And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who [are] those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
5. Who are those with thee?Itmight have been enough to say, They are my children; but Jacob was apious man, and he could not give even a common answer but in thelanguage of piety (Psa 127:3;Psa 113:9; Psa 107:41).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he lift up his eyes, and saw the women and children,…. After the salutation had passed between him and his brother Jacob, he looked, and saw behind him women and children, Jacob’s two wives and his two handmaids, and twelve children he had by them,
and said, who [are] those with thee? who do those women and children belong to that follow thee? for Jacob had made no mention of his wives and children, when he sent his messengers to him, Ge 32:5; and therefore Esau might very well ask this question, which Jacob replied to:
and he said, the children which God hath graciously given thy servant; he speaks of his children as gifts of God, and as instances and pledges of his favour and good will to him, which he thankfully acknowledges; and at the same time speaks very respectfully to his brother, and in great condescension and humility owns himself his servant, but says nothing of his wives; not that he was ashamed, as Abarbinel suggests, that he should have four wives, when his brother, who had less regard for religion, had but three; but he mentions his children as being near kin to Esau, and by whom he might conclude who the women were, and of whom also he might give a particular account, though the Scripture is silent about it; since Leah and Rachel were his own first cousins, Ge 29:10; and who they were no doubt he told him, as they came to pay their respects to him, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When his eyes fell upon the women and children, he inquired respecting them, “ Whom hast thou here? ” And Jacob replied, “ The children with whom Elohim hath favoured me.” Upon this, the mothers and their children approached in order, making reverential obeisance. with double acc. “graciously to present.” Elohim: “ to avoid reminding Esau of the blessing of Jehovah, which had occasioned his absence” ( Del.).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. 6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. 7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. 8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. 9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. 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 I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. 11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. 12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. 13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. 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.
We have here the discourse between the two brothers at their meeting, which is very free and friendly, without the least intimation of the old quarrel. It was the best way to say nothing of it. They converse,
I. About Jacob’s retinue, v. 5-7. Eleven or twelve little ones, the eldest of them not fourteen years old, followed Jacob closely: Who are these? says Esau. Jacob had sent him an account of the increase of his estate (ch. xxxii. 5), but made no mention of his children; perhaps because he would not expose them to his rage if he should meet him as an enemy, or would please him with the unexpected sight if he should meet him as a friend: Esau therefore had reason to ask, Who are those with thee? to which common question Jacob returns a serious answer, such as became his character: They are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant. It had been a sufficient answer to the question, and fit enough to be given to profane Esau, if he had only said, “They are my children;” but then Jacob would not have spoken like himself, like a man whose eyes were ever towards the Lord. Note, It becomes us not only to do common actions, but to speak of them, after a godly sort, 3 John 6. Jacob speaks of his children, 1. As God’s gifts; they are a heritage of the Lord,Psa 128:2; Psa 112:9. 2. As choice gifts; he hath graciously given them. Though they were many, and now much his care, and as yet but slenderly provided for, yet he accounts them great blessings. His wives and children, hereupon, come up in order, and pay their duty to Esau, as he had done before them (Gen 33:6; Gen 33:7); for it becomes the family to show respect to those to whom the master of the family shows respect.
II. About the present he had sent him.
1. Esau modestly refused it because he had enough, and did not need it, v. 9. Note, Those who wish to be considered men of honour will not seem to be mercenary in their friendship: whatever influence Jacob’s present had upon Esau to pacify him, he would not have it thought that it had any, and therefore he refused it. His reason is I have enough, I have much (so the word is), so much that he was not willing to take any thing that was his brother’s. Note, (1.) Many that come short of spiritual blessings, and are out of covenant, yet have much of this world’s wealth. Esau had what was promised him, the fatness of the earth and a livelihood by his sword. (2.) It is a good thing for those that have much to know that they have enough, though they have not so much as some others have. Even Esau can say, I have enough. (3.) Those that are content with what they have must show it by not coveting what others have. Esau bids Jacob keep what he had to himself, supposing he had more need of it. Esau, for his part, needs it not, either to supply him, for he was rich, or to pacify him, for he was reconciled: we should take heed lest at any time our covetousness impose upon the courtesy of others, and meanly take advantage of their generosity.
2. Jacob affectionately urges him to accept it, and prevails, Gen 33:10; Gen 33:11. Jacob sent it, through fear (ch. xxxii. 20), but, the fear being over, he now importunes his acceptance of it for love, to show that he desired his brother’s friendship, and did not merely dread his wrath; two things he urges:– (1.) The satisfaction he had in his brother’s favour, of which he thought himself bound to make this thankful acknowledgment. It is a very high compliment that he passes upon him: I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, that is, “I have seen thee reconciled to me, and at peace with me, as I desire to see God reconciled.” Or the meaning is that Jacob saw God’s favour to him in Esau’s: it was a token for good to him that God had accepted his prayers. Note, Creature-comforts are comforts indeed to us when they are granted as answers to prayer, and are tokens of our acceptance with God. Again, It is matter of great joy to those that are of a peaceable and affectionate disposition to recover the friendship of those relations with whom they have been at variance. (2.) The competency he had of this world’s goods: God has dealt graciously with me. Note, If what we have in this world increase under our hands, we must take notice of it with thankfulness, to the glory of God, and own that therein he has dealt graciously with us, better than we deserve. It is he that gives power to get wealth, Deut. viii. 18. He adds, “And I have enough; I have all,” so the word is. Esau’s enough was much, but Jacob’s enough was all. Note, a godly man, though he have but little in the world, yet may truly say, “I have all,” [1.] Because he has the God of all, and has all in him; all is yours if you be Christ’s, 1 Cor. iii. 22. [2.] Because he has the comfort of all. I have all, and abound, Phil. iv. 18. He that has much would have more; but he that thinks he has all is sure he has enough. He has all in prospect; he will have all shortly, when he comes to heaven: upon this principle Jacob urged Esau, and he took his present. Note, It is an excellent thing when men’s religion makes them generous, free-hearted, and open-handed, scorning to do a thing that is paltry and sneaking.
III. About the progress of their journey. 1. Esau offers himself to be his guide and companion, in token of sincere reconciliation, v. 12. We never find that Jacob and Esau were so sociable with one another, and so affectionate, as they were now. Note, As for God his work is perfect. He made Esau, not only not an enemy, but a friend. This bone that had been broken, being well set, became stronger than ever. Esau has become fond of Jacob’s company, courts him to Mount Seir: let us never despair of any, nor distrust God in whose hand all hearts are. Yet Jacob saw cause modestly to refuse this offer (Gen 33:13; Gen 33:14), wherein he shows a tender concern for his own family and flocks, like a good shepherd and a good father. He must consider the children, and the flocks with young, and not lead the one, nor drive the other, too fast. This prudence and tenderness of Jacob ought to be imitated by those that have the care and charge of young people in the things of God. They must not be over-driven, at first, by heavy tasks in religious services, but led, as they can bear, having their work made as easy to them as possible. Christ, the good Shepherd, does so, Isa. xl. 11. Now Jacob will not desire Esau to slacken his pace, nor force his family to quicken theirs, nor leave them, to keep company with his brother, as many would have done, that love any society better than their own house; but he desires Esau to march before, and promises to follow him leisurely, as he could get forward. Note, It is an unreasonable thing to tie others to our rate; we may come with comfort, at last, to the same journey’s end, though we do not journey together, either in the same path or with the same pace. There may be those with whom we cannot fall in and yet with whom we need not fall out by the way. Jacob intimates to him that it was his present design to come to him to Mount Seir; and we may presume he did so, after he had settled his family and concerns elsewhere, though that visit is not recorded. Note, When we have happily recovered peace with our friends we must take care to cultivate it, and not to be behind-hand with them in civilities. 2. Esau offers some of his men to be his guard and convoy, v. 15. He saw Jacob but poorly attended, no servants but his husbandmen and shepherds, no pages or footmen; and therefore, thinking he was as desirous as himself (if he could afford it) to take state upon him, and look great, he would needs lend him some of his retinue, to attend upon him, that he might appear like Esau’s brother; but Jacob humbly refuses his offer, only desiring he would not take it amiss that he did not accept it: What needeth it? (1.) Jacob is humble, and needs it not for state; he desires not to make a fair show in the flesh, by encumbering himself with a needless retinue. Note, It is the vanity of pomp and grandeur that they are attended with a great deal of which it may be said, What needeth it? (2.) Jacob is under the divine protection, and needs it not for safety. Note, Those are sufficiently guarded that have God for their guard and are under a convoy of his hosts, as Jacob was. Those need not be beholden to an arm of flesh that have God for their arm every morning. 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.” If Jacob thus valued the good-will of a brother, much more reason have we to reckon that we have enough if we have the good-will of our God.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 5-11:
After the initial greeting to Jacob, Esau looked in surprise at the large contingent of women and children which made up Jacob’s family. Jacob presented the family members as gifts from Elohim, and introduced the Esau.
Esau then inquired about the droves of livestock he had encountered the preceding day. Jacob explained their purpose, and urged Esau to accept them in token that he had indeed forgiven him, and that all was right between them. At first, Esau declined, assuring Jacob that he had no need for the livestock. But Jacob insisted, and Esau finally accepted. The entire transaction is typical of the Orient: one offers a gift, the recipient declines; the giver insists, and finally the recipient accepts. Also, in the custom of the day, the acceptance of a gift was equivalent to making a pact of friendship. If the superior receives one’s gift, the giver may be assured of his friendship. If he rejects the gift, the giver may truly fear for his life. Thus it was vital to Jacob that Esau accept his gifts. When Esau accepted, it gave Jacob assurance of his full forgiveness.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5. And he lifted up his eyes. Moses relates the conversation held between the brothers. And as Esau had testified his fraternal affection by tears and embraces, there is no doubt that he inquires after the children in a spirit of congratulation. The answer of Jacob breathes piety as well as modesty; for when he replies, that his numerous seed had been given him by God, he acknowledges and confesses that children are not so produced by nature as to subvert the truth of the declaration, that the fruit of the womb is a reward and gift of God. And truly, since the fecundity of brute animals is the gift of God, how much more is this the case with men, who are created after his own image. Let parents then learn to consider, and to celebrate the singular kindness of God, in their offspring. It is the language of modesty, when Jacob calls himself the servant of his brother. Here again it is proper to recall to memory what I have lately touched upon, that the holy man caught at nothing either of earthly advantage or honor in the birthright; because the hidden grace of God was abundantly sufficient for him, until the appointed time of manifestation. And it becomes us also, according to his example, while we sojourn in this world, to depend upon the word of the Lord; that we may not deem it wearisome, to be held wrapped in the shadow of death, until our real life be manifested. For although apparently our condition is miserable and accursed, yet the Lord blesses us with his word; and, on this account only, pronounces us happy, because he owns us as sons.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) Who are those with thee?Heb., to thee, that is, Who are these belonging to thee? Esau noticed that they were Jacobs family, and asked for fuller information concerning them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And he lifted up his eyes and saw the women and the children and said, “Who are these with you?” And he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
When Esau sees the women and children he is impressed. To have many children was a sign of someone’s importance. But even here Jacob is wary. The children are of course Esau’s nephews and nieces, blood relatives, while the wives are less meaningful for him. So it is to the children that he refers. We notice his continuing subservience. He is still being cautious.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jacob had now about twelve children; and the eldest could not be much above fourteen years of age. A delightful little troop! But observe to whose mercy he refers all: Psa 127:3 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who [are] those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
Ver. 5. The children which God hath graciously given. ] Sept., E . For children are God’s gifts, as David taught Solomon. Psa 127:3 It is well observed, that good Jacob before a bad man, speaks religiously, “God of his grace,” &c.; and Esau, as bad as he was, makes no jest of it. There is no surer sign of a profane heart, than to jeer at good expressions; than which, nothing now-a-days is more familiar. Carnal spirits cannot hear savoury words, but they turn them off with a scorn, as Pilate did our Saviour, speaking of the truth, with that scornful profane question, “What is truth?” Shall these scoffers be counted Christians? Could any that heard Elijah mocking the service and servants of Baal, believe that Baal was God in his esteem? Shall not Esau rise up in judgment against such profane persons? And shall not Jacob disclaim all such profligate professors for having any relation to him, that dare not speak religiously, for fear of some Esau in company? that are ashamed to seem what they are, with Zedekiah, lest they that are fallen to the Chaldeans should mock them?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
with: Heb. to
children: Gen 30:2, Gen 48:9, Rth 4:13, 1Sa 1:27, 1Ch 28:5, Psa 127:3, Isa 8:18, Heb 2:13
Reciprocal: Gen 1:28 – General Jos 5:13 – he lifted 1Ki 5:7 – which hath 1Ch 25:5 – God gave Ecc 6:3 – a man
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 33:5. Who are these with thee? Jacob had sent Esau an account of the increase of his estate, but had made no mention of his children, perhaps because he would not expose them to his rage if he should meet him as an enemy. Esau, therefore, had reason to make this inquiry: to which Jacob returned a serious answer: They are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant He speaks of his children as Gods gifts; a heritage of the Lord, and as choice gifts, graciously given him. Though they were many, and but slenderly provided for, yet he accounts them great blessings.