Genesis 33:4
New International Version
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

New Living Translation
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

English Standard Version
But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Berean Standard Bible
Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

King James Bible
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

New King James Version
But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

New American Standard Bible
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

NASB 1995
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

NASB 1977
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Amplified Bible
But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and hugged his neck and kissed him, and they wept [for joy].

Christian Standard Bible
But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept.

American Standard Version
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

Contemporary English Version
But Esau ran toward Jacob and hugged and kissed him. Then the two brothers started crying.

English Revised Version
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Esau ran to meet Jacob. Esau hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They both cried.

Good News Translation
But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They were both crying.

International Standard Version
Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him. Then he fell on his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Majority Standard Bible
Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

NET Bible
But Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. Then they both wept.

New Heart English Bible
Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. And they wept.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

World English Bible
Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Esau runs to meet him, and embraces him, and falls on his neck, and kisses him, and they weep;

Young's Literal Translation
and Esau runneth to meet him, and embraceth him, and falleth on his neck, and kisseth him, and they weep;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Esau will run to his meeting and he will embrace him and will fall upon his neck and will kiss him, and they will weep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Esau ran to meet his brother, and embraced him: and clasping him fast about the neck, and kissing him, wept.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so Esau ran to meet his brother, and he embraced him. And drawing him by his neck and kissing him, he wept.

New American Bible
Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, and flinging himself on his neck, kissed him as he wept.

New Revised Standard Version
But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him; and they wept.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and he fell on his neck and he kissed him and wept.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Esau ran on to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they both wept.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Meets Esau
3But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. 5When 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.”…

Cross References
Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Matthew 5:24
leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. / Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

1 Samuel 24:16-19
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud / and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. ...

2 Samuel 14:33
So Joab went and told the king, and David summoned Absalom, who came to him and bowed facedown before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.

Genesis 45:14-15
Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. / Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 50:17-21
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...

Hosea 11:8
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

Psalm 85:10
Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.


Treasury of Scripture

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

embraced.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Genesis 43:30,34
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there…

Genesis 45:2,15
And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard…

fell on.

Genesis 45:14,15
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck…

Genesis 46:29
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Jump to Previous
Arms Embraced Esau Falleth Fell Folding Jacob Kiss Kissed Kisseth Meet Neck Overcome Ran Runneth Running Threw Weep Weeping Wept
Jump to Next
Arms Embraced Esau Falleth Fell Folding Jacob Kiss Kissed Kisseth Meet Neck Overcome Ran Runneth Running Threw Weep Weeping Wept
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 Esau ran to meet him
The phrase begins with "But Esau," indicating a contrast to the potential hostility Jacob feared. The Hebrew root for "ran" (רָץ, rats) suggests urgency and eagerness. This action is significant, as it defies Jacob's expectations of anger and revenge. Historically, Esau's running reflects a cultural gesture of reconciliation and acceptance, reminiscent of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20). This act of running signifies a breaking down of barriers and a willingness to restore a broken relationship.

embraced him
The Hebrew word for "embraced" (חָבַק, chabaq) conveys a sense of warmth and affection. In ancient Near Eastern culture, an embrace was a powerful symbol of reconciliation and peace. This embrace signifies Esau's genuine forgiveness and acceptance of Jacob, highlighting the transformative power of grace and the restoration of familial bonds. It is a physical manifestation of the healing of past wounds and the renewal of brotherly love.

fell on his neck
The phrase "fell on his neck" is a vivid depiction of deep emotional connection and vulnerability. The Hebrew context suggests an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. This action is not merely a greeting but an expression of profound emotional release. It signifies the breaking down of years of estrangement and the restoration of intimacy between the brothers. This moment is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the healing of relationships through divine intervention.

and kissed him
The act of kissing (נָשַׁק, nashaq) in Hebrew culture was a sign of affection, respect, and reconciliation. This kiss is a seal of peace and a public declaration of Esau's forgiveness. It echoes the biblical theme of reconciliation, as seen in other scriptural accounts where a kiss signifies the restoration of relationships (e.g., Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 45:15). This gesture underscores the sincerity of Esau's forgiveness and the complete restoration of their brotherly bond.

And they wept
The shared weeping of Esau and Jacob is a powerful expression of their emotional release and reconciliation. The Hebrew root for "wept" (בָּכָה, bakah) indicates a deep, heartfelt cry. This mutual weeping signifies the healing of past hurts and the joy of restored fellowship. It reflects the biblical principle that true reconciliation involves both parties and often comes with an emotional outpouring. Their tears are a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and the joy of renewed relationships, reminding us of the importance of seeking peace and reconciliation in our own lives.

(4) Esau ran to meet him.--Whatever may have been Esau's intention when he started, no sooner does he see his brother than the old times of their childhood return to his heart, and he is overcome with love; nor does he ever seem afterwards to have wavered in his fraternal affection. We have had a proof before (in Genesis 27:38) of Esau being a man of warm feelings, and similarly now he is again overmastered by his loving impulses. It is curious that the Hebrew word for "he kissed him" has had what are called extraordinary vowels attached to it, and the Masorites are supposed to signify thereby that Esau's kiss was not a sign of genuine love. For such an ill-natured supposition there is no warrant whatsoever.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Esau, however,
עֵשָׂ֤ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

ran to him
וַיָּ֨רָץ (way·yā·rāṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7323: To run

and embraced him,
וַֽיְחַבְּקֵ֔הוּ (way·ḥab·bə·qê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2263: To clasp, embrace

threw his arms around
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

his neck,
צַוָּארָ֖ו‪‬ (ṣaw·wā·rāw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6677: The back of the neck

and kissed him.
וַׄיִּׄשָּׁׄקֵ֑ׄהׄוּׄ‪‬ (way·yiš·šā·qê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5401: To kiss, to equip with weapons

And they both wept.
וַיִּבְכּֽוּ׃ (way·yiḇ·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan


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OT Law: Genesis 33:4 Esau ran to meet him embraced him (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 33:3
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