And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
10. forasmuch as I have seen ] R.V. marg. for therefore have I seen. See Gen 18:5, Gen 19:8 (J).
as one seeth the face of God ] Jacob desires to imply that to have seen the face of Esau, and to have found him friendly, was as if one had looked on the face of God, and found it favourable. The phrase is therefore an elaborate compliment, such as is found in 1Sa 29:9, 2Sa 14:17, where David is compared to an angel of God. We can hardly doubt that this turn of compliment contains a side allusion to the name of the locality, Peniel. Cf. Gen 32:30-31.
The phrase “to see the face” is equivalent to being “admitted into the royal presence”; cf. Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5; 2Ki 25:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 10. Receive my present at my hand] Jacob could not be certain that he had found favour with Esau, unless the present had been received; for in accepting it Esau necessarily became his friend, according to the custom of those times, and in that country. In the eastern countries, if your present be received by your superior, you may rely on his friendship; if it be not received, you have every thing to fear. It is on this ground that Jacob was so urgent with Esau to receive his present, because he knew that after this he must treat him as a friend.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For therefore I have seen thy face; or, for I therefore tender it unto thee, and humbly beg thy acceptance of it, because; for thus the Hebrew al-cen is used, Num 14:43, and elsewhere.
As though I had seen the face of God. It is in a manner as pleasant a sight to me as the sight of God himself, because in thy reconciled face I see the face and favour of God thus manifested unto me.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Jacob said, nay, I pray thee,…. Do not say so, as the Targum of Jonathan supplies it, or do not refuse my present:
if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; signifying, that the acceptance of his present would be a token to him, and give him full satisfaction that he bore a good will to him, and did not retain anger and resentment against him:
for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God; or of princes, as Onkelos, as the face of some great personage, as he was; or as the face of an angel, very pleasant and lovely; or as the face of God himself, he observing the love and favour of God to him, in working upon the heart of Esau, and causing him to carry it so lovingly to him; wherefore for this reason receive it, because I have had such an agreeable sight of thee:
and thou wast pleased with me; accepted of me, and kindly received me:
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“ For therefore, ” sc., to be able to offer thee this present, “ have I come to see thy face, as man seeth the face of God, and thou hast received me favourably.” The thought is this: In thy countenance I have been met with divine (heavenly) friendliness (cf. 1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 14:17). Jacob might say this without cringing, since he “must have discerned the work of God in the unexpected change in his brother’s disposition towards him, and in his brother’s friendliness a reflection of this divine.”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
10. Receive my present at my hand. This noun may be taken passively as well as actively. If understood actively, the sense will be, “Accept the present by which I desire to testify my goodwill towards thee.” If understood passively, it may be referred to God, as if Jacob had said, “Those things which the Lord has bestowed upon me by his grace, I liberally impart to thee, that thou mayest be, in some measure, a partaker with me of that divine blessing which I have received.” But not to insist upon a word, Jacob immediately afterwards clearly avows that whatever he possesses, is not the fruit of his labor or industry, but has been received by him through the grace of God, and by this reasoning he attempts to induce his brother to accept the gift; as if he had said, “The Lord has poured upon me an abundance, of which some part, without any loss to me, may overflow to thee.” And though Jacob thus speaks under the impulse of present circumstances, he yet makes an ingenuous confession by which he celebrates the grace of God. Nearly the same words are on the tongues of all; but there are few who truly ascribe to God what they possess: the greater part sacrifice to their own industry. Scarcely one in a hundred is convinced, that whatever is good flows from the gratuitous favor of God; and yet by nature this sense is engraven upon our minds, but we obliterate it by our ingratitude. It has appeared already, how labourious was the life of Jacob: nevertheless, though he had suffered the greatest annoyances, he celebrates only the mercy of God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) For therefore I have seen thy face.The latter half of the verse would more correctly be translated, inasmuch as I have seen thy face as one seeth the face of Elohim, and thou hast received me graciously. To the Hebrew the thought of God was not terrifying, and so the vision of Gods face was the sight of something good and glorious. There is much of Oriental hyperbole in comparing the sight of Esau to the beholding of the face of Deity, but it clearly conveyed the idea that Esau was using his power as generously and lovingly as is the wont of God; and God was so much nearer to the Hebrew in those simple days than he is to men now that science has revealed to them the immensity of His attributes, that there was no irreverence in the comparison.
The behaviour of Esau is very generous. He wished to spare his brother so large a present, and therefore leads the conversation to it, knowing, of course, what was the meaning of the five herds, as their drivers had delivered to him Jacobs message. To have refused it, however, would have been a mark of hostility, especially as Jacob represented it as the gift of an inferior for the purpose of obtaining the favour of one from whom he had feared danger. But Esau expostulates with his brother. He too was rich, and Jacob should keep what was his own. But Jacob still urges its acceptance as the proof of goodwill, magnifies the value of Esaus favour, and declares that by Gods goodness he has still abundance, even after giving his brother so princely a present. It is called blessing because it was considered lucky to receive a gift, and of all good-luck God was the giver. (Comp. 1Sa. 25:27; 1Sa. 30:26.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. As though I had seen the face of God Comp . 1Sa 29:9 ; 2Sa 14:17. Jacob might most truly say this, and believe in his heart that God himself, the God of Penuel, who had blessed him the last night, had changed and softened the disposition of Esau towards him .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Jacob said, “No, I beg you. If now I have found favour in your sight then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face as one sees the face of God and you were pleased with me. Take, I beg you, my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have abundance.” And he urged him, and he took it.’
Jacob continues to urge Esau to accept his gift. He knows that if the gift is accepted graciously he will be that much safer. In the light of the customs of the time even Esau would not accept a gift and then indulge in hostility. But there is in it a sense of gratitude to God who has brought about this situation. He had seen God face to face and God had blessed him. Now he sees in this friendly meeting a part of that blessing, and he desires to pass some of the blessing on. Besides, he urges, he is very wealthy. The suggestion is that such a small gift means nothing to him. To his relief Esau accepts the gift.
“I have seen your face as one sees the face of God.” In context this can only have in mind his struggle at Penuel. Esau, who does not know what he is referring to, probably see is as a rather extreme compliment. He is like God to Jacob. But inwardly Jacob is full of praise to God and reflects it in these words. He remembers that significant meeting and sees it reflected here in his friendly reception. He had seen the face of God, and had been reassured of his safety, so now he can look on the face of Esau with equanimity.
“God has dealt graciously with me.” To Esau this indicates that his wealth has built up satisfactorily, thanks to God’s help. But Jacob is probably equally thinking of this present change in his fortunes, different from what he had expected.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 33:10. Nay, I pray thee, &c. Houbigant translates this verse, “Not so, I pray thee. If I am in any favour with thee, thou wilt receive this present at my hand, (for I have seen thy face, as if I had seen the face of God,) and thou wilt accept me;” i.e.. thou wilt receive my present as a token of my love, as a proof of reconciliation and friendship; for I am happy in the assurance of it, having met thee propitious to me, and well inclined, as God himself is to those who address him; and I have such pleasure in this meeting, as a sincere soul finds in obtaining from God himself tokens of his love and favour. Thus Esther says to king Ahasuerus, “I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty; for wonderful art thou, O Lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.” Apoc. Est 5:12-13. But I fear there is a degree of flattery in all this which is unworthy the saints of the Most High; though some allowance perhaps must be made for the eastern manner of speaking.
REFLECTIONS.At last the danger approaches, and now he finds indeed that God will take care of him in his perilous situation. Note; Those who have confidence in God, may cheerfully wait the issue of every trial. Observe,
1. Jacob’s order of march. If flight should be needful, the most beloved were hindmost and likeliest to escape.
2. His approach to Esau, full of deep respect to him as his superior. He mentions nothing of the birth-right, but pays the duty he owed to him as an elder brother. Note; (1.) It is wise to keep out of view whatever would open old sores. (2.) A submissive conduct, which notwithstanding should be within the bounds of reason, mollifies offended pride.
The unexpected reception he met with. Note; God hath the hearts of all men in his hands. How often, through God’s blessing, do we find the issue of our trials much better than our fears suggested? Instead of fierce wrath, kisses of kindness; and for drops of blood in anger, tears of joy mingle on their cheeks! Happy meeting! May every difference among brethren be thus accommodated!
Nothing but friendship now breathed in Esau’s discourse. His inquiries are as kind, as Jacob’s answers are respectful. He inquires,
1. Regarding his children. They are, says Jacob, the children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Note; A good man, when he speaks of ordinary things, may be known by the constant remembrance he hath of God.
2. Regarding the droves of cattle. They are a present for his lord Esau. Esau pleads his abundance; he has enough. Jacob presses his acceptance, as a thankful acknowledgment of his favourable countenance towards him, which he esteems the greatest blessing next to the Divine regard. Esau acquiesces; and thus their friendship is cemented. Note; (1.) When a man has enough of his own, he ought civilly to refuse needless obligations. (2.) A Christian’s heart, like Jacob’s, is ever open and generous. (3.) Whatever we gain in the world, we should always remember that it is the blessing of the Lord which maketh rich. (4.) We are to take care that the pride of not being obliged, does not make us slight the favours of our friends.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
There is a difference in the expression of enough, in this verse, from the same expression in Gen 33:9 . Jacob’s enough means, I have all. And so he had, according to Paul’s explanation of covenant blessings. See 1Co 3:22-23 ; Phi 4:18-19 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jacob said. Figure of speech Ellipsis. (App-6). Ellipsis should be supplied thus: “Jacob [refused, and] said. “
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
if now: Gen 19:19, Gen 47:29, Gen 50:4, Exo 33:12, Exo 33:13, Rth 2:10, 1Sa 20:3, Jer 31:2
receive: To accept a present from an inferior was a customary pledge of friendship; but returning it implied disaffection. It was on this ground that Jacob was so urgent with Esau to receive his present.
I have seen: Gen 32:30, Gen 43:3, 2Sa 3:13, 2Sa 14:24, 2Sa 14:28, 2Sa 14:32, Job 33:26, Psa 41:11, Mat 18:10, Rev 22:4
Reciprocal: Gen 18:5 – are ye come Gen 32:13 – a present Gen 39:4 – Joseph Gen 43:11 – carry down Rth 2:13 – Let me find Pro 18:16 – General 2Co 8:4 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 33:10. As though I had seen the face of God That is, thy meeting me in this peaceable manner is very comfortable and refreshing to me, and an evident token of Gods favour to me, Psa 41:11. Or, I have seen thee reconciled to me, and at peace with me, as I desire to see God reconciled.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore {d} I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
(d) In that his brother embraced him so lovingly, contrary to his expectation, he accepted it as a clear sign of God’s presence.