King James Version

What Does Genesis 33:13 Mean?

Genesis 33:13 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.”

Genesis 33:13 · KJV

Context

11

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. enough: Heb. all things

12

And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.

13

And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

14

Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. according: Heb. according to the foot of the work, etc., and according to the foot of the children

15

And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. leave: Heb. set, or, place What: Heb. Wherefore is this?

Read Genesis 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with yo... 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. How should this truth about Shechem Settlement shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנִ֤י3 of 17

“unto him My lord”

H113

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

יֹדֵ֙עַ֙4 of 17

“knoweth”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי5 of 17
H3588

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

הַיְלָדִ֣ים6 of 17

“that the children”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

רַכִּ֔ים7 of 17

“are tender”

H7390

tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak

הַצֹּֽאן׃8 of 17

“all the flock”

H6629

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

וְהַבָּקָ֖ר9 of 17

“and herds”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

עָל֣וֹת10 of 17

“with young”

H5763

to suckle, i.e., give milk

עָלָ֑י11 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּדְפָקוּם֙12 of 17

“are with me and if men should overdrive”

H1849

to knock; by analogy, to press severely

י֣וֹם13 of 17

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָ֔ד14 of 17

“them one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וָמֵ֖תוּ15 of 17

“will die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כָּל16 of 17
H3605

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

הַצֹּֽאן׃17 of 17

“all the flock”

H6629

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

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 33:13 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 33:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 40:11Ezekiel 34:15-161 Chronicles 22:5Proverbs 12:10Ezekiel 34:23-25John 21:15-17

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 33 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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