Thematic Bible

Genesis 33:1

Now 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.

Genesis 33:2

He put the female slaves and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.

Genesis 33:3

He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.

Genesis 33:4

But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept.

Genesis 33:5

When 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.”

Genesis 33:6

Then the female slaves and their children approached him and bowed down.

Genesis 33:7

Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down.

Genesis 33:8

So Esau said, “What do you mean by this whole procession I met?”

“To find favor with you, my lord,” he answered.

Genesis 33:9

“I have enough, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what you have.”

Genesis 33:10

But 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.

Genesis 33:11

Please 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.

Genesis 33:12

Then Esau said, “Let’s move on, and I’ll go ahead of you.”

Genesis 33:13

Jacob 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.

Genesis 33:14

Let 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.”

Genesis 33:15

Esau said, “Let me leave some of my people with you.”

But he replied, “Why do that? Please indulge me, my lord.”

Genesis 33:16

That day Esau started on his way back to Seir,

Genesis 33:17

but Jacob went on to Succoth. He built a house for himself and stalls for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth.

Genesis 33:18

After Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at Shechem in the land of Canaan and camped in front of the city.

Genesis 33:19

He purchased a section of the field where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for 100 qesitahs.

Genesis 33:20

And he set up an altar there and called it “God, the God of Israel.”