Definition: And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob [is] behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 32:20. It's a really important and fascinating passage in the Bible! Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: This verse comes after Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, is being whipped by his brothers for a prank. They want to take Jacob's blessing (a gift of favor) away from him. So, they separate him and his family, and then, incredibly, Joseph discovers that Jacob is behind them! Let’s unpack it: “And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob [is] behind us.” – This part is a little tricky to translate directly. "Thee servant" is a way of saying “Jacob” - it's referring to the man who was whipped. “Behold” means “look at me” or “see me." So, Joseph is telling us that he’s seen Jacob! “For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.” – This is the most complex part. It means: "I will appease him..." : Joseph is saying, "I'm going to give Jacob something good." He wants to make things right with him. "...with the present that goeth before me..." : This is a metaphor. “Present” refers to something he’s bringing – perhaps food or a gift. It means he's bringing a gift before he sees his face. "...and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.” : This is the key part. He's hoping that seeing Jacob’s face (maybe a smile, or a moment of recognition) will make him willing to accept this gift. It’s a gamble – it's an act of hope and trust! What does this verse tell us about Joseph? Joseph's Skill: This is a powerful illustration of Joseph's abilities. He was able to see (or at least, be aware) of something that others didn’t. Faith and Hope: It shows that even in the face of betrayal and hardship, Joseph had faith and hoped for a positive outcome – a chance to reconcile with his brother. In essence, this verse is a story about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the power of hope. It's a moment where a seemingly difficult situation can be transformed into something hopeful through a gesture of kindness. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the Genesis 32 story? Discuss the significance of Joseph’s role in this narrative? Give you some broader context about the story's meaning?