Genesis 32:16

He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jacob directs his servants while preparing to meet his brother Esau, immediately after compiling the livestock gifts in Genesis 32:15 and before issuing verbal instructions to the lead messenger in Genesis 32:17.

The words — The verb וַ/יִּתֵּן (va/yitten) translates literally as "and he gave," marking Jacob's transfer of the livestock into servant custody. The phrase לְ/בַדּוֹ (le/vado) means "to/only/it," specifying that each group must travel separately.

The thread — This divided company reappears in Genesis 32:20 as Jacob states his hope to appease Esau, and in Genesis 33:8 when Esau asks about the purpose of the multiple groups. The structural generosity Jacob employs also aligns with the principle outlined in Psalms 112:5.

Why it lands — The text records Jacob's reliance on calculated human strategy and physical separation rather than immediate divine rescue. Readers must note how practical preparation and controlled distance frame 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

וַיִּתֵּן֙va/i.yi.Tenand/ he gave [them]בְּיַד־be./yad-in/ [the] hand of עֲבָדָ֔יו'a.va.Da/vservants/ his עֵ֥דֶר'E.derherd עֵ֖דֶר'E.derherd לְבַדּ֑וֹle./va.D/oto/ only/ it וַ֤יֹּאמֶרVa/i.yo.merand/ he said אֶל־'el-to עֲבָדָיו֙'a.va.Da/vservants/ his עִבְר֣וּ'iv.Rupass over לְפָנַ֔יle./fa.Na/i<to>/ before/ me וְרֶ֣וַחve./Re.vachand/ a space תָּשִׂ֔ימוּta.Si.muyou will put בֵּ֥יןbeinbetween עֵ֖דֶר'E.dera herd וּבֵ֥יןu./Veinand/ between עֵֽדֶר׃'E.dera herd

King James Version

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

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 33:8 “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered.
Psalms 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
Proverbs 2:11 Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,
Isaiah 28:26 For his God instructs and teaches him properly.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.