Definition: And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose [art] thou? and whither goest thou? and whose [are] these before thee?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 32:17. It's a really fascinating story about Jacob (later known as Israel) and his brother Esau. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: Jacob is having a huge argument with God. In this passage, Jacob is deeply upset because God has chosen Esau to be his future heir – meaning he will become the patriarch of many branches of the Jewish family line. Jacob wants to be chosen as the next leader too. God asks a series of questions. God isn’t just giving him a simple answer; He’s testing Jacob and forcing him to confront his own identity and position in relation to Him. What it Means – A Breakdown: The verse translates roughly to: “And he commanded, ‘When Esau meets you, and asks you, ‘Who are you?’ and where do you go? And whose are these before you?’” Let’s unpack that a little: "He commanded..." : This indicates that this wasn't just a casual question. It was a serious challenge from God. "...Esau meets you..." : This refers to Esau, Jacob’s older brother. "...and asks you..." : This is the core of the problem. Esau is seeking to understand who Jacob is and what he's doing. "...Who are you?" : This is a crucial question. It’s about identifying himself – his lineage and his place in the family. "...and where do you go?" : This asks about Jacob’s journey and purpose. It suggests he has a destination or something he's striving for. "...and whose are these before you?" : This is a provocative question that highlights Jacob’s ambition and desire to be considered the most important figure. He's asking, “Who is more significant than me?” The Significance: This passage is incredibly significant because it demonstrates: Jacob's struggle with divine will: He was trying to defy God’s plan for his family. God’s control and testing: He was being put through a test of faith – showing that he would eventually submit to God’s authority. The beginning of a crucial covenant: This event sets the stage for the entire story of the Genesis account, where Jacob will ultimately become Israel’s father, and thus the foundation of the Jewish people. In short, this verse is about a moment of intense conflict between two brothers, where God challenges Jacob to reveal his true identity and place in the world. Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific element (like the meaning of ‘whose are these’)?