Genesis 32:4-13

Complete Jewish Bible

Parashah 8: Vayishlach (He sent) 32:4(3) –36:43

⁴⁽³⁾Ya‘akov sent messengers ahead of him to ‘Esav his brother toward the land of Se‘ir, the country of Edom, ⁵⁽⁴⁾with these instructions: “Here is what you are to say to my lord ‘Esav: ‘Your servant Ya‘akov says, “I have been living with Lavan and have stayed until now. ⁶⁽⁵⁾I have cattle, donkeys and flocks, and male and female servants. I am sending to tell this news to my lord, in order to win your favor.” ’” ⁷⁽⁶⁾The messengers returned to Ya‘akov saying, “We went to your brother ‘Esav, and he is coming to meet you; with him are four hundred men.”

⁸⁽⁷⁾Ya‘akov became greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people, flocks, cattle and camels with him into two camps, ⁹⁽⁸⁾saying, “If ‘Esav comes to the one camp and attacks it, at least the camp that is left will escape.” ¹⁰⁽⁹⁾Then Ya‘akov said, “God of my father Avraham and God of my father Yitz’chak, Adonai, who told me, ‘Return to your country and your kinsmen, and I will do you good’: ¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾I’m not worthy of all the love and faithfulness you have shown your servant, since I crossed the Yarden with only my staff. But now I have become two camps. ¹²⁽¹¹⁾Please! Rescue me from my brother ‘Esav! I’m afraid of him, afraid he’ll come and attack me, without regard for mothers or children. ¹³⁽¹²⁾You said, ‘I will certainly do you good and make your descendants as numerous as the grains of sand by the sea, which are so many they can’t be counted.’”