Genesis 33:13
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jacob explains that his children and animals are fragile and tired, and asks Esau to go on ahead so they can travel at their own pace.
Context
Jacob politely declined Esau's offer to travel together at the same pace. He explained that his children were young and tender, and that his flocks and herds included nursing animals that required careful handling. If driven too hard for even one day, all the animals might die from the stress and exertion.
What Does Genesis 33:13 Mean?
Jacob politely declined Esau's offer to travel together at the same pace. He explained that his children were young and tender, and that his flocks and herds included nursing animals that required careful handling. If driven too hard for even one day, all the animals might die from the stress and exertion.
Jacob's response was practical but also revealed the vulnerability of his caravan. His large household was not a swift-moving military force but a slow-moving family with young children and pregnant animals, requiring careful pacing and rest. By explaining these constraints to Esau, Jacob was asking for permission to follow his own route and speed while honoring the reunion they had just achieved.