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Genesis 33 · a question people ask

Isaac's blessing said Jacob's brothers would bow to him. Why does Jacob bow to Esau?

In the text

Genesis doesn't explain. Isaac had said to Jacob, "Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you" (27:29). Here Jacob "bowed himself to the ground seven times" to Esau (33:3), calls him "my lord" (33:8, 13-14) and himself "your servant" (33:5) and "his servant" (33:14). The chapter records these words and actions without comment.

The verses

“Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.””
Genesis 27:29 · World English Bible
“He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.”
Genesis 33:3 · World English Bible
“He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.””
Genesis 33:5 · World English Bible
“Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.””
Genesis 33:8 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 33

Genesis 33: Esau ran to meet him

Jacob bowed seven times, and Esau ran, embraced him and wept. Jacob told his brother the children were God's gracious gift, and pressed on him a gift he called, in Hebrew, "my blessing", the very word Esau had used for what Jacob took from him. He settled at Shechem, bought land and built an altar called El Elohe Israel, literally "God, God of Israel".

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions