Genesis 33:3

He himself went ahead of them all, and as he continued to approach his older brother, he prostrated himself with his face on the ground seven times.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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

In Context

2He put the two female slaves and their children in front. He put Leah and her children next. He put Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

4But Esau ran to Jacob. He hugged him, put his arms around his neck, and kissed him on the cheek. And they both cried.

Read all of Genesis 33

Cross References

Genesis 42:6At that time Joseph was the governor of Egypt. He was the one who sold grain to people who came from all over Egypt and from many other countries [HYP] to buy grain. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they were told that it was necessary for them to talk with Joseph. So they went to him and prostrated themselves before him with their faces to the ground.

Genesis 48:12Joseph took the boys from alongside Jacob’s knees. Then he bowed down with his face to the ground.

Proverbs 6:3So, my son, I will tell you what you should do to escape from your difficulty, so that the moneylender does not get control over your wealth: Humbly go to your friend and plead with him to cancel the agreement!

Luke 14:11Also, remember this: God will humble those who exalt themselves. And he will exalt those who humble themselves.”

John 10:11I am like a good shepherd. A good shepherd is willing to die to save the sheep [MET]. Similarly, I am ready to sacrifice myself to save those who belong to me.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 33:2-5

Jacob's Interview with Esau. ( b. c. 1739.) 1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 33:3