Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

GENESIS 32:15KJV
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Genesis 32:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 32:15 mean?

Genesis 32:15 lists part of the gifts Jacob is sending ahead to his brother Esau: thirty milk camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. The verse details the types and numbers of livestock Jacob is offering, showing the size and value of his gift.

Jacob is preparing to meet Esau after many years apart, worried about Esau’s anger from an old conflict. Jacob sends these animals as a peace offering, hoping to win Esau’s favor. The verse is part of a longer list, emphasizing how generous and carefully chosen Jacob’s gifts are in this tense reunion.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 32:15

  • "Milch" (יָנֵק, yânêq): This word refers to animals that are nursing or giving milk, here describing camels that are valuable because they can provide milk and are likely healthy breeders.
  • "Kine" (פָּרָה, pārah): This is the Hebrew word for cows, specifically female cattle, highlighting that Jacob’s gift includes animals useful for both milk and future herds.
  • "Asses" (חֲמוֹר, chamor): This word means donkeys, and the verse distinguishes between female (she asses) and male (foals), showing attention to breeding and usefulness.

Why Genesis 32:15 matters

  • The verse shows Jacob’s careful planning and the seriousness of his attempt to reconcile with Esau by sending a large, valuable, and diverse group of animals.
  • Listing the specific animals and their numbers highlights the wealth Jacob has gained and his willingness to part with it to make peace.
  • This detailed inventory connects to the larger story of Jacob’s fear, humility, and strategy as he prepares for a potentially dangerous family encounter.

Where else these words appear

“foals” Hebrew H5895 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“kine” Hebrew H6510 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
  • Genesis 41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
  • 1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:

“asses” Hebrew H860 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
  • 1 Samuel 10:14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

“milch” Hebrew H3243 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 21:7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
  • 1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
  • Isaiah 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.