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 32:5KJV
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Genesis 32:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 32:5 mean?

Genesis 32:5 records Jacob telling his brother Esau that he has oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female servants, and that he is sending this message to find favor in Esau’s eyes. Jacob is trying to show respect and goodwill, hoping Esau will welcome him kindly.

Jacob is speaking to Esau through messengers as he prepares to meet him after many years apart. Jacob lists his possessions to demonstrate that he is not coming as a threat or to take anything from Esau. By calling Esau “my lord” and seeking “grace” (favor), Jacob is humbling himself and hoping to ease any tension from their past conflict.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 32:5

  • “Grace” (חֵן, chen): This word means favor or kindness. Jacob is not just asking for forgiveness, but for Esau’s goodwill and acceptance, showing a desire for restored relationship.
  • “Lord” (אֲדֹנִי, adoni): Jacob addresses Esau with a title of respect, which is striking since Jacob had received the blessing meant for the “lord” of the family. This shows humility and a reversal of their earlier rivalry.
  • “Find” (מָצָא, matsa): This word often means to encounter or obtain. Jacob is actively seeking Esau’s favor, not just passively hoping for it.

Why Genesis 32:5 matters

  • Genesis 32:5 shows Jacob’s careful approach to reconciling with Esau, highlighting humility and respect after years of estrangement.
  • The verse clarifies that Jacob is not coming to claim anything from Esau, but is instead offering peace and goodwill, which helps explain Esau’s later reaction.
  • The language Jacob uses connects to earlier family tensions, making his respectful tone and request for favor especially meaningful in the story’s context.

Where else these words appear

“womenservants” Hebrew H8198 · used in 58 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.
  • Genesis 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
  • 2 Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

“grace” Hebrew H2580 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
  • Numbers 11:15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
  • Esther 8:5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

“oxen” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Leviticus 22:23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
  • Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 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 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.