Genesis 33:10

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יַֽעֲקֹ֗ב

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָא֙

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָ֨א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מָצָ֤אתִי

H4672

Nay I pray thee if now I have found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵן֙

H2580

grace

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ

H5869

in thy sight

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#10

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥

H3947

then receive

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#11

מִנְחָתִ֖י

H4503

my present

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

#12

מִיָּדִ֑י

H3027

at my hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#13

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#15

כֵּ֞ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#16

כִּרְאֹ֛ת

H7200

as though I had seen

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#17

פְּנֵ֥י

H6440

the face

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#18

כִּרְאֹ֛ת

H7200

as though I had seen

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#19

פְּנֵ֥י

H6440

the face

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#20

אֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#21

וַתִּרְצֵֽנִי׃

H7521

and thou wast pleased with me

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing grace relates to the doctrine of soteriology and God's unmerited favor in salvation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of Genesis Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes grace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding grace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about divine love?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from covenant faithfulness to sacrificial love demonstrated in Christ, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of divine love, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology proper and the doctrine of God?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Biblical Timeline