VERSE 1 Then Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him (vyai tAame [B;r>a; AM[iw> aB' wf'[e hNEhiw> ar>Y:w: wyn"y[e bqo[]y: aF'YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nasha lift + proper noun Jacob + noun f. dual constr.w/3m.s.suff. ayin eye + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ra-ah see + waw w/interj hinneh behold + proper noun Esau + Qal part.m.s.abs. bo come + waw w/prep im w/3m.s.suff. + adj.f.s.abs. araba four + adj.f.p.abs. meah hundred + noun m.s.abs. ish man]).

So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids (tAxp'V.h; yTev. l[;w> lxer'-l[;w> ha'le-l[; ~ydIl'y>h;-ta, #x;Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. chatsah divide + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. yeledh child + prep al + proper noun Leah + waw w/prep al + proper noun Rachel + waw w/prep al + adj.f. dual constr. shenayim two + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. shiphchah maid servant]).

VERSE 2 He put the maids and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last (~ynIrox]a; @seAy-ta,w> lxer'-ta,w> ~ynIrox]a; h'yd,l'ywI ha'le-ta,w> hn"voarI !h,ydel.y:-ta,w> tAxp'V.h;-ta, ~f,Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. shum put + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. shiphchah maid servant + waw w/d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.p.constr.w/3f.p.suff. yeledh child + adj.f.s.ab.s rishon first; "in front" + waw w/d.o. marker + proper noun Leah + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. yeledh child + adj.m.p.abs. acharon after; "next" + waw w/d.o. marker + proper noun Rachel + waw w/d.o. marker + proper noun Joseph + adj.m.p.abs. acharon after; "last"]).

VERSE 3 But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother (wyxia'-d[; ATv.GI-d[; ~ymi['P. [b;v, hc'r>a; WxT;v.YIw: ~h,ynEp.li rb;[' aWhw> [waw w/pro.3m.s. hu he + Qal perf.3m.s. abar pass over + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. paneh face; "ahead of them" + waw w/Hishtaphel impf.3m.s. shachah bow down + noun both s.abs. eretz ground + adj.f.s.abs. sheba seven + noun f.p.abs. pa-am step; "times" + part adh until + Qal infin.constr.w/3m.s.suff. nagash draw near + part adh as far as + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach brother]).

VERSE 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (WKb.YIw: WhqeV'YIw: wr'aW"c;-l[; lPoYIw: WhqeB.x;y>w: Atar'q.li wf'[e #r'Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. rutz run + proper noun Esau + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr.w/3m.s.suff. qara meet + waw w/Piel impf.3m.s.w/3m.s.suff. chabaq embrace + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. naphal fall + prep al upon + noun m.s.const.w/3m.s.suff. tsaww-ar neck + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bakah weep]).

VERSE 5 He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, "Who are these with you (%L' hL,ae-ymi rm,aYOw: ~ydIl'y>h;-ta,w> ~yviN"h;-ta, ar>Y:w: wyn"y[e-ta, aF'YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nasha lift + d.o. marker + noun f. dual constr.w/3m.s.suff. ayin eye + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ra-ah see + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. ishshah woman + waw w/d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. yeledh child + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + interrog mi who + adj.p.abs. elleh these + prep lamedh w/2m.s.suff. "with you"])?"

So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant (^D,b.[;-ta, ~yhil{a/ !n:x'-rv,a] ~ydIl'y>h; rm;aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. yeled child + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. chanan be gracious + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ebedh servant])."

VERSE 6 Then the maids came near with their children, and they bowed down (!"yw<x]T;v.Tiw: !h,ydel.y:w> hN"he tAxp'V.h; !"v.G:Tiw [waw w/Qal impf.3f.p. nagash draw near + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. shiphechah maid servant + pro.3f.p. chenna these, they; "their" + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/3f.p.suff. yeledh child + waw w/Hithphal impf.3f.p. shachah bow down]).

VERSE 7 Leah likewise came near with her children, and they bowed down; and afterward Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed down (Wwx]T;v.YIw: lxer'w> @seAy vG:nI rx;a;w> Wwx]T;v.YIw: h'yd,l'ywI ha'le-~G: vG:Tiw: [waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. nagash draw near + conj gam also + proper noun Leah + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. yeledh child + waw w/Hithpael impf.3m.p. shachah bow down + waw w/part achar afterward + Niphal perf.3m.s. nagash draw near + proper noun Rachel + waw w/proper noun Rachel + waw w/Hithpael impf.3m.p. shachah bow down]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-7

1. In this scene Jacob faces the long-dreaded reunion with his brother.
2. The scene opens with Jacob seeing the impressive approach of Esau and his four hundred man army.
3. The visual in the moment becomes more real to Jacob than the promises of God guaranteeing safety for Jacob and his family.
4. The eyes of the flesh trump the eyes of the soul which should have been focused on the divine promises.
5. When Jacob first heard the news of the visitation of Esau with the four hundred he immediately resorted to a ploy of dividing his assets into two companies.
6. This was followed up by the sending of a generous gift of livestock so as ameliorate his brother’s wrath.
7. Here he reacts to the test by dividing his wives and children into three groupings.
8. Jacob continues to resort to an energy of the flesh tactic.
9. The fact he knows better from the truth within as evidenced by his wonderful prayer does not win out over his fear grid.
10. Jacob arranges his wives and their respective offspring according to those he holds most dear (v.1).
11. The idea being that Rachel and Joseph (last grouping) may have the best chance of escape when violence breaks out.
12. This was Jacob’s motive in 32:8-22.
13. The same verb "divided" (chatsah) is used here as in 32:7.
14. There is also the possibility that Jacob arranges his family according to precedence, in order that they may be presented to prince Esau.
15. The order was: Bilhad with her two sons and Zilpah with her two sons out front, followed by the center grouping of Leah and her seven children, with Rachel and Joseph at the rear (v.2).
16. To Jacob’s credit he demonstrates that he is not caught up in craven fear as he "passed on ahead of them" (v.3).
17. Thus signaling the new Israel versus the old fear-dominated Jacob.
18. Unlike the first instance of his dividing his family, with himself in the rear so he could lead the flight, he approaches the threat head-on.
19. What is more, "he bowed down to the ground seven times until he reached his brother."
20. Bowing down seven times was the act of respect of a vassal to an overlord (cf. Aramana letters).
21. What Jacob is really trying to accomplish here is to offset the great act of deception whereby he "cheated" Esau out of the blessing.
22. But to Jacob’s utter amazement Esau responds as if the bad blood between them didn’t exist (v.4).
23. In this initial encounter there is no hint of the murderous intent that separated the brothers twenty years previously.
24. The greeting is that of long-lost brothers who are reunited.
25. Four verbs are used in v.4 in connection with the normal greeting of separated relatives: "ran," "embraced," "kissed," and "wept."
26. Jacob has an emotional moment joining in the weeping and this breaks the ice.
27. Esau begins the conversation asking the identity of the women and children (v.5).
28. Jacob’s reply to his brother is somewhat striking in that he articulates the fact that the children are his by the grace of God ("The children whom God has graciously given to your servant.").
29. The key term here if "favor" (chen) which in theological parlance means "grace."
30. Jacob, it would seem, avoids the term "blessing" which occurs 88x in Genesis versus the 17x for "favor."
31. He does not say, "the children with whom God blessed me."
32. The term "blessing" might stir up the past that led to their sudden separation.
33. Even thought they are brothers Jacob maintains the deferential tone by referring to himself as "your servant" and Esau as "my lord" (vv. 5,8,13,14,15).
34. Jacob introduces his family in groups who in turn prostrate themselves (v.6-7).
35. By giving gifts and bowing down Jacob seeks to undo the rift and the sin of the past.

Esau Accepts Jacob’s Gift (vv. 8-11)

VERSE 8 And he said, "What do you mean by all this company which I have met (yTiv.g"P' rv,a] hZ<h; hn<x]M;h;-lK' ^l. ymi rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + interrgo mi what? + prep lamedh w/2m.s.suff. "you" + noun m.s.constr. kol all + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. machaneh camp; "company" + def.art.w/adj.m.s.abs. zeh this + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.1s. pagash encounter])?"

And he said, "To find favor in the sight of my lord (ynIdoa] ynEy[eB. !xe-acom.li rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. matsa find + noun m.s.abs. chen favor + prep beth w/noun m. dual constr. ayin eye + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord])."

VERSE 9 But Esau said, "I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own (%l'-rv,a] ^l. yhiy> yxia' br' yli-vy< wf'[e rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + proper noun Esau + adv yesh "I have" + prep lamedh w/1s.suff. + adj.m.s.abs. rabh much; "plenty" + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. ach brother + Qal impf.3m.s. jussive hayah + prep lamedh w/2m.s.suff. + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/2f.s.suff.])."

VERSE 10 Jacob said, "No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight (^yn<y[eB. !xe ytiac'm' an"-~ai an"-la; bqo[]y: rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + proper noun Jacob + neg al "No" + interj na please + part im if + interj na; now + Qal perf.1s. matsa find + noun m.s.abs. chen favor + prep beth w/noun f. dual constr.w/2m.s.suff. ayin eye], then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably [ynIcer>Tiw: ~yhil{a/ ynEP. taor>Ki ^yn<p' ytiyair' !Ke-l[; yKi ydIY"mi ytix'n>mi T'x.q;l'w> [waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. laqach take + noun f.s.constr.w/1s.suff. minchah gift + prep min w/noun f.s.constr.w/1s.suff. yad hand + part ki + prep al + adv ken + Qal perf.1s. ra-ah see + noun both p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. paneh face + prep kaph w/Qal infin.constr. ra-ah see + noun both p.constr. paneh face + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + waw w/Qal impf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. ratsah be pleased with]).

VERSE 11 "Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty (lko-yli-vy< ykiw> ~yhil{a/ ynIN:x;-yKi %l' tab'hu rv,a] ytik'r>Bi-ta, an"-xq; [Qal imper.m.s. laqach take + interj na please + d.o. marker + noun f.s.constr.w/1s.suff. berakah blessing; "my gift" + rel.pro. asher + Hophal perf.3f.s. bo bring + prep lamed w/2s.suff. + part ki + Qal perf.3m.s.w/1s.suff. chanan be gracious + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + waw w/part ki "because" + adv yesh "I have’ + noun m.s.abs. kol all; "plenty"])."

Thus he urged him and he took it (xQ'YIw: AB-rc;p.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. patsar press, urge + prep beth w/3m.s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. laqach take]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 8-11

1. Everything Jacob has done to ameliorate his brother was wasted effort even from a purely humanistic standpoint.
2. After Jacob answers Esau’s query regarding the children, Esau, who is in a very good mood, queries Jacob about "all this company which I have met" (v.8).
3. Esau had been told by Jacob’s servants the meaning of the gift and so he knew it was such.
4. Yet he does not know the meaning of the gift.
5. For Esau the past is dead and bears on significance to the present.
6. Jacob responds by telling him that the meaning of the gift is "to find favor in the sight of my lord."
7. Time and favorable circumstances of life have totally submerged any lingering angst that Esau might have harbored over the years.
8. Esau is bewildered by all the overt show of subservience so demonstrably exercised by Jacob.
9. Esau retorts in v. 9 that Jacob keep his gift as he "has plenty" (v. 9).
10. Jacob will not take "no" for an answer (v. 10), the exchange of words becomes more intense.
11. Jacob asks his brother to take the gift as evidence that he has indeed "found favor in [his] sight."
12. Jacob goes on to add that seeing his brother as he is like "seeing the face of God" and the appearance is a favorable one.
13. Jacob in a round-about-fashion is conveying the message that he is thrilled that he has been forgiven of wrongdoing by his brother.
14. Again, Esau is not thinking in these terms whatsoever.
15. He insists that Esau accept his gift as token/evidence of the goodwill evidenced in Esau’s receiving of him.
16. For Jacob seeing Esau under these totally unexpected conditions was for him like seeing the face of God and surviving (v.10).
17. The exchange between the brothers on the subject of the gift ends with v. 11.
18. And finally Jacob employs the heretofore avoided term "blessing" (berachah) as the synonym for "gift" (minchah).
19. For Jacob, Esau must receive this gift/blessing otherwise he could not be sure of Esau’s forgiveness.
20. For Jacob the generous gift was a replacement blessing for the one stolen years before.
21. He begs his brother to accept the gift because it originates from God’s grace and because he has plenty.
22. By Esau’s reluctant acceptance of the gift we have yet another example of what the Lord said to Jacob the evening before, namely that Jacob has prevailed with God and men.
23. Jacob the underdog prevails over his brother, that is, he gets his way.

The Brothers Part Company (vv. 12-16)

VERSE 12 Then Esau said, "Let us take our journey and go, and I will go before you (^D,g>n<l. hk'l.aew> hk'lenEw> h['s.nI rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + Qal impf.1p nasa remove, journey + waw w/Qal impf.1p. halak go + waw w/Qal impf.1s. halak go + prep lamedh w/part w/2m.s.suff. neged before])."

VERSE 13 But he said to him, "My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care to me (yl'[' tAl[' rq'B'h;w> !aCoh;w> ~yKir; ~ydIl'y>h;-yKi [;deyO ynIdoa] wyl'ae rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord + Qal part.m.s.abs. yada know + part ki + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. yeledh child + adj.m.p.abs. rak tender, delicate + waw w/def.art.w/noun both s.abs. ts-on flock + waw w/def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. baqar herd + Qal part.f.p.abs. ul give suck, nurse + prep al upon w/1s.suff. "are a care to me]).

And if they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die (" waw w/Qal perf.3p.w/3m.s.suff. dapaq beat, knock; "driven hard" + noun m.s.abs. yom day + adj.m.s.abs. echad one + waw w/Qal perf.3p. muth die + noun m.s.constr. kol + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. ts-on flock]).

VERSE 14 "Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and 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 (hr'y[ife ynIdoa]-la, aboa'-rv,a] d[; ~ydIl'y>h; lg<r,l.W yn:p'l.-rv,a] hk'al'M.h; lg<r,l. yJiail. hl'h]n"t.a, ynIa]w: ADb.[; ynEp.li ynIdoa] an"-rb'[]y: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. abar pass on + interj na + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord + prep lamedh w/noun both p.constr. paneh face + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ebed servant + waw w/pro.1s. anoki I + Hithpael impf.1s. nahal lead with care + prep lamedh w/adv at "at my leisure" + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.abs. regel foot; + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. mela+akah work, business; "pace" + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. paneh "are set before me" + waw w/prep lamedh w/noun f.s.abs. regel foot + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. yeled child + part adh until + rel.pro. asher + Qal impf.1s. bo come + prep el to + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord + proper noun Seir])."

VERSE 15 Esau said, "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me (yTiai rv,a] ~['h'-!mi ^M.[i aN"-hg"yCia; wf'[e rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + proper noun Esau + Hiphil impf.1s. yatsag set, place; "let me leave" + inter na please + prep im w/2m.s.suff. "with you"+ prep min + def.art.w/noun m.s.asbs. am people + rel.pro. asher + prep eth w/1s.suff.])."

But he said, "What need is there (hZ< hM'l' rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + interrog lammah what? + adj.m.s.abs. zeh such; "need is there"])?

Let me find favor in the sight of my lord (ynIdoa] ynEy[eB. !xe-ac'm.a, [Qal impf.1s. matsa find + noun m.s.abs. chen favor + prep beth w/noun m. dual constr. ayin eye + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord])."

VERSE 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir (hr'y[ife AKr>d;l. wf'[e aWhh; ~AYB; bv'Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. shub return + prep beth w/def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. yom day + def.art.w/pro.3m.s. hu "that" + proper noun Esau + prep lamedh w/noun both s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. derek way + proper noun Seir]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 12-16

1. In response to accepting Jacob’s gift Esau offers things to Jacob.
2. He begins by offering Jacob safe escort to the land of Seir (cf. v. 14).
3. Jacob declines the offer on the pretense that keeping up with Esau’s band of warriors would jeopardize the children and animals that are nursing (v. 13).
4. This excuse is rather lame considering the fact Jacob has already pressed his entourage in his flight from Laban and it doesn’t make sense in that Esau would have been more than willing to accommodate the slower moving Jacob and company.
5. It has been suggested that the real motive for Jacob’s refusal is that he still mistrusts his brother and that some new conflict between the brothers might place Jacob in a dangerous situation.
6. The real motive behind Jacob’s rather lame excuse is a spiritual issue, namely that God has told him to return to the land of Canaan and not the territory of Seir (cf. 31:3, 13, 32; 32:10).
7. According to v. 14 Jacob understood correctly Esau’s offer in v. 12 as an offer not just of a temporary escort but of a permanent residence in Esau’s homeland (comparing verses 12 and 14).
8. Based on the oracle of Rebekah and the blessings conferred on Jacob and Esau by their father Isaac meant that the relations between Israel and Edom were touch-and-go at the best of circumstances.
9. In v. 14 Jacob continues his insistence that he be allowed to travel at his own pace which was polite but disingenuous.
10. Jacob has no intentions whatsoever of arriving at Esau’s place even though he leaves Esau with the impression that he will "come to [his] lord at Seir."
11. To override Jacob’s concerns Esau offers Jacob some of his men to assist the slower moving Jacob (v. 15a).
12. Even Esau’s offer of a bodyguard is politely refused (v. 15b).
13. Jacob wants to be free of his brother and that for spiritual considerations (i.e., doing the directive will of God).
14. What matters for Jacob in regards to their reunion is that he find favor in Esau’s sight.
15. Esau simply leaves Jacob an returns to the ancestral home of the Edomites which is Seir (v. 16).
16. Again, Jacob contends with man and prevails.
17. He gets his way, which happily is God’s way.
18. He maintains the doctrine of separation which is inherent in the teaching of the oracle and the blessing of Isaac.
19. They part company on a positive note and are reunited one more time briefly at the burial of Isaac.

Jacob Remembers Bethel (vv. 17-22)

VERSE 17 Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built for himself a house and made booths for his livestock; therefore the place is named Succoth (tAKsu ~AqM'h;-~ve ar'q' !Ke-l[; tKosu hf'[' WhnEq.mil.W tyIB' Al !b,YIw: ht'Kosu [s;n" bqo[]y:w> [waw w/proper noun Jacob + Qal perf.3m.s. nasa pull out, journey + proper noun Succoth + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. banah build + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + noun m.s.abs. bayith house + waw w/prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. miqeneh livestock + Qal perf.3m.s. ashah do; "made" + noun f.p.abs. sukkah booth + prep al + adv ken = "therefore" + Qal perf.3m.s. qara call + noun m.s.constr. shem name + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. maqom place + proper noun Succoth]).

VERSE 18 Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram, and camped before the city (ry[ih' ynEP.-ta, !x;YIw: ~r'a]ƒ!D;P;mi AaboB. ![;n:K. #r,a,B. rv,a] ~k,v. ry[i ~lev' bqo[]y: aboY"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bo go, come + proper noun Jacob + adj.m.s.abs. shalem peace; "safely" + noun f.s.abs. ir city + proper noun Shechem + rel.pro. asher + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz land + proper noun Canaan + prep min w/proper noun Paddan-aram + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. chanan camp; decline, encamp + d.o. marker + noun both pl.constr. paneh face + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. ir city]).

VERSE 19 He bought the piece of land where he had pitched his tent from the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money (hj'yfiq. ha'meB. ~k,v. ybia] rAmx]-ynEB. dY:mi Alh\a' ~v'-hj'n" rv,a] hd,F'h; tq;l.x,-ta, !q,YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qanah purchase + d.o. marker + noun f.s.constr. cheleqah smoothness, flattery + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. shadeh field + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. natah extend, pitch + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ohel tent + prep min w/noun f.s.constr. yad hand + noun m.p.constr. ben + proper noun Hamor + noun m.s.constr. abh father + proper noun Shechem + prep beth w/adj.f.s.abs. me-ah hundred + noun f.s.abs. qeshitah a unit of unknown value]).

VERSE 20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel (laer'f.yI yhel{a/ lae Al-ar'q.YIw: x;Bez>mi ~v'-bC,Y:w: [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. natsab set upright; "erect" + adv sham there + noun m.s.abs. mizebbech altar + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qara call + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + proper noun El-Elohe-Israel]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 17-20

1. In these verses we have Jacob’s itinerary after his permanent separation from Esau (they would meet one more time sixty years later at the death of Isaac).
2. Esau traveled south to Seir and Jacob traveled north two miles from the Jabbok stream to a place he named Succoth.
3. Jacob left the land in 1746 BC (Isaac was 100 yrs old) and returned twenty years later in 1726 BC.
4. He was sixty years of age and his children ranged from thirteen to six years of age.
5. Joseph was six years of age at this time.
6. His first stop was Succoth so named after the animal shelters he built there (v. 17).
7. Places Jacob has named thus far: Bethel, Mahanaim, and Peniel.
8. These all grew out of a supernatural encounter, but not so with Succoth.
9. The term translated "booths" is succoth.
10. The narrator informs the reader that Jacob built a house at this site.
11. Living in tents was the modus vivendi of the three patriarchs with only this one mention of an exception.
12. Succoth is a town east of the Jordan in the territory of Gad (Josh. 13:27).
13. Succoth is generally considered to be identified with modern Tell Deir-alla.
14. The lapse of time spent here is not told us.
15. Jacob moves from Transjordan to Cisjordan and arrives for the first time in twenty years in Canaan proper.
16. This explains the statement in v. 18 "which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram."
17. His next stop was the outskirts of the Canaanite city of Shechem (v. 18).
18. Hence, the: "he camped before the city."
19. Shechem first appears in the patriarchal narrative as a place mentioned in transient when Abraham first entered the land passing on his way to Bethel and the Negev (12:6).
20. Shechem was a Canaanite town.
21. The residents of Shechem are identified as "the sons of Hamor", that is, "the sons of the donkey."
22. Based on evidence from Mari, the designation must refer to members of the community whose relationship was based on a covenant formalized by the ritual sacrifice of a donkey.
23. This accounts for Near Easterners giving their children animal names.
24. Jacob upon arriving in the land of promise proper strikes a real estate deal with the locales to purchase a plot of ground (v. 19).
25. The price he paid is said to be one hundred qeshitah.
26. It is not known what one qeshitah weighed so it is not known how much he spent on this piece of land.
27. Jacob follows the pattern of his grandfather (chap. 23) in this regard.
28. Jacob sole purpose in purchasing this plot of land on the outskirts of Shechem was to erect and altar there (v.20).
29. In so doing he follows the example of he grandfather (12:7, 8; 13:18; 22:9) and his father (26:25).
30. The usual verb for this activity is banah (cf. v. 17) but here the verb natsab is used (cf. 35:20).
31. It means ‘to stand upright/erect.’
32. This verb recalls 28:12-13 where it is used in connection with the stairway to heaven that Jacob saw in his nocturnal vision.
33. The stairway was "set on the earth/ground with its top reaching heaven."
34. Furthermore it is used of Yahweh who "stood" or was "standing above it" (participle).
35. This supplies a link between the two narratives (separated by 20 years).
36. In his vow at Bethel Jacob had raised the issue of whether God would safely return him to his father’s house (28:21).
37. God’s faithfulness to His promise to Jacob is the background to the erection of this altar on the outskirts of Shechem on the parcel of land he purchased from the local Canaanites.
38. Also, at Bethel Jacob had promised "if God will be with me…" then Yahweh will be my God" (28:20-21).
39. Hence the naming of the altar which he called El-Elohe-Israel.
40. El is ‘God’, Elohe is ‘the God of’ connected to Jacob’s "new" name ‘Israel’ which was conferred on him at the Jabbok.
41. Hence, "God, the God of Israel."
42. At Bethel Jacob said that if God be with him on his journey and bring him safely back to the land then, "Yahweh will be my God."
43. Jacob has as yet to actually arrive at Bethel, but that will come later on (35:1, 3, 6, 8, 15).
44. Back in the land proper Jacob "erects" and altar for worship and pay tribute to the faithfulness and grace/favor of God.
45. Like Jacob of old God fights both for and against those who are positive.
46. The trials He puts us through are for our own good as we move ever closer to the objective.
47. His fighting against us is light compared to His fighting for us so that we like Jacob can prevail against men (opponents like Laban and Esau) and God.
48. Jacob’s experience on the shore of the Jabbok illustrates the struggle we have with God in our quest to secure lasting blessing.
49. Jacob epitomizes the long struggle of the chosen people in all their ups and downs who in the end rise victorious in the conflict.
50. We too like Jacob will receive a new name befitting our Ph2.
51. Jacob survived, albeit not without a wound, the most dangerous of his potential adversaries on that river bank.
52. The old Jacob still surfaces from time to time, but the new Jacob (Israel) has attained a new standing before God.