Bible Strands
Genesis 32:11
Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob prays to God while encamped near the Jabbok, preparing to confront his brother Esau after dividing his household into two camps. He explicitly states his fear that Esau will launch a retaliatory attack against him and his family.
The words — The Hebrew imperative הַצִּילֵנִי (ha.tzi.le/nî) combined with the particle נָא (na') literally commands "please deliver me." The prepositional phrase מִיַּד עֵשָׂו (mi./Yad 'e.Sav) specifies the threat originates "from the hand of Esau."
The thread — This petition for rescue from familial hostility parallels Proverbs 18:19 on the fortified resistance of an offended brother and anticipates the deliverance petition in Matthew 6:13. The text grounds the request in God's prior covenant promise to multiply Jacob's offspring.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to recognize that strategic preparation does not replace the necessity of petitioning God when facing imminent danger. It places the burden of survival on divine intervention rather than human calculation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
Cross-references
- Psalms 59:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
- Proverbs 18:19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
- Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
- 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.”
- 1 Samuel 12:10 Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’
- 1 Samuel 24:15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
- Psalms 16:1 A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
- Psalms 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
- Psalms 31:2 Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.
- Psalms 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.