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.
15. What needeth it?] i.e. why should you do so? Jacob courteously declines his brother’s offer.
Esau here is withdrawn from the scene. The part which he has played in this chapter is dignified and chivalrous. He forgives and forgets. He has the force at his command, but will not make an unworthy use of it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And Esau said, let me now leave with thee [some] of the folk that [are] with me,…. To show him the way, and guard him on the road, and he appear the more honourable when he entered into Seir:
and he said, what needeth it? Jacob saw not the necessity of it; he knew the direct way very probably; he thought himself in no danger, since he was at peace with Esau, and he did not affect the grandeur of an equipage:
let me find grace in the sight of my lord; having his favour and good will, that was enough for him; and among the rest of the favours he received from him, he begged this might be added, that he might be excused retaining any of his retinue with him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
15. What needeth it Hebrews, Why this? Jacob politely declines a body of Esau’s men stationed as a guard around him . Such an arrangement would have only been likely to lead to difficulties which it were altogether better to avoid .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Esau said, “Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me.” And he said, “What is the need? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.” So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.’
Esau recognises the wisdom of what Jacob says, and is probably somewhat relieved. But at least he feels he can leave some of his people to help with the herding and provide further protection, although this may again have been a gesture between kinsfolk.
But Jacob certainly does not want to have Esau’s men there ensuring that they go to Seir. Nor is he certain what secret instructions they might be given. He is still all suspicion. He judges others by his own complicated make up. But the fact that he is able to make a case (‘what is the need’) demonstrates that he has a reasonably satisfactory band of men himself.
“Let me find favour in the sight of my lord.” A polite way of requesting that his wishes be honoured.
“So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.” No doubt both were relieved. The one because he would not be tied down to a laborious and boring task and, having fulfilled his family obligations, was now free to go his way unhindered. The other because he was free from what he would have seen as a constant threat, and would not have to go to Seir after all.
Seir was a mountainous area South of the Dead Sea. It was well suited to Esau’s men who no doubt saw it as a good land. It was away from strong cities and larger groupings of peoples, provided a safe refuge when he had been on his raids, and yet provided sufficient reasonably fertile land for feeding herds and planting crops for the maintenance of the group. But this was not Jacob’s idea of the ideal land at all. He believed firmly in the promises of Yahweh and they did not relate to Seir. And he preferred to be peaceable rather than belligerent. And who could tell when Esau’s attitude might change? He could always provide some excuse in the distant future as to why he had not continued his journey southward.
(As mentioned previously, Esau spent part of his time with the family tribe, assisting the blind Isaac and overseeing the tending of his own herds and flocks at crucial times, and part of the time in Seir ‘in the time when men go forth to battle’ (2Sa 11:1), adventuring with his men. He was connected by marriage to the Hivites who dwelt there (Gen 36:2). It is hardly conceivable that a doting son like Esau has shown himself to be would leave Isaac totally alone without assistance when Jacob was absent, and the fact that Esau’s whereabouts is known demonstrates that he keeps close connections with his family while enjoying his wilder life with his men).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 33:15 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.
Ver. 15. Let me find grace. ] That is, Condescend unto me, and leave none.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 33:15-17
15Esau said, “Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built for himself a house and made booths for his livestock; therefore the place is named Succoth.
Gen 33:15 “people” This is the term goi (BDB 766 I), which usually has a negative connotation referring to Gentiles, but here it is used of Esau’s men and in Exo 33:13 it refers to the people of God. Context, context, context determines word meaning, not lexicons! Words have meaning only in sentences; sentences have meaning only in paragraphs/strophe or stanzas; and these have meaning only in larger literary units. Be careful of “set” or “technical” definitions!
Gen 33:17 “Succoth” This term (BDB 697) means “booths.” Jacob built a shelter for himself, but this is called a “house” (BDB 108), but note Gen 33:19. He also built “booths” (BDB 697, i.e., a shelter made from branches) for his animals.
It is uncertain if there was a village in this area before Jacob camped there. It will later become the name of a city (cf. Jdg 8:5).
This is not the same as the Succoth located in the Egyptian delta (cf. Exo 12:7; Num 33:5). This is a city on the east side of the Jordan (i.e., The MacMillan Bible Atlas, p. 22).
One more point, Jacob does not seem to follow Esau to Mt. Seir, but travels to Succoth, which is not on the way to Seir/Edom. He even builds a house! It is uncertain if the text is telling us that (1) this was purposeful or (2) simply omits Jacob’s visit to Seir. I prefer option #2. I want to believe Jacob has truly changed, that he is no longer the trickster, manipulator, liar.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
What needeth it? Hebrew What for? or Why so? Figure of speech Erotesis and Ellipsis (App-6)= Why [have] anything?
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
leave: Heb. set, or place, What needeth it? Heb. Wherefore is this?
find grace: Gen 34:11, Gen 47:25, Rth 2:13, 1Sa 25:8, 2Sa 16:4
Reciprocal: Gen 30:27 – favour Gen 32:5 – may find 1Sa 1:18 – Let thine
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 33:15. He said, What needeth it? Esau having offered some of his men to be his guard and convoy, Jacob humbly refuses his offer. He is under the divine protection, and needs no other. Those are sufficiently guarded who have God for their guard, and are under a convoy of his hosts, as Jacob was. Jacob adds only, Let me find grace in the sight of my lord Having thy favour, I have all I need, all I desire from thee.