Teks -- Genesis 33:3 (NET)

33:3 But Jacob himself went on ahead of them, and he bowed toward the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Gen 33:3 - He bowed

Though he feared Esau as an enemy, yet he did obeisance to him as an elder brother.

JFB: Gen 33:3 - he bowed himself . . . seven times

The manner of doing this is by looking towards a superior and bowing with the upper part of the body brought parallel to the ground, then advancing a few steps and bowing again, and repeating his obeisance till, at the seventh time, the suppliant stands in the immediate presence of his superior. The members of his family did the same. This was a token of profound respect, and, though very marked, it would appear natural; for Esau being the elder brother, was, according to the custom of the East, entitled to respectful treatment from his younger brother. His attendants would be struck by it, and according to Eastern habits, would magnify it in the hearing of their master.

Calvin: Gen 33:3 - And bowed himself to the ground seven times

3.And bowed himself to the ground seven times. This, indeed, he might do for the sake of giving honor: for we know that the people of the east are addicted to far more ceremonies than are in use with us. To me, however, it seems more probable, that Jacob did not pay this honor simply to his brother, but that he worshipped God, partly to give him thanks, and partly to implore him to render his brother propitious; for he is said to have bowed down seven times before he approached his brother. Therefore, before he came in sight of his brother, he had already given the token of reverence or worship. Hence we may conjecture, as I have said, that this homage was paid to God and not to man: yet this is not at variance with the fact, that he also approached as a suppliant, for the purpose of assuaging his brother’s ferocity by his humiliation. ¹¹² If any one object, that in this manner he depreciated his right of primogeniture; the answer is easy, that the holy man, by the eyes of faith, was looking higher; for he knew that the effect of the benediction was deferred to its proper season, and was, therefore, now like the decaying seed under the earth. Therefore, although he was despoiled of his patrimony, and lay contemptible at his brother’s feet; yet since he knew that his birthright was secured to him, he was contented with this latent right, counted honors and riches as nothing, and did not shrink from being regarded as an inferior in the presence of his brother.

TSK: Gen 33:3 - passed // bowed // seven times

passed : Joh 10:4, Joh 10:11, Joh 10:12, Joh 10:15

bowed : Gen 18:2, Gen 42:6, Gen 43:26; Pro 6:3; Ecc 10:4; Luk 14:11

seven times : 1Sa 2:5

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Gen 33:3 - He passed over before them

He passed over before them exposing himself to the first and greatest hazard for the security of his wives and children.

Haydock: Gen 33:3 - Forward // Seven times

Forward, before his family; like a good father, exposing himself to the greatest danger. (Menochius) ---

Seven times, to testify his great humility and respect for his brother. How, then, can any one find fault with Catholics, if they bow down before the cross thrice on Good Friday, to testify their great veneration for their expiring Lord?

Gill: Gen 33:3 - And he passed over before them // and bowed himself to the ground seven times // until he came near to his brother

And he passed over before them,.... At the head of them, as the master of the family, exposing himself to the greatest danger for them, and in order to protect and defend them in the best manner he could, or to endeavour to soften the mind of his brother by an address, should there be any occasion for it:

and bowed himself to the ground seven times; in a civil way, as was the manner in the eastern countries towards great personages; and this he did to Esau as being his elder brother, and as superior to him in grandeur and wealth, being lord of a considerable country; and at the same time religious adoration might be made to God; while he thus bowed to the ground, his heart might be going up to God in prayer, that he would appear for him at this instant, and deliver him and his family from perishing by his brother; and so the Targum of Jonathan introduces this clause,"praying, and asking mercies of the Lord, and bowed, &c.''seven times, perhaps, may not design an exact number, but that he bowed many times as he came along:

until he came near to his brother; he kept bowing all the way he came until they were within a small space of one another.