Bible Strands
Genesis 32:4
He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob instructs his messengers to deliver a status report to his brother Esau in the land of Seir. This directive occurs immediately after Jacob dispatches the envoys ahead of his own approach.
The words — The verb וַיְצַו (va-yetzav) means "and he commanded," establishing Jacob's direct order. The phrase לַאֲדֹנִי (la-adoni) translates literally to "to my lord," framing the upcoming address.
The thread — The pattern of sending a formal, respectful message to a relative appears in Genesis 23:6 and mirrors the honorific address in 1 Peter 3:6. The structural parallel to Genesis 4:7 highlights the text's focus on proper conduct before a reckoning.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to note Jacob's deliberate use of structured humility to secure favor before a dangerous meeting. It demands attention to how careful speech functions as a practical step in navigating conflict.
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 commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.
- Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
- Genesis 23:6 “Listen to us, sir. You are God’s chosen one among us. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. None of us will withhold his tomb for burying your dead.”
- Genesis 27:29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
- Genesis 27:37 But Isaac answered Esau: “Look, I have made him your master and given him all his relatives as servants; I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What is left that I can do for you, my son?”
- Genesis 32:5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”
- Genesis 32:18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”
- 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.
- Exodus 32:22 “Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil.
- 1 Samuel 26:17 Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.