The Meaning of Genesis 32:3 Explained

Genesis 32:3

KJV: And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

YLT: And Jacob sendeth messengers before him unto Esau his brother, towards the land of Seir, the field of Edom,

Darby: And Jacob sent messengers before his face to Esau his brother, into the land of Seir, the fields of Edom.

ASV: And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Jacob  sent  messengers  before him  to Esau  his brother  unto the land  of Seir,  the country  of Edom. 

What does Genesis 32:3 Mean?

Study Notes

Edom
i.e. Esau's country. Genesis 25:30 .
Edom (called also "Seir,") Genesis 32:3 ; Genesis 36:8 is the name of the country lying south of the ancient kingdom of Judah, and extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Akaba. It includes the ruins of Petra, and is bounded on the north by Moab. Peopled by descendants of Esau Genesis 36:1-9 . Edom has a remarkable prominence in the prophetic word as (together with Moab) the scene of the final destruction of Gentile world-power in the day of the Lord. See "Armageddon"; Revelation 16:14 ; Revelation 19:21 and "Times of the Gentiles"; Luke 21:24 ; Revelation 16:14 . Cf.; Psalms 137:7 ; Obadiah 1:8-16 ; Isaiah 34:1-8 ; Isaiah 63:1-6 ; Jeremiah 49:14-22 ; Ezekiel 25:12-14 .

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 32:3 mean?

And sent Jacob messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir the country of Edom
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יַעֲקֹ֤ב מַלְאָכִים֙ לְפָנָ֔יו אֶל־ עֵשָׂ֖ו אָחִ֑יו אַ֥רְצָה שֵׂעִ֖יר שְׂדֵ֥ה אֱדֽוֹם

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח  And  sent 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יַעֲקֹ֤ב  Jacob 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
מַלְאָכִים֙  messengers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַלְאָךְ  
Sense: messenger, representative.
לְפָנָ֔יו  before  him 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
עֵשָׂ֖ו  Esau 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵשָׂו  
Sense: eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples.
אָחִ֑יו  his  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
אַ֥רְצָה  in  the  land 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
שֵׂעִ֖יר  of  Seir 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֵׂעִיר 
Sense: patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites.
שְׂדֵ֥ה  the  country 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שָׂדֶה 
Sense: field, land.
אֱדֽוֹם  of  Edom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱדֹום 
Sense: Edom.