Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob instructs his servants to announce that their master follows the gift caravan, while he privately calculates that the offerings will soften his brother's hostility and secure his welcome.
The words — The Hebrew עַבְדְּךָ ('avdecha, "your servant") and הִנֵּה (hinneh, "look/there") structure the servants' scripted reply, and אָמַר ('amar, "he said") introduces Jacob's internal strategy.
The thread — This reliance on material offerings to avert hostility mirrors the covert bribe that pacifies wrath in Proverbs 21:14 and the sacrificial gifts Job's friends are commanded to bring in Job 42:8.
Why it lands — The text records Jacob's pragmatic attempt to control his brother's reaction through a gift procession, concluding with the uncertain hope that Esau will accept him.
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 say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
Cross-references
- Job 42:8 So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”
- Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
- 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.
- 1 Samuel 6:5 Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.
- 1 Samuel 25:17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”
- 1 Kings 20:31 Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
- Proverbs 6:35 He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.
- Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
- Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- Jonah 3:9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”