And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Jacob walked ahead of his family and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
Jacob is showing deep respect and humility to his brother Esau by bowing seven times as he approaches him.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Jacob is returning to his homeland after years of exile, having previously deceived his brother Esau by taking his birthright and blessing, which led to their separation. As Jacob approaches Esau with fear of retribution, he sends his family and gifts ahead and then goes before them, bowing seven times as an ancient custom of deep respect and submission in Middle Eastern cultures. This act occurs shortly after Jacob's transformative encounter with God, where he was renamed Israel, symbolizing his new humility and dependence on God.
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