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Genesis 33:4
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2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.
3 Then he crossed over before them and abowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.  
4 aBut Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, band fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.  
5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children awhom God has graciously given your servant.”  
6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.
7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Genesis 33:4 Mean?



Genesis 33:4

Genesis 33:4, 9 reveals an entirely different aspect to his personality than we normally think: "But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. . . . But Esau said, 'I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.'" This scene pictures a man who is generous and magnanimous even to one who had defrauded him of an extremely valuable possession.

God undoubtedly paved the way for Jacob in this instance, but still Esau's temperament seems to have been forgiving and without resentment even though normally more mercurial than Jacob's. It would quickly flare into anger and then subside just as quickly, so that it was difficult for him to hold a grudge. He seems lovable, impulsive, physically strong, and easygoing, but unfortunately, he was also somewhat of a spiritual airhead, careless, and lacking in strong principle.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Genesis 33:4:

Genesis 33:4
Genesis 33:9


 
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