Genesis 33:3
New International Version
He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

New Living Translation
Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him.

English Standard Version
He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Berean Standard Bible
But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

King James Bible
And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

New King James Version
Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

New American Standard Bible
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

NASB 1995
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

NASB 1977
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Amplified Bible
Then Jacob crossed over [the stream] ahead of them and bowed himself to the ground seven times [bowing and moving forward each time], until he approached his brother.

Christian Standard Bible
He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.

American Standard Version
And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Contemporary English Version
Jacob himself walked in front of them all, bowing to the ground seven times as he came near his brother.

English Revised Version
And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He went on ahead of them and bowed seven times with his face touching the ground as he came near his brother.

Good News Translation
Jacob went ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

International Standard Version
Then he went out to meet Esau, passing in front of all of them, and bowed low to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

Majority Standard Bible
But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

NET Bible
But Jacob himself went on ahead of them, and he bowed toward the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

New Heart English Bible
He himself went on ahead of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he approached his brother.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he passed on before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, till he came near to his brother.

World English Bible
He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he himself passed over before them, and bows himself to the earth seven times, until his drawing near to his brother,

Young's Literal Translation
And he himself passed over before them, and boweth himself to the earth seven times, until his drawing nigh unto his brother,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he passed through before them, and he will bow himself upon the earth seven times till he brought himself near to his brother.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he went forward and bowed down with his face to the ground seven times until his brother came near.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And advancing, he reverenced prostrate on the ground seven times, until his brother approached.

New American Bible
He himself went on ahead of them, bowing to the ground seven times, until he reached his brother.

New Revised Standard Version
He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he himself went on before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he passed before them and he bowed on the Earth seven times until he approached his brother.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But he advanced himself before them, and did reverence to the ground seven times, until he drew near to his brother.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Meets Esau
2He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.…

Cross References
Genesis 32:3-5
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. / He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. / I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”

Genesis 32:11
Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

Genesis 32:20
You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”

Genesis 27:41
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Genesis 27:45
until your brother’s rage against you wanes and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 31:3
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Genesis 31:55
Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.

Genesis 32:6-7
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.” / In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.

Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”

Genesis 50:17-21
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Luke 15:18-20
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.


Treasury of Scripture

And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

passed.

John 10:4,11,12,15
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice…

bowed.

Genesis 18:2
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Genesis 42:6
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

Genesis 43:26
And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

seven times.

1 Samuel 2:5
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

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Genesis 33
1. Jacob and Esau's meeting; and Esau's departure.
17. Jacob comes to Succoth.
18. At Shechem he buys a field, and builds an altar, called El Elohe Israel.














But he himself
This phrase emphasizes Jacob's personal initiative and responsibility. In the Hebrew text, the reflexive nature of the phrase underscores Jacob's deliberate action. Historically, this moment is significant as it marks Jacob's transition from a man who often relied on cunning and deceit to one who takes personal responsibility for his actions. It reflects a change in character, showing humility and courage as he steps forward to meet Esau.

went on ahead of them
Jacob's decision to go ahead of his family and servants is a demonstration of leadership and bravery. The Hebrew root for "went" (עבר, 'avar) can also mean to cross over or pass through, symbolizing Jacob's crossing from fear to faith. This act of going ahead signifies his willingness to face the consequences of his past actions and to protect his family by confronting Esau first.

and bowed to the ground
Bowing to the ground is a gesture of deep respect and submission. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such an act was a sign of humility and deference, often performed before a king or a person of higher status. The Hebrew word for "bowed" (שׁחה, shachah) conveys the idea of prostration, indicating Jacob's sincere desire for reconciliation and peace with Esau.

seven times
The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection. By bowing seven times, Jacob is not only showing extreme respect but also symbolically seeking a complete reconciliation with his brother. This act can be seen as a form of repentance and a desire to restore the broken relationship fully.

as he approached his brother
The phrase highlights the relational aspect of the encounter. The Hebrew word for "approached" (נגשׁ, nagash) implies drawing near with intention and purpose. Jacob's approach to Esau is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. It signifies his readiness to mend the rift between them and to seek forgiveness, reflecting a heart transformed by his encounter with God at Peniel.

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 Esau's power. He endeavoured, nevertheless, by his sevenfold obeisance in acknowledgment of Esau's superiority, to propitiate him; for the cause of the quarrel had been Jacob's usurpation of Esau's 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.

Verses 3, 4. - And he (the introduction of the pronoun giving emphasis to the statement) passed over before them (i.e. passed on in front of them, thus chivalrously putting himself in the place of danger), and bowed himself to the ground - not completely prostrating the body, as Abraham did in Genesis 19:1, but bending forward till the upper part of it became parallel with the ground, a mode of expressing deep reverence and respect, which may be seen to life in Oriental countries at the present day (Roberts, 'Oriental Illustrations,' p. 41) - seven times (not in immediate succession, but bowing and advancing), until he came near to his brother. The conduct of Jacob was dictated neither by artful hypocrisy nor by unmanly timidity; but by true politeness and a sincere desire to conciliate. And as such it was accepted by Esau, who ran to meet him, and, his better feelings kindling at the sight of his long-absent brother, embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him - as Joseph afterwards did to Benjamin (Genesis 45:14, 15), though the puncta extraordinaria of the Masorites over the word "kissed" seem to indicate either that in their judgment Esau was incapable of such fraternal affection (Delitzsch, Kalisch), or that the word was suspicious, Origen appearing not to have found it in his codices (Rosenmüller, Keil), unless indeed the conjecture be correct that the word was marked to draw attention to the power of God's grace in changing Esau's heart (Ainsworth). And they wept - the LXX. adding both. "All this is beautiful, natural, Oriental" ('Land and Book,' p. 372).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But [Jacob]
וְה֖וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

himself went on
עָבַ֣ר (‘ā·ḇar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

ahead
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם (lip̄·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

and bowed
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֤חוּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to the ground
אַ֙רְצָה֙ (’ar·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

seven
שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

times
פְּעָמִ֔ים (pə·‘ā·mîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

as
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

he approached
גִּשְׁתּ֖וֹ (giš·tōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

his brother.
אָחִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT Law: Genesis 33:3 He himself passed over in front (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 33:2
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