And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindmost.
Verse 2. He put the handmaids and their children foremost] There is something so artificial in this arrangement of Jacob’s family, that it must have had some peculiar design. Was Jacob still apprehensive of danger, and put those foremost whom he least esteemed, that if the foremost met with any evil, those who were behind might escape on their swift beasts? Ge 32:7-8. Or did he intend to keep his choicest treasure to the last, and exhibit his beautiful Rachel and favourite Joseph after Esau had seen all the rest, in order to make the deeper impression on his mind?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Placing his best beloved in the last and safest place.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he put the handmaids and their children foremost,…. In the first division, as being less honourable and less beloved by him:
and Leah and her children after; still according to the degree of honour and affection due unto them; Leah being a wife that was imposed and forced upon him:
and Rachel and Joseph hindermost; being most beloved by him, and therefore most careful of them; Rachel being his principal and lawful wife, and who had the greatest share in his affection, and Joseph his only child by her.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
MEETING OF JACOB AND ESAU, Gen 33:1-16.
2. Rachel and Joseph hindermost Jacob evidently arranged his companies according to his special affection for each; for the handmaids least, for Rachel most .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 33:2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
Ver. 2. He put the handmaids, &c. ] Of children and friends, some may be better beloved than others: and whereas all cannot be saved or helped, the dearest may be chiefly cared for.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rachel: Gen 29:30, Gen 30:22-24, Gen 37:3, Mal 3:17
Reciprocal: Gen 29:16 – was Leah Gen 30:4 – to wife Gen 35:23 – General Gen 42:4 – Lest 1Ki 11:7 – the hill
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 33:2-3. He put Rachel and Joseph hinder-most Giving those that were dearest to him most opportunity to escape. He passed over before them Exposing himself to the first and greatest danger for the security of his wives and children. He bowed himself to the ground Thus doing obeisance to Esau as an elder brother, though he feared him as an enemy.