King James Version

What Does Genesis 33:5 Mean?

Genesis 33:5 in the King James Version says “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The child...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. with: Heb. to thee”

Genesis 33:5 · KJV

Context

3

And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

5

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. with: Heb. to thee

6

Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.

7

And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Read Genesis 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? An... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א1 of 19

“And he lifted up”

H5375

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

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

עֵינָ֗יו3 of 19

“his eyes”

H5869

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

וַיַּ֤רְא4 of 19

“and saw”

H7200

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

אֶת5 of 19
H853

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

הַנָּשִׁים֙6 of 19

“the women”

H802

a woman

וְאֶת7 of 19
H853

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

הַיְלָדִ֕ים8 of 19

“The children”

H3206

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

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר9 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִי10 of 19
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֵ֣לֶּה11 of 19

“Who are those”

H428

these or those

לָּ֑ךְ12 of 19
H0
וַיֹּאמַ֕ר13 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַיְלָדִ֕ים14 of 19

“The children”

H3206

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

אֲשֶׁר15 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָנַ֥ן16 of 19

“hath graciously given”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

אֱלֹהִ֖ים17 of 19

“which God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת18 of 19
H853

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

עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃19 of 19

“thy servant”

H5650

a servant

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 33:5 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 33:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 127:3Isaiah 8:18Genesis 48:9Ruth 4:131 Samuel 1:27Genesis 30:2

Test Your Knowledge

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

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