Genesis 32:6

Authorized King James Version

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙
returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים
And the messengers
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#3
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יַעֲקֹ֖ב
to Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#5
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
בָּ֤אנוּ
We came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
to thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
עֵשָׂ֔ו
Esau
esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity
#11
וְגַם֙
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#12
הֹלֵ֣ךְ
and also he cometh
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#13
לִקְרָֽאתְךָ֔
to meet thee
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#14
וְאַרְבַּע
four
#15
מֵא֥וֹת
and four hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#16
אִ֖ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#17
עִמּֽוֹ׃
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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