Why Jacob Feared Esau and His Four Hundred Men

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayishlach 6:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Gen. 32:7 [6]:) "AND THE MESSENGERS RETURNED" etc., "WE CAME TO YOUR BROTHER, TO ESAU." What do you suppose about him? Your brother? He is Esau. (Ibid., continuing:) "AND MOREOVER HE IS COMING TO MEET YOU." He is marching all day, (ibid.:) "AND FOUR HUNDRED MEN ARE WITH HIM." What do you suppose [by] "AND FOUR HUNDRED MEN ARE WITH HIM"? Rabbi Samuel bar Nahmani said: Each and every one of them was set over four hundred men. And when Jacob heard this, what is written? (Gen. 32:8 [7]:) "AND JACOB WAS GREATLY AFRAID."

Themes

PatriarchsJacobWarHumorDeception

Biblical References

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