In the conversation of verses 9-10 the meaning is not always what is literally stated. The offering and eventual acceptance of a gift is a situation in which people say what politeness and convention requires rather than what they really feel. In a context like this it is always important to make the form of words fit what is required in the translator’s own culture.

But Esau said: But serves in English to indicate that Esau’s response is not an acceptance of what Jacob has offered. It also contrasts Jacob’s gifts with Esau’s sufficiency.

I have enough, my brother: enough means “enough animals, herds.” Notice how Esau addresses Jacob as my brother, while Jacob continues to grovel and call Esau “my lord.”

Keep what you have for yourself: Jacob knows that Esau’s refusal is Middle Eastern politeness and that he will have to urge Esau to accept. In many cultures to accept a gift too quickly is to admit poverty or greed. See the negotiations between Abraham and the Hittites in chapter 23.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .