Genesis 33:16
Genesis 33:16 in Multiple Translations
So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir,
¶ So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
So Esau, turning back that day, went on his way to Seir.
So Esau started on his way back to Seir that day.
So Esau returned, and went his way that same day vnto Seir.
And turn back on that day doth Esau on his way to Seir;
So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.
So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.
So Esau returned, that day, the way that he came, to Seir.
So on that day Esau left to return to Seir.
So that same day, Esau left that place, and he went south to go back home to Seir.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 33:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 33:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּשָׁב֩
בַּ/יּ֨וֹם
הַ/ה֥וּא
עֵשָׂ֛ו
לְ/דַרְכּ֖/וֹ
שֵׂעִֽירָ/ה
וַ/יָּשָׁב֩
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/יּ֨וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
הַ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
עֵשָׂ֛ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
Esau
N-proper
לְ/דַרְכּ֖/וֹ
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cs | Suff
שֵׂעִֽירָ/ה
Sêʻîyr
H8165
Seir
N-proper | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 33:16
וַ/יָּשָׁב֩
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
בַּ/יּ֨וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עֵשָׂ֛ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
"Esau"
N-proper
Esau was the son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, and his name means 'hairy'. He sold his birthright to Jacob and lost the divine blessing, as told in Genesis 25:29-34, and became the ancestor of the Arab peoples.
Definition: § Esau = "hairy" eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: Esau. See also: Genesis 25:25; Genesis 33:9; Jeremiah 49:8.
לְ/דַרְכּ֖/וֹ
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
שֵׂעִֽירָ/ה
Sêʻîyr
H8165
"Seir"
N-proper | Suff
Seir refers to a mountain in Idumaea and its original inhabitants, with the name meaning hairy or shaggy, as seen in Genesis 32:3 and Deuteronomy 2:1.
Definition: § Seir = "hairy" or "shaggy" patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Seir. See also: Genesis 14:6; Deuteronomy 33:2; Isaiah 21:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 33:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob Meets Esau
14Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”
15“Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”
16So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir,
17but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth. 18After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city.Genesis 33:16 Summary
[This verse tells us that Esau went back to his home in Seir after meeting with his brother Jacob, as Jacob had planned to follow him there at a slower pace, as mentioned in Genesis 33:14. This shows that even after a warm reunion, people may still choose to go their separate ways, which is a natural part of life, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Genesis 13:6-12. We can learn from Esau's decision to prioritize his own path and responsibilities, while still being open to relationships with others, and also from Jacob's request to respect Esau's boundaries and needs, as seen in Genesis 33:14-15, and other verses such as Romans 12:18, which encourages us to live at peace with everyone, if possible.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Esau return to Seir after meeting Jacob?
Esau returned to Seir because Jacob had asked to follow him there, but at a slower pace, as mentioned in Genesis 33:14, allowing Esau to go ahead and return home first, as seen in Genesis 33:16.
What can we learn from Esau's decision to return to Seir?
We can learn that even in situations where reconciliation or meetings occur, individuals may still choose to go their separate ways, as Esau did in Genesis 33:16, and this can be a natural part of life, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Genesis 13:6-12.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Jacob and Esau?
This verse marks a turning point in the story of Jacob and Esau, as they have reunited after many years, and Esau's return to Seir signifies a new chapter in their lives, with Jacob continuing on to Succoth, as mentioned in Genesis 33:17, and eventually settling in the land of Canaan, as seen in Genesis 33:18.
What does Esau's return to Seir indicate about his character?
Esau's return to Seir may indicate that, despite his warm reception of Jacob in Genesis 33:4, he still maintains his own identity and priorities, choosing to return to his home and family, as seen in Genesis 33:16, rather than staying with Jacob or altering his plans significantly.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to part ways with someone, and how did I feel about it?
- How can I, like Esau, prioritize my own path and responsibilities, while still being open to reconciliation and relationships with others?
- What can I learn from Jacob's request to follow Esau to Seir at a slower pace, in terms of respecting the boundaries and needs of others?
- In what ways can I, like Jacob and Esau, find ways to peacefully coexist and respect each other's differences, even if we are not in close proximity or constant contact?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 33:16
So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. Took his leave of Jacob the same day he met him, and proceeded on in his journey towards Seir; whether he arrived there the same day is not certain,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 33:16
So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 33:16
Genesis 33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.Ver. 16. On his way unto Seir.] Whither God had sent him beforehand to plant, out of Jacob’ s way. He was grown rich, desired liberty, and saw that his wives were offensive to the old couple; therefore he moved his dwelling to mount Seir, and left better room for Jacob; who, perhaps, had intelligence thereof from his mother, by Deborah, and so was the rather willing to return.