Thematic Bible

Genesis 33:1

Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. Therefore he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two concubines.

Genesis 33:2

He put the concubines and their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

Genesis 33:3

Jacob went ahead of them. He bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

Genesis 33:4

Esau ran to meet him. He threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They both cried.

Genesis 33:5

Esau looked around and saw the women and the children. He asked: Who are these people with you? Jacob answered: These are the children whom God has been good enough to give me.

Genesis 33:6

Then the concubines came up with their children and bowed down.

Genesis 33:7

Leah and her children came next, and last of all Joseph and Rachel came and bowed down.

Genesis 33:8

Esau asked: What about that other group I met? What do you mean by all this company? Jacob answered: It was to gain your favor.

Genesis 33:9

But, brother, I already have plenty, Esau replied. Keep them for yourself.

Genesis 33:10

Jacob said: Please accept these gifts as a sign of your friendship for me. When you welcomed me and I saw your face, it was like seeing the face of God.

Genesis 33:11

Take my offering then, with my blessing. God has been very good to me and I have enough. So at his strong request, he took it.

Genesis 33:12

Esau said: Let us go on our journey together. I will go in front.

Genesis 33:13

Jacob responded: My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds that are nursing are a care to me. If they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die.

Genesis 33:14

Please let my lord pass on before his servant. I will proceed at my leisure, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.

Genesis 33:15

Esau said: Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me. But he said: What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.

Genesis 33:16

So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

Genesis 33:17

Jacob moved on to Succoth. He built a house there for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is named Succoth.

Genesis 33:18

Jacob traveled safely from Paddan-aram to the city of Shechem in Canaan. He camped within sight of the city.

Genesis 33:19

He bought the piece of land on which he pitched his tents. He bought it from the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for one hundred pieces of silver.

Genesis 33:20

He set up an altar there and named it God, the God of Israel.