King James Version

What Does Genesis 32:5 Mean?

Genesis 32:5 in the King James Version says “And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.”

Genesis 32:5 · KJV

Grace

Context

3

And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. country: Heb. field

4

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:

5

And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

6

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

7

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

Read Genesis 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my l... 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 understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַֽיְהִי1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִי֙2 of 13
H0
שׁ֣וֹר3 of 13

“And I have oxen”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

וַֽחֲמ֔וֹר4 of 13

“and asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

צֹ֖אן5 of 13

“flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וְעֶ֣בֶד6 of 13

“and menservants”

H5650

a servant

וְשִׁפְחָ֑ה7 of 13

“and womenservants”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וָֽאֶשְׁלְחָה֙8 of 13

“and I have sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְהַגִּ֣יד9 of 13

“to tell”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לַֽאדֹנִ֔י10 of 13

“my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

לִמְצֹא11 of 13

“that I may 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

חֵ֖ן12 of 13

“grace”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃13 of 13

“in thy sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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 32:5 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 32:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 33:8Genesis 33:15Ruth 2:2Genesis 47:25Genesis 33:112 Samuel 16:4

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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