Bible Strands
Genesis 33:3
But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jacob moves ahead of his arranged family to approach his brother Esau directly. He initiates the encounter by physically positioning himself before his brother.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּ (va.yish.tach.u) translates literally as "he bowed down," and the phrase שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים (she.va pe.a.mim) specifies "seven times."
The thread — A similar posture of prostration occurs in Genesis 18:2 when Abraham meets visitors, and the underlying principle of humility is stated in Luke 14:11.
Why it lands — The text records a physical act of submission without describing Esau's internal response. It requires the reader to observe how the supplicant bears the full weight of initiating contact before any reconciliation is recorded in Genesis 33:4.
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 passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 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.
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Genesis 43:26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him.
- 1 Samuel 2:5 The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.
- Proverbs 6:3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
- John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- John 10:15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.