Gen 33:3-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 33:3-13: 33:3-13 Even though Jacob had nothing to fear, he was afraid and tried to appease his brother. He assumed the role of a servant before royalty by bowing (33:3 ), using an honorific title (33:8 , 13 ), making introductions (33:6-7 ), and presenting gifts (33:8 ).

Summary for Gen 33:3-13: 33:3-13 ^a Even though Jacob had nothing to fear, he was afraid and tried to appease his brother. He assumed the role of a servant before royalty by bowing (33:3 ^b), using an honorific title (33:8 ^c, 13 ^d), making introductions (33:6-7 ^e), and presenting gifts (33:8 ^f).
33:4 ^g Esau’s friendly greeting was an answer to prayer (32:11 ^h). God had rescued Jacob from Esau’s revenge.
33:5 ⁱ your servant: In talking with his brother, Jacob continued to refer to himself as Esau’s servant (also 33:14 ^j) and to Esau as his lord (33:8 ^k, 13-15 ^l); Esau called Jacob “my brother” (33:9 ^m). Jacob was cautiously warding off any possible retaliation by reversing the words of the oracle (25:23 ⁿ).
33:7 ^o Among Jacob’s sons, only Joseph is named; he was Jacob’s favorite son and the recipient of the blessing.
33:10 ^p Jacob knew that Esau’s friendly greeting was God’s work, secured at Peniel when he saw God face to face.
33:11 ^q this gift I have brought you (literally my blessing): Jacob perceived Esau as a threat and tried to appease him with a gift (cp. 2 Kgs 17:3-4 ^r; 18:7 ^s, 14 ^t; 2 Chr 28:21 ^u), perhaps in a guilty attempt to undo the past. Jacob would not take no for an answer.
Summary for Gen 33:12-15: 33:12-15 ^v Despite Esau’s apparent magnanimity, Jacob was wary and cleverly avoided traveling with his brother.

• I will meet you at Seir: Jacob’s lie manifests his old character, living by deception rather than by faith.