Genesis 33:3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

◄ Genesis 33:3 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

English Standard Version
He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

New American Standard Bible
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

King James Bible
And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.

International Standard Version
Then he went out to meet Esau, passing in front of all of them, and bowed low to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

American Standard Version
And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he went forward and bowed down with his face to the ground seven times until his brother came near.

Darby Bible Translation
And he passed on before them, and bowed to the earth seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Young's Literal Translation
And he himself passed over before them, and boweth himself to the earth seven times, until his drawing nigh unto his brother,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

33:1-16 Jacob, having by prayer committed his case to God, went on his way. Come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob bowed to Esau. A humble, submissive behaviour goes far towards turning away wrath. Esau embraced Jacob. God has the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. It is not in vain to trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble. And when a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Esau receives Jacob as a brother, and much tenderness passes between them. Esau asks, Who are those with thee? To this common question, Jacob spoke like himself, like a man whose eyes are ever directed towards the Lord. Jacob urged Esau, though his fear was over, and he took his present. It is well when men's religion makes them generous, free-hearted, and open-handed. But Jacob declined Esau's offer to accompany him. It is not desirable to be too intimate with superior ungodly relations, who will expect us to join in their vanities, or at least to wink at them, though they blame, and perhaps mock at, our religion. Such will either be a snare to us, or offended with us. We shall venture the loss of all things, rather than endanger our souls, if we know their value; rather than renounce Christ, if we truly love him. And let Jacob's care and tender attention to his family and flocks remind us of the good Shepherd of our souls, who gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with young, Isa 40:11. As parents, teachers or pastors, we should all follow his example.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

3. 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 natural; for Esau being the elder brother, was, according to the custom of the East, entitled to respectful treatment from his younger brother. His attendants would be struck by it, and according to Eastern habits, would magnify it in the hearing of their master.