Genesis 32:4 - Forerunner Commentary

Genesis 32:4

2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s ^acamp.” And he called the name of that place¹ Mahanaim.

3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother ^ain the land of Seir, ^bthe country of Edom.

4 And he commanded them, saying, ^a“Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

5 ^aI have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that ^bI may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and ^ahe also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and ^adistressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.

8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and¹ attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”

9 ^aThen Jacob said, ^b“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord ^cwho said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the ^amercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with ^bmy staff, and now I have become two companies.

Verse Comparison: Genesis 32:4

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American Standard Version
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now:

Amplified® Bible
And he commanded them, Say this to my lord Esau: Your servant Jacob says this: I have been living temporarily with Laban and have stayed there till now.

Contemporary English Version
Jacob told them to say to Esau, "Master, I am your servant! I have lived with Laban all this time,

Darby English Version
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak to my lord, to Esau: Thy servant Jacob speaks thus -- With Laban have I sojourned and tarried until now;

Good News Bible
He instructed them to say: "I, Jacob, your obedient servant, report to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now.

King James Version
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

New American Standard Bible
He also commanded them saying, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: `Thus says your servant Jacob, "I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now;

New International Version
He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: 'Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now.

New King James Version
And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
He also commanded them saying, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: 'Thus says your servant Jacob, "I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now;

Revised Standard Version
instructing them, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, 'I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now;

Young's Literal Translation
and commandeth them, saying, `Thus do ye say to my lord, to Esau: Thus said thy servant Jacob, With Laban I have sojourned, and I tarry until now;

New English Translation
He commanded them, “This is what you must say to my lord Esau: ‘This is what your servant¹ Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban until now.

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