The Meaning of Genesis 32:12 Explained

Genesis 32:12

KJV: And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

YLT: and Thou -- Thou hast said, I certainly do good with thee, and have set thy seed as the sand of the sea, which is not numbered because of the multitude.'

Darby: And thou saidst, I will certainly deal well with thee, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

ASV: And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou saidst,  I will surely  do thee good,  and make  thy seed  as the sand  of the sea,  which cannot be numbered  for multitude. 

What does Genesis 32:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 32:1-12 - Jacob Fears To Meet Esau
Before we encounter our Esaus we are sure to meet God's angels. If only our eyes are not holden we shall perceive them. The world is full of angel help! There are more for us than against us! The Captain of the Lord's hosts is as near us as He was to Joshua, and His squadrons await our cry. "Thinkest thou," said our Lord, "that I cannot beseech my Father, and He shall even now send more than twelve legions of angels!" In times of trial we betake ourselves to God, and are justified in claiming His protection, so long as we can show that we are on His plan and doing His will. It was the news brought by his messengers of Esau's approach that elicited from Jacob this marvelous prayer; but his prayer did not prevent him making what plans he could for the safety of his dear ones. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 32

1  Jacob's vision at Mahanaim
3  His message to Esau
6  He is afraid of Esau's coming
9  He prays for deliverance
13  He sends a present to Esau, and passes the brook Jabbok
24  He wrestles with an angel at Peniel, where he is called Israel
31  He halts

What do the individual words in Genesis 32:12 mean?

For You said surely I will treat well you and make - your descendants like the sand of the sea which cannot be numbered for multitude
וְאַתָּ֣ה אָמַ֔רְתָּ הֵיטֵ֥ב אֵיטִ֖יב עִמָּ֑ךְ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י אֶֽת־ זַרְעֲךָ֙ כְּח֣וֹל הַיָּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ יִסָּפֵ֖ר מֵרֹֽב

וְאַתָּ֣ה  For  You 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
אָמַ֔רְתָּ  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הֵיטֵ֥ב  surely 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Infinitive absolute
Root: יָטַב  
Sense: to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad.
אֵיטִ֖יב  I  will  treat  well 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יָטַב  
Sense: to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י  and  make 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
זַרְעֲךָ֙  your  descendants 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: זֶרַע  
Sense: seed, sowing, offspring.
כְּח֣וֹל  like  the  sand 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֹול 
Sense: sand.
הַיָּ֔ם  of  the  sea 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָם  
Sense: sea.
לֹא־  cannot 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יִסָּפֵ֖ר  be  numbered 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סָפַר 
Sense: to count, recount, relate.
מֵרֹֽב  for  multitude 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֹב  
Sense: multitude, abundance, greatness.