How is seeing your face like seeing "Pnei Elokim"?
Rashi, Hadar Zekenim: It is like seeing your angel. He wanted to frighten Esav, inasmuch as if your angel could not overcome me, then certainly you will not be able to. 1
Ramban: My gift to you is like Korbanos that one brings before Hashem. And he was asking Esav to accept his gift graciously in the same way as Hashem accepts our Korbanos.
Seforno: "Elokim" refers to a king. Just as one comes before a king with a gift, so too, I come before you (whom I see as a king), with a gift. And the fact that, like a king greets his subjects, you accepted me graciously, is all the more reason for me to present you with a gift. And that you should therefore accept it.
Midrash Rabah (78:12): Pnei Elokim refers to Din - also seeing your face! Just like one does not appear before Him empty-handed, also you,, I should not see your face empty. 2
Malbim: Just like we do not appear before Hashem empty-handed, also you. People normally give gifts to great people - "Mah Navi... l'Ish ha'Elokim" (Shmuel I 9:7). This honors the giver, even if it is a small gift. However, he must give it himself - "v'Lakachta Minchasi mi'Yadi."
Ha'amek Davar: You are like a master to me.
According to the opinion that Hashem miraculously saved Yaakov from Esav's bite (refer to 33:4:2:3), it is not so clear why he needed to scare him more. (PF)
Etz Yosef: A gift is either (a) for the receiver's benefit, (b) to appease for a sin, or (c) to show humility and honor. Esav said, I have much - I do not need it! Yaakov said, the other reasons apply - I want to atone for my sin, and to show humility and honor to you like one does to Hashem. Oznayim la'Torah - the gift that I sent to you is not a bribe (which Esav was embarrassed to accept). Rather, it is like a gift that one brings to Hashem on the pilgrimage festivals.
What did Yaakov mean when he added, "va'Tirtzeini"?
Rashi: He meant, that Esav should accept his gift because it was based on Yaakov's double pleasure, (a) at seeing him (after all these years), and (b) because [Esav's angel] had forgiven Yaakov for his sin. 1
Ramban: He was simply referring to the gracious manner in which he was asking Esav to accept his gift. 2
Seforno: He was referring to the gracious manner in which Esav had greeted him. 3
Rosh: Ritzuy applies to brotherly love, e.g. "Yehi Retzuy Echav" (Devarim 33:24); "v'Ratzuy l'Rov Echav" (Esther 10:3).
Malbim: You will honor me by taking the gift from me when we see each other.
Ha'amek Davar: If you refuse it, it looks like you are not my master, or I did not appease you. I want to it to be recognized unlike both of these!
Why did Yaakov say the word "Na" twice?
Ohr ha'Chayim (to 33:9): Indeed, without the gift, it would be recognized more that you love me due to brotherhood. However, now that I already sent it, please do Chesed with me and accept it, like a gift of one who greets a great person. If you return it, it shows that you are not pleased with me!
Rashi: "Al Na!" is an independent phrase - "Please do not say to me thus!" 1
Gur Aryeh: What is Rashi explaining? Yaakov could not be asking Esav to accept the gift, by saying, '"Please do not"! Rather, this phrase stands on its own - "Please do not say that!" (The Ta'amei ha'Mikra indicate this as well - the 'Pashta' on the word "Na" is a pause (unlike the 'Kadma' on the following phrase). (CS))
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "It is worthwhile and fitting for you to accept my gift, for I have seen your face...." What is Rashi explaining?
Gur Aryeh: The beginning of the verse implies that Esav should accept the gift if Yaakov "has found favor in his eyes." The next phrase, "for I have seen your face," is an additional reason.
Rashi writes: "... And furthermore, that you were appeased, to forgive my transgression." What is Rashi adding?
Gur Aryeh: The word "va'Tirtzeni" is yet a third reason that Esav should accept the gift - for he accepted Yaakov's appeasement, and forgave him.
