him as the elder, with the feeling that he had formerly sinned against him. Esau, on the other hand, “had a comparatively better, but not so tender a conscience.” At the sight of Jacob he was carried away by the natural feelings of brotherly affection, and running up to him, embraced him, fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they both wept. The puncta extraordinaria above ישּׁקהוּ are probably intended to mark the word as suspicious. They “are like a note of interrogation, questioning the genuineness of this kiss; but without any reason” ( Del.). Even if there was still some malice in Esau's heart, it was overcome by the humility with which his brother met him, so that he allowed free course to the generous emotions of his heart; all the more, because the “roving life” which suited his nature had procured him such wealth and power, that he was quite equal to his brother in earthly possessions.
verses 5-7
When his eyes fell upon the women and children, he inquired respecting them, “ Whom hast thou here?” And Jacob replied, “ The children with whom Elohim hath favoured me.” Upon this, the mothers and their children approached in order, making reverential obeisance. חנן with double acc. “graciously to present.” Elohim: “to avoid reminding Esau of the blessing of Jehovah, which had occasioned his absence” ( Del.).
verses 8-9
And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
Esau then inquired about the camp that had met him, i.e., the presents of cattle that were sent to meet him, and refused to accept them, until Jacob's urgent persuasion eventually induced him to do so.
Verse 10
“ For therefore,” sc., to be able to offer thee this present, “ have I come to see thy face, as man seeth the face of God, and thou hast received me favourably.” The thought is this: In thy countenance I have been met with divine (heavenly) friendliness (cf. 1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 14:17). Jacob might say this without cringing, since he “must have discerned the work of God in the unexpected change in his brother's disposition towards him, and in his brother's friendliness a reflection of this divine.”
Verse 11
Blessing: i.e., the present, expressive of his desire to bless, as in 1Sa 25:27; 1Sa 30:26. הבאת: for הבאה, as in Deu 31:29; Isa 7:14, etc.; sometimes also in verbs הל, Lev 25:21; Lev 26:34. כל ישׁ־לי: “ I have all” (not all kinds of things); viz as the heir of the divine promise.
verses 12-15
Lastly, Esau proposed to accompany Jacob on his journey. But Jacob politely declined not only his own
