Genesis 33:15

Easy-to-Read Version

So Esau said, "Then I will leave some of my men to help you." But Jacob said, "That is very kind of you, but there is no need to do that."

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
Esav said, "Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me." He said, "Why? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
And Esau said, "Let me leave some of my people with you." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

New Century Version
So Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my people with you." "No, thank you," said Jacob. "I only want to please you, my master."

New English Translation
So Esau said, "Let me leave some of my men with you." "Why do that?" Jacob replied. "My lord has already been kind enough to me."

Amplified Bible
Then Esau said, "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But Jacob said, "What need is there [for it]? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

New American Standard Bible
Then Esau said, "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then Esau said, I will leaue then some of my folke wt thee. And he answered, what needeth this? let me finde grace in the sight of my lorde.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Esau said, "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "Why do this? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Contemporary English Version
Esau replied, "Let me leave some of my men with you." "You don't have to do that," Jacob answered. "I am happy, simply knowing that you are friendly to me."

Complete Jewish Bible
‘Esav replied, "Then let me leave with you some of the people I have with me." But Ya‘akov said, "There's no need for my lord to be so kind to me."

Darby Translation
And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee [some] of the people that are with me. And he said, What need? Let me find favour in the eyes of my lord.

English Standard Version
So Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

George Lamsa Translation
And Esau said to him, Let me leave with you some of the men that are with me. But Jacob said, What need have I for them? Let me find mercy in the sight of my lord.

Good News Translation
Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my men with you." But Jacob answered, "There is no need for that for I only want to gain your favor."

Christian Standard Bible®
Esau said, “Let me leave some of my people with you.”

Literal Translation
And Esau said, Please let me place with you some of the people who are with me. And he said, Why, then? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Esau sayde: Yet wil I leaue some of my people with the. He answered: What nede is it? Let me but onely fynde grace in the sight of my lorde.

American Standard Version
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 favor in the sight of my lord.

Bible in Basic English
And Esau said, Then keep some of my men with you. And he said, What need is there for that, if my lord is pleased with me?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Esau sayd: I will leaue some of my folke with thee. And he aunswered: what needeth it? I shall finde grace in the sight of my Lorde.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
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 favour in the sight of my lord.'

King James Version (1611)
And Esau said, Let me now leaue with thee some of the folke that are with me: And hee said, What needeth it? let me finde grace in the sight of my lord.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Esau said, I will leave with thee some of the people who are with me. And he said, Why so? it is enough that I have found favour before thee, my lord.

English Revised Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
"Let me leave some of my people with you," Esau said. But Jacob replied, "Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Esau answeride, Y preie thee, that of the puple which is with me, nameli felowis of thi weie dwelle. Jacob seide, It is no nede; Y haue nede to this o thing oneli, that Y fynde grace in thi siyt, my lord.

Young's Literal Translation
And Esau saith, `Let me, I pray thee, place with thee some of the people who [are] with me;' and he said, `Why [is] this? I find grace in the eyes of my lord.'

Update Bible Version
And Esau said, Let me now leave with you some of the folk that are with me. And he said, Why do that? let me find favor in the sight of my lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee [some] of the people that [are] with me: And he said, What needeth it? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

World English Bible
Esau said, "Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me." He said, "Why? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

New King James Version
And Esau said, "Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

New Living Translation
"All right," Esau said, "but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you." Jacob responded, "That's not necessary. It's enough that you've received me warmly, my lord!"

New Life Bible
So Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But Jacob said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

New Revised Standard
So Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "Why should my lord be so kind to me?"

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said Esau: Let me leave, I pray thee, along with thee, some of the people who are with me! And he said - Why so? let me find favour in the eyes of my lord!

Douay-Rheims Bible
Esau answered: I beseech thee, that some of the people, at least, who are with me, may stay to accompany thee in the way. And he said: There is no necessity: I want nothing else but only to find favour, my lord, in thy sight.

Revised Standard Version
So Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of the men who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

THE MESSAGE
Esau said, "Let me at least lend you some of my men." "There's no need," said Jacob. "Your generous welcome is all I need or want."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Esau said, "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Contextual Overview

⁵ Esau looked up and saw the women and children. He said, "Who are all these people with you?" Jacob answered, "These are the children that God gave me. God has been good to me." ⁶ Then the two maids and the children with them went to Esau. They bowed down before him. ⁷ Then Leah and the children with her went to Esau and bowed down. And then Rachel and Joseph went to him and bowed down. ⁸ Esau said, "Who were all those people I saw while I was coming here? And what were all those animals for?" Jacob answered, "These are my gifts to you so that you might accept me." ⁹ But Esau said, "You don't have to give me gifts, brother. I have enough for myself." ¹⁰ Jacob said, "No, I beg you! If you really accept me, please accept the gifts I give you. I am very happy to see your face again. It is like seeing the face of God. I am very happy to see that you accept me. ¹¹ So I beg you to also accept the gifts I give you. God has been very good to me. I have more than I need." Because Jacob begged Esau to take the gifts, he accepted them. ¹² Then Esau said, "Now you can continue your journey. I will go with you." ¹³ But Jacob said to him, "You know that my children are weak. And I must be careful with my flocks and their young animals. If I force them to walk too far in one day, all the animals will die. ¹⁴ So you go on ahead. I will follow you slowly. I will go slowly enough for the cattle and other animals to be safe and so that my children will not get too tired. I will meet you in Seir."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

leave: Heb. set, or place, What needeth it? Heb. Wherefore is this?

find grace: Genesis 34:11, Genesis 47:25, Ruth 2:13, 1 Samuel 25:8, 2 Samuel 16:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:27 - favour Genesis 32:5 - may find 1 Samuel 1:18 - Let thine

Cross-References

Genesis 34:11
Shechem also talked to Jacob and to Dinah's brothers and said, "Please accept me. I will do anything you ask me to do.

Genesis 47:25
The people said, "You have saved our lives. We are happy to be slaves to Pharaoh."

Ruth 2:13
Then Ruth said, "I hope I can continue to please you, sir. You are very kind. I am only a servant and not even one of your own servants. But you have said kind words to me and comforted me."

1 Samuel 25:8
Ask your servants and they will tell you this is true. Please be kind to my young men. We come to you now, at this happy time. Please give these young men anything you can. Please do this for me, your friend David."

2 Samuel 16:4
Then the king said to Ziba, "All right, I now give you everything that belonged to Mephibosheth." Ziba said, "I bow to you. I pray I will always be able to please you."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Esau said, let me now leave with thee [some] of the folk that [are] with me,.... To show him the way, and guard him on the road, and he appear the more honourable when he entered into Seir:

and he said, what needeth it? Jacob saw not the necessity of it; he knew the direct way very probably; he thought himself in no danger, since he was at peace with Esau, and he did not affect the grandeur of an equipage:

let me find grace in the sight of my lord; having his favour and good will, that was enough for him; and among the rest of the favours he received from him, he begged this might be added, that he might be excused retaining any of his retinue with him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- 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 q^eśı̂yṭâh 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 softened, and manifests the warmest affection, which is reciprocated by Jacob. The puncta extraordinaria over וישׁקהוּ vayı̂shēqēhû, “and kissed him,” seemingly intimating a doubt of the reading or of the sincerity of Esau, are wholly unwarranted. Esau then observes the women and children, and inquires who they are. Jacob replies that God had granted, graciously bestowed on him, these children. They approach in succession, and do obeisance. Esau now inquires of the caravan or horde he had already met. He had heard the announcement of the servants; but he awaited the confirmation of the master. “To find grace in the eyes of my lord.” Jacob values highly the good-will of his brother. The acceptance of this present is the security for that good-will, and for all the safety and protection which it involved. Esau at first declines the gift, but on being urged by Jacob accepts it, and thereby relieves Jacob of all his anxiety. His brother is now his friend indeed. “Therefore, have I seen thy face,” that I might give thee this token of my affection. “As if I had seen the face of God.” The unexpected kindness with which his brother had received him was a type and proof of the kindness of the All-provident, by whom it had been added to all his other mercies. My blessing; my gift which embodies my good wishes. I have all; not only enough, but all that I can wish.

Genesis 33:12-16

They now part for the present. “I will qo with thee;” as an escort or vanguard. Jacob explains that this would be inconvenient for both parties, as his tender children and suckling cattle could not keep pace with Esau’s men, who were used to the road. “At the pace of the cattle;” as fast as the business (מלאכה melā'kâh) of traveling with cattle will permit. Unto Selr. Jacob is travelling to the land of Kenaan, and to the residence of his father. But, on arriving there, it will be his first duty to return the fraternal visit of Esau. The very circumstance that he sent messengers to apprise his brother of his arrival, implies that he was prepared to cultivate friendly relations with him. Jacob also declines the offer of some of the men that Esau had with him. He had, doubtless, enough of hands to manage his remaining flock, and he now relied more than ever on the protection of that God who had ever proved himself a faithful and effectual guardian.

Genesis 33:17

“Sukkoth” was south of the Jabbok, and east of the Jordan, as we learn from Judges 8:4-9. From the same passage it appears to have been nearer the Jordan than Penuel, which was at the ford of Jahbok. Sukkoth cannot therefore, be identified with Sakut, which Robinson finds on the other side of the Jordan, about ten miles north of the mouth of the Jabbok. “And built him a house.” This indicates a permanent residence. Booths, or folds, composed of upright stakes wattled together, and sheltered with leafy branches. The closed space in the text is properly introduced here, to indicate the pause in the narrative, while Jacob sojourned in this place. Dinah, who is not noticed on the journey, was now not more than six years of age. Six or seven years more, therefore, must have elapsed before the melancholy events of the next chapter took place. In the interval, Jacob may have visited his father, and even returned the visit of Esau.

Genesis 33:18-20

Jacob at length crosses the Jordan, and enters again the land of Kenaan. “In peace.” The original word (שׁלם shālēm “safe, in peace”) is rendered Shalem, the name of the town at which Jacob arrived, by the Septuagint. The rendering safe, or in peace, is here adopted, because (1) the word is to be taken as a common noun or adjective, unless there be a clear necessity for a proper name; (2) “the place” was called Shekem in the time of Abraham Genesis 12:6, and the “town” is so designated in the thirty-fifth chapter Genesis 35:4; and (3) the statement that Jacob arrived in safety accounts for the additional clauses, “which is in the land of Kenaan,” and “when he went from Padan-aram,” and is in accordance with the promise Genesis 28:21 that he would return in peace. If, however, the Salim found by Robinson to the west of Nablous be the present town, it must be called the city of Shekem, because it belonged to the Shekem mentioned in the following verse and chapter. “Pitched before the city.”

Jacob did not enter into the city, because his flocks and herds could not find accommodation there, and he did not want to come into close contact with the inhabitants. “He bought a parcel of the field.” He is anxious to have a place he may call his own, where he may have a permanent resting-place. “For a hundred kesitahs.” The kesitah may have been a piece of silver or gold, of a certain weight, equal in value to a lamb (see Gesenius). “El-Elohe-Israel.” Jacob consecrates his ground by the erection of an altar. He calls it the altar of the Mighty One, the God of Israel, in which he signalizes the omnipotence of him who had brought him in safety to the land of promise through many perils, the new name by which he himself had been lately designated, and the blessed communion which now existed between the Almighty and himself. This was the very spot where Abraham, about one hundred and eighty-five years ago, built the first altar he erected in the promised land Genesis 12:6-7. It is now consecrated anew to the God of promise.