of God; and God was so much nearer to the Hebrew in those simple days than he is to men now that science has revealed to them the immensity of His attributes, that there was no irreverence in the comparison.

The behaviour of Esau is very generous. He wished to spare his brother so large a present, and therefore leads the conversation to it, knowing, of course, what was the meaning of the five herds, as their drivers had delivered to him Jacob's message. To have refused it, however, would have been a mark of hostility, especially as Jacob represented it as the gift of an inferior for the purpose of obtaining the favour of one from whom he had feared danger. But Esau expostulates with his brother. He too was rich, and Jacob should keep what was his own. But Jacob still urges its acceptance as the proof of goodwill, magnifies the value of Esau's favour, and declares that by God's goodness he has still abundance, even after giving his brother so princely a present. It is called "blessing" because it was considered lucky to receive a gift, and of all good-luck God was the giver. (Comp. 1Samuel 25:27; 1Samuel 30:26.)

Verses 10, 11. - And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore - פִיעַלּ־כֵּן, because (Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Quarry), or, for this purpose (Keil, Kalisch, Hengetenberg, Lange, Ewald. Vide Genesis 18:5; Genesis 19:8; Genesis 38:26) - I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, - literally, as a vision of the/ace of Elohim, in which language Jacob neither uses adulation towards his brother (Tostatius), nor calla him a god in the sense in which heathen potentates are styled deities (Vatablus, Arabic, Chaldee), nor simply uses a superlative expression to indicate the majesty (Menochius) or benevolence (Ainsworth) of Esau's countenance, contended with him at the Jabbok (Bush); but either that he had received from Esau the same friendly welcome that one coming into God's presence would receive from him (Rosenmüller, Keil, Murphy, 'Speaker's Commentary'), or that he had come into Esau's presence with the same feelings of penitence as if he had been coming before God (Kalisch), or that, as he had already seen the face of God and his life was preserved, so now he had seen the face of Esau, and the anticipated destruction had not been inflicted on him (Quarry), either of which accords with the words that follow - and thou wast pleased with me - literally, thou hast graciously received me, the unexpressed thought being, as already I have been favorably accepted by Elohim. Hence Jacob with greater urgency renews his entreaty that Esau would not decline his proffered gift, saying, Take, I pray thee, my blessing (i.e. my present, the word signifying, as in 1 Samuel 25:27; 1 Samuel 30:26; 2 Kings 5:15, a gift by which one seeks to express good will) that is brought to thee; - or, which has been caused to come to thee, adding, as a special reason to induce him to accept - because God hath dealt graciously with me, - Elohim, it has been thought, is used here and in ver. 5 by Jacob instead of Jehovah, either "to avoid reminding Esau of the blessing of Jehovah which had occasioned his absence" (Delitzsch, Keil), or, " because Jehovah was exalted far above the level of Esau's superficial religion" Hengstenberg); but it is just possible that by its employment Jacob only wished to acknowledge the Divine hand in the remark- able prosperity which had attended him in Haran - and because I have enough - literally, there is to me all, i.e. everything I can wish (Murphy), all things as the heir of the promise (Keil). The expression is stronger than that used by Esau (ver. 9), and is regarded by some (Ainsworth) as indicating a more contented spirit than that evinced by Esau. And he urged him. In Eastern countries the acceptance of a gift is equivalent to the striking of a covenant of friendship. If your present be received by your superior yon may rely on his friendship; if it be declined you have everything to fear. It was on this ground that Jacob was so urgent in pressing Esau to accept his present (cf. A. Clarke in loco). And he took it, and so gave Jacob an assurance of his complete reconciliation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Jacob
יַעֲקֹ֗ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

insisted,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“No,
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

please!
נָא֙ (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have found
מָצָ֤אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

favor
חֵן֙ (ḥên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective

in your sight,
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

then receive
וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ (wə·lā·qaḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

this gift
מִנְחָתִ֖י (min·ḥā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

from my hand.
מִיָּדִ֑י (mî·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

For
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

indeed,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have seen
רָאִ֣יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

your face,
פָנֶ֗יךָ (p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and it is like seeing
כִּרְאֹ֛ת (kir·’ōṯ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

the face
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of God,
אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

since you have received me favorably.
וַתִּרְצֵֽנִי׃ (wat·tir·ṣê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7521: To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt


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OT Law: Genesis 33:10 Jacob said Please no if I have (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 33:9
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