Genesis 33

Jacob having marshaled his wives and children Goethe to meet his brother verse 1 &c. who demeans himself courteously to him and his wives and his children 4 and after the civil refusal and reply dot accept of Jacobs presents parting thus in a friendly manner 8 Jacob comes to Succoth and from thence Sichem where he pitched his tents and builts an altar to the Lord 17.

1. And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked and behold Esau came and four hundred men with him than he divided the children under Leah and under Rachel and under two maidservants.

2. And he put the maid-servants and their children before and Leah and her children were behind but Rachel and Joseph were hindmost [the best beloved he placeth hindmost and lastest that if the foremost were hurt they might escape yet in some sort see above chapter 32.7,8.]

3. And he past on before their face and he bowed himself [see above chapter 18 verse 2] seven times [that is several times a certain number for an uncertain see Leviticus 26 on verse 8] down to the ground until he came to his brother.

4. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell upon his neck and kissed him [see above chapter 29 on verse 11] and they wept [this often happen at the meeting of the friend as here and above chapter 29.11 and below chapter 43.30 an d46.29 or at parting Ruth 1:14 Acts 20:37.]

5. After that he lifted up his eyes and saw the wives and the children and said who these by thee are? And he said the children whom God graciously bestowed upon thy servant.

6. Then the maid servant drew near they and their children and they bowed themselves down.

7. And Leah too came on with her children and they bowed down themselves and after that Joseph slept on [others he was made and bid to approach being but about six years of ages at this time] and Rachel bowed down them.

8. And he said for whom is all this host to thee that I met? [Or what is this entire host to thee &c. that is what serves it for? What dost thou mean by it? He had doubtless understood it already by the servant that led or drive the flock but he takes occasion that upon Jacobs own reply and he may courteously wave he accepting of I resents] and he said for to find grace in the eyes of my Lord.

9. But Esau said I have stored of it my brother [that is I have store enough myself of all this here we see Gods promise made good to him above chapter 27.39] be it thine what thou hast [keep thou hast for thy thy own self.]

10. Then said Jacob Nay I pray if now I have found grace itchy eyes then take my present at my hand therefore because I have seen the face of God [as if he should say even as the favor of God doth much revive and comfort a man so do I myself much cleared by this thy kind and peaceable meeting of me holding the same for a sure pledge of Gods favor to me ward as if God himself has appeared thus favorable and friendly unto me] and thou hast taken thou pleasure in me [others take pleasure in or be it pleased with me I pray or so friendly or kindly hast thou received me.]

11. Take I pray my blessings [that is the present which is called thus Joshua 15:19 an d1Samuel 25.7 and 30.26 an d2kings 5.15 and 2 Corinthians 9:5,6 in regard that the same consists in things which through Gods bountiful blessing are bestowed on men and are given away with appreciation of all happiness and received with thankfulness and reciprocal wishes of welfare] which is brought to thee because God graciously gave it to me and because I have of all and he pressed him so that he took it.

12. And he said [Viz. Esau] let us travel and March on and did will march before thee [that is by thee over against or with are along with thee in thy company accommodating myself to thy pace and progress although my people be more expedite fresh and strong then thane.]

13. But he [viz. Jacob] said to him my Lord knows that these children are tender [Reuben the eldest was about twelve or thirteen years of age then] and that I have ewes and comes giving suck [or with young] by me [or upon me that is under my care custody] if one should over drive them but one day the whole flock or drove would die.

14. Let my Lord pass by and I pray before the face of his servants and I shall at my ease [or softly at leisure] apply myself as leader according to the gate or pace [Heb. Foot and so in the sequel] of the business or work [thus Jacob calls his cattle the providing and tending whereof was his daily task and employment so likewise Exodus 22:8 and 36.6] which is before my face and according to the gate of these children until I come o my Lord to Sire.

15. And Esau said let me I pray put some of this people by thee that is with me and he said to what end that? let me find grace in my Lord eyes [that is shew me this favor and do that which I desire without leaving any of thy men with now.]

16. So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.

17. But Jacob journeyed to Succoth [not so called yet at that time but afterwards as appears by what followeth at the end of this verse] and he built him an house and made huts for his cattle and therefore he called the name of that place Succoth [huts tents booths this place lay beyond Jordan in the tribe of Gad not afar from Pnuel see Joshua 13.27andJudges 8.5,14,15 another Succoth we read of Exodus 12:37.]

18. And Jacob came safe [Heb. Salem which others take to be the name of the city by the river Jordan about the place where John baptized afterwards and so distinct from another Salem called afterwards Jerusalem see above chapter 14.18 called Psalms 76:3.] to the city of Sichem [se above chapter 12.6] which is in the land of Canaan when he came from Paddan Aram and he camped himself in the faceoff the city [or right be fore the city.]

19. And he bought a part of the field wherein he had extended his tent from the hand of the sons of Hemor [Heb. Cahmor Acts 7:16 he is called emmor] the father of Sichem for an hundred pieces of money[called lambs the coin bearing the stamp and figure of lamb see Joshua 24:32 Job 42:11 and compare Acts 7:16 others do understand natural sheep and that he had so many for that ice of ground it having likewise been the custom to buy and sell by such exchanging and trucking of commodities.]

20. And he erected an altar there [to offerings of thanksgiving and to exercise the whole public worship and service of God there according to the example of his father see above chapter 12.7 and 13.18] and called the same the God of Israel it is God [Heb. El Elohe Israel.]