King James Version

What Does Genesis 32:16 Mean?

Genesis 32:16 in the King James Version says “And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over be...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.”

Genesis 32:16 · KJV

Salvation

Context

14

Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

15

Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

16

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

17

And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

18

Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

Read Genesis 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his se... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּתֵּן֙1 of 17

“And he delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַד2 of 17

“them into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲבָדָיו֙3 of 17

“of his servants”

H5650

a servant

עֵֽדֶר׃4 of 17

“drove”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

עֵֽדֶר׃5 of 17

“drove”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

לְבַדּ֑וֹ6 of 17
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

וַ֤יֹּאמֶר7 of 17

“by themselves and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל8 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲבָדָיו֙9 of 17

“of his servants”

H5650

a servant

עִבְר֣וּ10 of 17

“Pass over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לְפָנַ֔י11 of 17

“before me”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְרֶ֣וַח12 of 17

“a space”

H7305

room, literally (an interval) or figuratively (deliverance)

תָּשִׂ֔ימוּ13 of 17

“and put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

וּבֵ֥ין14 of 17

“and”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֵֽדֶר׃15 of 17

“drove”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

וּבֵ֥ין16 of 17

“and”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֵֽדֶר׃17 of 17

“drove”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 32:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 32:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 28:26Proverbs 2:11Matthew 10:16Genesis 33:8-9Genesis 32:20Psalms 112:5

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