Genesis 33:5

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 33:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are these with thee? And he said, The children whom God hath graciously given thy servant.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are these with thee? And he said, The children whom God hath graciously given thy servant.
Genesis 33:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are these with thee? And he said, The children whom God hath graciously given thy servant.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he lift up his eyes, and saw the women and children, etc.] 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, (<013205>Genesis 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who are those with thee?--It might have been enough to say, They are my children; but Jacob was a pious man, and he could not give even a common answer but in the language of piety (Psa 127:3; Psa 113:9; Psa 107:41).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Jacob and Esau Meet 17. סכת sûkkôth, Sukkoth, “booths,” consisting of poles forming a roof covered with branches, leaves, or grass. 19. חמור chămôr Chamor, “ass, red, heap.” קשׂיטה qeśı̂yṭâh Qesitah, weighed or measured. Ἀμνὸς Amnos, Septuagint and Onkelos Jacob has a friendly interview with Esau, and re-+enters Kenaan. Genesis 33:1-3 Jacob, upon seeing Esau approach with his four hundred men, advances with circumspection and lowly obeisance. He divided his family, arranged them according to their preciousness in his eyes, and walks himself in front. In drawing near, he bows seven times, in token of complete submission to his older brother. Esau, the wild hunter, is completely…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“33:5 your servant: In talking with his brother, Jacob continued to refer to himself as Esau’s servant (also 33:14) and to Esau as his lord (33:8, 13-15); Esau called Jacob “my brother” (33:9). Jacob was cautiously warding off any possible retaliation by reversing the words of the oracle (25:23).”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification