Genesis 33:12
Genesis 33:12 in Multiple Translations
Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way, and I will go ahead of you.”
And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
And he said, Let us go on our journey together, and I will go in front.
“Let's get on our way,” Esau said. “I'll go ahead of you.”
And he saide, Let vs take our iourney and go, and I will goe before thee.
and saith, 'Let us journey and go on, and I go on before thee.'
Esau said, “Let’s take our journey, and let’s go, and I will go before you.”
And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
And said: Let us go on together, and I will accompany thee in thy journey.
Then Esau said, “Let’s continue traveling together, and I will show the road to you.”
Then Esau said, “Let’s go now. Let’s go to Seir, to the place where I live. We will go there together.”
Berean Standard Amplified — Genesis 33:12
BSA
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 33:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
נִסְעָ֣ה
וְ/נֵלֵ֑כָה
וְ/אֵלְכָ֖ה
לְ/נֶגְדֶּֽ/ךָ
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
נִסְעָ֣ה
nâçaʻ
H5265
to set out
V-Qal-1cp
וְ/נֵלֵ֑כָה
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
וְ/אֵלְכָ֖ה
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
לְ/נֶגְדֶּֽ/ךָ
neged
H5048
before
Prep | Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 33:12
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נִסְעָ֣ה
nâçaʻ
H5265
"to set out"
V-Qal-1cp
In the Bible, this word means to set out or start a journey, like the Israelites departing from Egypt, or to remove something, as in pulling up tent pins.
Definition: 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. See also: Genesis 11:2; Numbers 33:9; Psalms 78:26.
וְ/נֵלֵ֑כָה
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וְ/אֵלְכָ֖ה
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
לְ/נֶגְדֶּֽ/ךָ
neged
H5048
"before"
Prep | Prep | Suff
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Definition: subst 1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv 2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of 3) in front of oneself, straightforward 4) before your face, in your view or purpose with prep 5) what is in front of, corresponding to 6) in front of, before 7) in the sight or presence of 8) parallel to 9) over, for 10) in front, opposite 11) at a distance prep 12) from the front of, away from 13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from 14) from before, in front of 15) as far as the front of Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. See also: Genesis 2:18; Job 10:17; Psalms 10:5.
Study Notes — Genesis 33:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob Meets Esau
10But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.
11Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.
12Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way, and I will go ahead of you.”
13But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die. 14Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”Genesis 33:12 Summary
In Genesis 33:12, Esau offers to go ahead of Jacob, showing a willingness to lead and set the pace. This verse teaches us about the importance of kindness, generosity, and leadership, as also seen in other biblical examples, such as Matthew 20:26-28, where Jesus teaches that true leadership is about serving others. Just as Esau and Jacob were able to reconcile and start anew, we too can extend kindness and forgiveness to those around us, as seen in Matthew 6:14-15. By following Esau's example, we can learn to prioritize the needs of others and take the lead in a way that is humble and serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Esau offer to go ahead of Jacob in Genesis 33:12?
Esau's offer to go ahead of Jacob may have been a gesture of kindness and a sign of their reconciled relationship, as seen in Jacob's statement in Genesis 33:10 that Esau's face was like seeing the face of God, indicating a newfound respect and affection between them.
Is Esau's statement in Genesis 33:12 a genuine offer or a ploy to get away from Jacob?
While we cannot know Esau's motivations for certain, his actions in Genesis 33:11, where he accepts Jacob's gift, suggest that he is genuinely trying to make amends and start anew, making his offer to go ahead of Jacob likely a sincere one.
How does Genesis 33:12 relate to the rest of the story of Jacob and Esau?
Genesis 33:12 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jacob and Esau, as it marks a turning point in their relationship, transitioning from one of conflict and tension to one of reconciliation and peace, as also seen in Genesis 32:3-33:11.
What can we learn from Esau's leadership in Genesis 33:12?
Esau's offer to go ahead of Jacob demonstrates a willingness to take the lead and set the pace, which can be a valuable lesson for leaders today, as seen in other biblical examples of leadership, such as Moses in Exodus 32:1-35:35.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can extend kindness and generosity to those around me, just as Esau did in Genesis 33:12?
- How can I, like Jacob, prioritize the well-being and safety of those in my care, as seen in his response to Esau in Genesis 33:13-14?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to take the lead and set the pace, just as Esau did in Genesis 33:12?
- How can I balance the need to lead and take initiative with the need to consider the needs and limitations of others, as seen in Jacob's response to Esau in Genesis 33:13-14?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 33:12
And he said, let us take our journey, and let us go,.... To Seir, where Esau lived, and whither he invited Jacob to stop a while, and refresh himself and his family: and I will go before thee; to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 33:12
And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. Let us take our journey.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 33:12
Or rather, beside thee, so as to keep thee company, or to keep pace with thee.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 33:12
Genesis 33:12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.Ver. 12. Let us take our journey.] The Hebrews note, that Esau speaks in few, Jacob more fully: because it is the guise of proud stately persons to speak briefly, and hardly to bring forth half their words. "The poor speaketh supplications," saith Solomon; "but the rich answereth roughly".
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 33:12
12. And he said] Esau speaks. He assumes that Jacob will be glad to receive the protection of his armed men. Jacob declines, not wishing to incur the risk of friction arising from a collision between two large companies; and will not accept a kindness which might compromise his independence. It was wiser to separate, while they were still amicable. The natures remain the same; Esau’s thoughtless, Jacob’s calculating.