King James Version
Genesis 32:6 in the King James Version says “And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hun...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Genesis 32:6 · KJV
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:
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.
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.
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;
And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“returned”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
“And the messengers”
H4397a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
“to thy brother”
H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
“and also he cometh”
H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
“to meet thee”
H7125an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
“men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
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.
Genesis 32:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge