King James Version

What Does Genesis 32:20 Mean?

Genesis 32:20 in the King James Version says “And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 32:20 · KJV

Context

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.

22

And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

Read Genesis 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with th... 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 theological truths about Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אָמַ֞ר1 of 20

“And say ye”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

גַּ֗ם2 of 20

“moreover”

H1571

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

הִנֵּ֛ה3 of 20
H2009

lo!

עַבְדְּךָ֥4 of 20

“Behold thy servant”

H5650

a servant

יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב5 of 20

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְאַֽחֲרֵי6 of 20

“and afterward”

H310

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

כִּֽי7 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָמַ֞ר8 of 20

“And say ye”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲכַפְּרָ֣ה9 of 20

“I will appease”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

פָנָֽי׃10 of 20

“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

בַּמִּנְחָה֙11 of 20

“with the present”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַֽהֹלֶ֣כֶת12 of 20

“that goeth”

H1980

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

פָנָֽי׃13 of 20

“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

וְאַֽחֲרֵי14 of 20

“and afterward”

H310

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

כֵן֙15 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אֶרְאֶ֣ה16 of 20

“I will see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פָנָֽי׃17 of 20

“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

אוּלַ֖י18 of 20
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יִשָּׂ֥א19 of 20

“peradventure he will accept”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פָנָֽי׃20 of 20

“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

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 32:20 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 32:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 42:8-9Proverbs 21:141 Samuel 25:17-35Genesis 43:111 Kings 20:31Proverbs 16:14

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