King James Version

What Does Genesis 32:19 Mean?

Genesis 32:19 in the King James Version says “And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak u...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.”

Genesis 32:19 · KJV

Context

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.

19

And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

20

And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. of me: Heb. my face

21

So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

Read Genesis 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this man... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיְצַ֞ו1 of 21

“commanded he”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

גַּ֚ם2 of 21

“And so”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת3 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשֵּׁנִ֗י4 of 21

“the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

גַּ֚ם5 of 21

“And so”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת6 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י7 of 21

“and the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

גַּ֚ם8 of 21

“And so”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת9 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל10 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַהֹ֣לְכִ֔ים11 of 21

“and all that followed”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵ֥י12 of 21
H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הָֽעֲדָרִ֖ים13 of 21

“the droves”

H5739

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר14 of 21

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כַּדָּבָ֤ר15 of 21

“On this manner”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּה֙16 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תְּדַבְּר֣וּן17 of 21

“shall ye speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל18 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵשָׂ֔ו19 of 21

“unto Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

בְּמֹצַֽאֲכֶ֖ם20 of 21

“when ye find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֹתֽוֹ׃21 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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 32:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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