Genesis 32:16

Jacob split up all those animals into groups, and he gave each group to one of his work-men to look after. He said to those work-men, “Take these groups of animals, and go ahead of me to meet my brother Esau. But don’t all go at the same time. I want one group to go first. A bit later, I want the 2nd group to go. Then a bit later, I want the 3rd group to go. Keep on doing that until all the groups go.”

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

In Context

1530 female camels with their babies, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys.

17Then Jacob talked to the work-man that was in charge of that 1st group of animals. He said, “You are going to meet my brother Esau first. I reckon he will say to you, ‘Who is your boss? Where are you going? And who do these animals belong to?’

Read all of Genesis 32

Cross References

Genesis 33:8Then Esau said to Jacob, “I met your work-men walking along this road, and they gave me lots of animals, and they said, ‘These animals are a present from Jacob.’ Why did you send those animals to me?” Jacob said, “I respect you, just like a work-man respects his boss, and I want you to be happy with me. That’s the reason why I sent those animals to you.”

Matthew Henry on Genesis 32:14-24

Jacob's Present to Esau. ( b. c. 1739.) 13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; 14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, 15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals. 16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove. 17 And he… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 32:16