Jacob Sends Messengers to Esau and the Trampled Spring

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayishlach 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Gen. 32:4:) "And Jacob sent messengers." This is what Scripture says (Prov. 25:26): "A trampled spring and a corrupted source — a righteous one tottering before a wicked one." Rabbi Yehudah son of Rabbi Simon said: Like a trampled spring and like a corrupted source, so it is when a righteous one totters before a wicked one. Another interpretation: It is possible for a spring to be trampled and for a source to be corrupted; it is possible for a righteous one to totter before a wicked one. And who is this? This is Jacob, when he came from Paddan-aram. What does he do? He sends and says to Esau (Gen. 32:5): "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau," etc. Hence (Gen. 32:4): "And Jacob sent messengers," etc.

Themes

JacobPatriarchsConversionSinRighteousness

Biblical References

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