Bible Strands
Genesis 32:13
Jacob spent the night there, and from what he had brought with him, he selected a gift for his brother Esau:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau after praying for God's promised prosperity, using his own carried resources to assemble a substantial offering.
The words — The narrative records that he "took" (וַ/יִּקַּח / va/i.yi.Kach, H3947) "some of" (מִן\־ / min-, H4480) what was "in his hand" (בְ/יָד֛/וֹ / ve./ya.D/o, H3027) to form the gift.
The thread — This practice of selecting a tangible offering from one's own possession mirrors Israel's command to take the land's best products for Joseph in Genesis 43:11 and aligns with the principle that a gift opens doors as noted in Proverbs 18:16.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that Jacob translates divine promise into concrete action, demonstrating that prepared provision functions as the necessary precursor to the impending encounter.
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
And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
Cross-references
- Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
- 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.
- Genesis 43:26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him.
- Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 19:6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
- Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
- Genesis 18:2 And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
- 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 33:10 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.
- Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.