Bible Strands
Genesis 33:15
“Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Esau offers to leave a military escort behind with Jacob, but Jacob declines the proposal during their parting conversation following their long-awaited reunion.
The words — The Hebrew אַצִּֽיגָה־ (a.tzi.gah-) literally means "let me place" or "leave behind," while the particle נָּא (na') softens the request as "please" or "now."
The thread — Jacob’s reply employs the diplomatic formula "find favor in the sight of my lord," which also appears when Ruth addresses Boaz (Ruth 2:13), when Shechem negotiates with Jacob’s family (Genesis 34:11), and when the Israelites acknowledge Pharaoh’s protection (Genesis 47:25).
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to observe Jacob’s deliberate refusal of armed protection while using formal language to preserve diplomatic leverage and ensure his own safe departure.
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 Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.
Cross-references
- Ruth 2:13 “My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.”
- Genesis 34:11 Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Grant me this favor, and I will give you whatever you ask.
- Genesis 47:25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
- 1 Samuel 25:8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”
- 2 Samuel 16:4 So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”