Genesis 33
33
Jacob Meets Esau
1Jacob saw Esau coming with 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two slaves. 2He put the slaves and their children in front, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3He went on ahead of them and bowed seven times with his face touching the ground as he came near his brother.
4Then Esau ran to meet Jacob. Esau hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They both cried. 5When he saw the women and children, Esau asked, “Who are these people here with you?”
“The children God has graciously given me, sir,” Jacob answered.
6Then the slaves and their children came forward and bowed down. 7Likewise, Leah and her children came forward and bowed down. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down.
8Then Esau asked, “Why did you send this whole group ⌞of people and animals⌟ I met?”
He answered, “To win your favor, sir.”
9Esau said, “I have enough. Keep what you have, Brother.”
10Jacob said, “No, please take the gift I’m giving you, because I’ve seen your face as if I were seeing the face of God, and yet you welcomed me so warmly. 11Please take the present I’ve brought you, because God has been gracious to me and has given me all that I need.” So Esau took it because Jacob insisted.
12Then Esau said, “Let’s get ready to go, and I’ll go with you.”
13Jacob said to him, “Sir, you know that the children are frail and that I have to take care of the flocks and cattle that are nursing their young. If they’re driven too hard for even one day, all the flocks will die. 14Go ahead of me, sir. I will slowly and gently guide the herds that are in front of me at their pace and at the children’s pace until I come to you in Seir.”
15Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.”
“Why do that?” Jacob asked. “I only want to win your favor, sir.”
16That day Esau started back to Seir. 17But Jacob moved on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is named Succoth [Shelters].
18So having come from Paddan Aram, Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem in Canaan. He camped within sight of the city. 19Then he bought the piece of land on which he had put up his tents. He bought it from the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. 20He set up an altar there and named it God Is the God of Israel.
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Genesis 33
33
Jacob Meets Esau
1Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female slaves. 2He put the female slaves and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground # Gn 18:2; 42:6; 43:26 seven times until he approached his brother.
4But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. # Gn 45:14 5When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you? ”
He answered, “The children God has graciously given your servant.” # Gn 48:9; Ps 127:3; Is 8:18 6Then the female slaves and their children approached him and bowed down. 7Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down.
8So Esau said, “What do you mean by this whole procession # Lit camp I met? ” # Gn 32:13-16
“To find favor with you, my lord,” # Gn 32:5 he answered.
9“I have enough, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what you have.”
10But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me. 11Please take my present that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have everything I need.” So Jacob urged him until he accepted.
12Then Esau said, “Let’s move on, and I’ll go ahead of you.”
13Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and I have nursing sheep and cattle. If they are driven hard for one day, the whole herd will die. 14Let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a pace suited to the livestock and the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”
15Esau said, “Let me leave some of my people with you.”
But he replied, “Why do that? Please indulge me, # Lit May I find favor in your eyes my lord.” # Gn 34:11; 47:25; Ru 2:13
16That day Esau started on his way back to Seir, 17but Jacob went on to Succoth. He built a house for himself and stalls for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth. # = Stalls or Huts # Jos 13:27; Jdg 8:5; Ps 60:6
18After Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely # Gn 28:21 at Shechem # Jos 24:1; Jdg 9:1; Ps 60:6; Ac 7:16 in the land of Canaan and camped in front of the city. 19He purchased a section of the field where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for 100 qesitahs. # The value of this currency is unknown. # Jos 24:32; Jn 4:5 20And he set up an altar there and called it “God, the God of Israel.” # Or El-Elohe-Israel
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