And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
3. before them ] Jacob himself goes in front of his household to protect them.
seven times ] Jacob prostrates himself before his brother, in token of complete subservience. Not content with one prostration, he bows seven times to the ground, with which has aptly been compared a letter from a Canaanite king to the king of Egypt in the Tel-el-Amarna tablets: “At the feet of the king, my lord, seven times and seven times do I fall.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He passed over before them, exposing himself to the first and greatest hazard for the security of his wives and children.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. he bowed himself . . . seventimesThe manner of doing this is by looking towards a superiorand bowing with the upper part of the body brought parallel to theground, then advancing a few steps and bowing again, and repeatinghis obeisance till, at the seventh time, the suppliant stands in theimmediate presence of his superior. The members of his family did thesame. This was a token of profound respect, and, though very marked,it would appear natural; for Esau being the elder brother, was,according to the custom of the East, entitled to respectful treatmentfrom his younger brother. His attendants would be struck by it, andaccording to Eastern habits, would magnify it in the hearing of theirmaster.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he passed over before them,…. At the head of them, as the master of the family, exposing himself to the greatest danger for them, and in order to protect and defend them in the best manner he could, or to endeavour to soften the mind of his brother by an address, should there be any occasion for it:
and bowed himself to the ground seven times; in a civil way, as was the manner in the eastern countries towards great personages; and this he did to Esau as being his elder brother, and as superior to him in grandeur and wealth, being lord of a considerable country; and at the same time religious adoration might be made to God; while he thus bowed to the ground, his heart might be going up to God in prayer, that he would appear for him at this instant, and deliver him and his family from perishing by his brother; and so the Targum of Jonathan introduces this clause,
“praying, and asking mercies of the Lord, and bowed, c.”
seven times, perhaps, may not design an exact number, but that he bowed many times as he came along:
until he came near to his brother he kept bowing all the way he came until they were within a small space of one another.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. And bowed himself to the ground seven times. This, indeed, he might do for the sake of giving honor: for we know that the people of the east are addicted to far more ceremonies than are in use with us. To me, however, it seems more probable, that Jacob did not pay this honor simply to his brother, but that he worshipped God, partly to give him thanks, and partly to implore him to render his brother propitious; for he is said to have bowed down seven times before he approached his brother. Therefore, before he came in sight of his brother, he had already given the token of reverence or worship. Hence we may conjecture, as I have said, that this homage was paid to God and not to man: yet this is not at variance with the fact, that he also approached as a suppliant, for the purpose of assuaging his brother’s ferocity by his humiliation. (112) If any one object, that in this manner he depreciated his right of primogeniture; the answer is easy, that the holy man, by the eyes of faith, was looking higher; for he knew that the effect of the benediction was deferred to its proper season, and was, therefore, now like the decaying seed under the earth. Therefore, although he was despoiled of his patrimony, and lay contemptible at his brother’s feet; yet since he knew that his birthright was secured to him, he was contented with this latent right, counted honors and riches as nothing, and did not shrink from being regarded as an inferior in the presence of his brother.
(112) Rivetus judiciously observes on this passage: “There are those who think that by this ceremony Jacob worshipped God; but by what argument they prove this I do not see; for whatever precedes or follows indicates that he wished to show reverence to his brother; and for this reason, he went before his family; so also the handmaidens and their sons bowed themselves; likewise Leah and her sons, and lastly, Rachel with Joesph; in each case the same word is used, which the Vulgate renders ‘adored.’ This verse also proves the same thing; for after he saw his brother approaching, he bowed seven times, till his brother drew near… This, therefore, was civil reverence, ( reverentia civillis,) which did not derogate from the spiritual right and prerogative of the covenant entered into with Jehovah.” This account seems much more probable than that given by Calvin. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
XXXIII.
(3) He passed over before them.While providing some small chance of escape for his wives and children, arranged according to their rank, Jacob manfully went first and placed himself entirely in Esaus power. He endeavoured, nevertheless, by his sevenfold obeisance in acknowledgment of Esaus superiority, to propitiate him; for the cause of the quarrel had been Jacobs usurpation of Esaus right of precedence as the first born. This bowing in the East is made by bending the body forward with the arms crossed, and the right hand held over the heart.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Before them He goes on first to meet whatever evil may be feared .
Bowed to the ground Not as in Gen 19:1, “with the face to the ground,” which denotes complete prostration, but groundward, so that though the face does not touch the ground, it is brought low towards it .
Seven times Such a repetition of these acts of humility would have a likely tendency to disarm Esau’s wrath . And doubtless the lowly obeisance and the lameness of Jacob drove from the generous hearted Esau whatever feeling of hardness or evil purpose he might have entertained towards him until now.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he himself went before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother.’
Bowing seven times was reserved for extremely important people who demanded great subservience. The petty princes of Palestine ‘bowed seven times’ to Pharaoh in the Amarna letters (14th century BC). Usually a single bow would be given (Gen 18:2; Gen 19:1). Jacob was giving Esau royal treatment.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 33:3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Ver. 3. And he passed over before them. ] As a good captain and shepherd, ready to be sacrificed for the safety of his charge. So the Captain of our salvation, the Arch-shepherd, Christ. So should the under-shepherds, the captains, as ministers are called, fight in the front, and bear the brunt of the battle, “not loving their lives unto the death, so they may finish their course with joy,” Act 20:24 de scuto magis quam de vita solliciti, as Epaminondas. The diamond in the priests’ breastplate showed what should be their hardness and hardiness, for the people’s welfare.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
passed: Joh 10:4, Joh 10:11, Joh 10:12, Joh 10:15
bowed: Gen 18:2, Gen 42:6, Gen 43:26, Pro 6:3, Ecc 10:4, Luk 14:11
seven times: 1Sa 2:5
Reciprocal: Gen 25:23 – two manner Gen 32:17 – Whose art Gen 48:12 – he bowed himself Exo 18:7 – did obeisance 2Sa 9:6 – he fell Mat 5:25 – with
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
A HAPPY REUNION
He came near to his brother.
Gen 33:3
Here is one of the affecting scenes in which Scripture abounds, the stalwart hunter rushing into his brothers arms, and kissing him, and both weeping at such a meeting after a separation of twenty years. Cf. the demonstrations of affection between Joseph and Benjamin, David and Jonathan, the prodigal and his father.
I. Jacobs piety is manifested in his recognition of Gods goodness.The name of God does not once, in the whole Scripture record, issue from Esaus lips, whereas Jacob distinctly avers here again that God has been the source of his prosperity, because God hath dealt graciously with me (ver. 11). This is the clue to the difference in the characters of the brothers, and to the different blessings and Scriptural eminence accorded them. Speak of the propriety of acknowledging Gods hand in all events.
II. In the reconcilement of his brother Jacob sees a fulfilment of the Angels promise.Esaus face reflects the face of God, by whose interposition and favour such amicable relations were reestablished. Conquering in the determination to secure Gods blessing, Jacob conquered in the trial that succeeded. This seems the meaning of verse 10. Compare it with verses 28 and 30 of chapter 32. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, but Jacob, the Divinely-benisoned man, stormed with success the hearts citadel.
III. The acceptance of the present was a pledge of complete reconciliation.An act of hostility would then be a gross breach of Oriental etiquette. A gift is as a precious stone (stone of grace) in the eyes of him that hath it. A gift in secret pacifieth anger. To return thanks unto God for His unspeakable gift, is to be reconciled unto Him thereby, and to have in Jesus Christ a propitiation for sin.
IV. But Jacob was too rash in promising.Pass on ahead, said he, and let me be, and I will come unto my Lord at Seir (ver. 14). Well, we read that Jacob came by and bye to Succoth, and afterwards he came in peace to Shechem, and there he pitched his tent and built his altar; but unto Mount Seir, with its jagged rocks and cliffs, and its stunted bushes and its straggling trees, there is no trace that Jacob ever came. No doubt he fully intended to go there; the promise was uttered in genuine good faith, but like many another promise, given in a glowing hour, the days passed by and it was not redeemed. Note the truthfulness of Scripture in never ignoring the failures of its heroes. The Bible would long since have been a forgotten book, if it had portrayed its leading actors as immaculate. There are few things so morally important as the habit of always living within our word. Jacob did not do that, but Jesus did. The performance of Jesus always excelled the promise. And while we thank God for all that He wrought through Jacob, and are the wiser and better for being in his company, we thank Him still more that it is another Prince in whose footsteps we are called to follow.
Illustration
(1) There are many things in life worse in the anticipation than in the reality. We cannot expect deliverances to happen unless we are right with God. There must have been the meeting with God by the Jabbok ford in the evening if there shall be the affectionate embrace between the brothers on the coming day. Our ways must please the Lord before we can expect Him to make even our enemies to be at peace with us. We must have power with God before we can have power with man and prevail. Too often we allow our peace to be broken by taking up weapons in our own defence. We run hither and thither in agitation and alarm. But there is a more excellent waythat of leaving the entire burden of dealing with our assailants in the hands of God. He is best able to vindicate us. Commit yourselves to Him that judgeth righteously. Fret not to do evil; and you will find that He who guides the course of streams and rivers can so affect the thought and heart that He will make Esau whom you dread one who will be willing to defend and succour you.
(2) Why do I not fear to meet my brother men? Have I not wronged them? In what I have failed to do, if not in what I have done. Let me not blame Jacob. Let me rather pray for a conscience as sensitive as his, and as righteous a fear of retribution! And, O God, let me be to-day a true brother to men!
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
33:3 And he passed over before them, and {b} bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
(b) By this gesture he partly revered his brother and partly prayed to God to appease Esau’s wrath.