The Meaning of Genesis 32:5 Explained

Genesis 32:5

KJV: 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.

YLT: and I have ox, and ass, flock, and man-servant, and maid-servant, and I send to declare to my lord, to find grace in his eyes.'

Darby: and I have oxen, and asses, sheep, and bondmen, and bondwomen; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in thine eyes.

ASV: and I have oxen, and asses, and flocks, and men-servants, and maid-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Genesis 32:5 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 32:5 mean?

And have I oxen and donkeys flocks and menservants and maidservants and I have sent to tell my lord that I may find favor in your sight
וַֽיְהִי־ לִי֙ שׁ֣וֹר וַחֲמ֔וֹר צֹ֖אן וְעֶ֣בֶד וְשִׁפְחָ֑ה וָֽאֶשְׁלְחָה֙ לְהַגִּ֣יד לַֽאדֹנִ֔י לִמְצֹא־ חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ

וַֽיְהִי־  And  have 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
שׁ֣וֹר  oxen 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֹׁור  
Sense: ox, bull, a head of cattle.
וַחֲמ֔וֹר  and  donkeys 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֲמֹור 
Sense: (he)ass.
צֹ֖אן  flocks 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: צֹאן  
Sense: small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks.
וְעֶ֣בֶד  and  menservants 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
וְשִׁפְחָ֑ה  and  maidservants 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: שִׁפְחָה  
Sense: maid, maid-servant, slavegirl.
וָֽאֶשְׁלְחָה֙  and  I  have  sent 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, first person common singular, third person feminine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
לְהַגִּ֣יד  to  tell 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
לַֽאדֹנִ֔י  my  lord 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
לִמְצֹא־  that  I  may  find 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
חֵ֖ן  favor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֵן  
Sense: favour, grace, charm.
בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ  in  your  sight 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.