Genesis 33

1 When Jacob looked off in the distance, there was Esau coming toward him, accompanied by 400 men! So Jacob divided Leah’s children, Rachel, and the children of the two servants into separate groups. ^{a33:1 The Heb. lacks into separate groups}ISV — Genesis 33:1

2 Then he positioned the women servants and their children first, then Leah and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph after them.ISV — Genesis 33:2

3 Then he went out to meet Esau, ^{b33:3 The Heb. lacks went out to meet Esau} passing in front of all of them, and bowed low to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.ISV — Genesis 33:3

4 Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him. Then he fell on his neck and kissed him. And they wept.ISV — Genesis 33:4

5 When Esau eventually looked around, he saw the women and the children. “Who are these people ^{c33:5 The Heb. lacks people} with you?” he asked. “The children, whom God has graciously given ^{d33:5 The Heb. lacks given} your servant,” he answered.ISV — Genesis 33:5

6 Then the women servants approached, accompanied by their children, and bowed low.ISV — Genesis 33:6

7 Leah also approached, and she and her children bowed low. After this, Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed low.ISV — Genesis 33:7

8 Then Esau asked, “What are all these livestock for?” “To solicit favor from you, ^{e33:8 Lit. from your eyes} sir,” ^{f33:8 Lit. you, my lord} Jacob answered.ISV — Genesis 33:8

9 But Esau replied, “I already have so much, my brother, so keep what belongs to you.”ISV — Genesis 33:9

10 “Please,” Jacob implored him, “don’t refuse. If I’m to receive favor from you, then receive this gift from me, because seeing your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have favorably accepted me.ISV — Genesis 33:10

11 So receive my blessing, which has been sent to you, since God has been gracious to me. Besides, I have enough.” Because Jacob kept pressing him, Esau accepted the gifts.ISV — Genesis 33:11

12 Then Esau suggested, “Let’s set out and travel together, but let me go in front of you.”ISV — Genesis 33:12

13 “Sir, you know ^{g33:13 Lit. My lord knows} that the children are frail,” Jacob suggested, “and the ewes and cows with me are still nursing their young. If they’re driven even for a day, the entire flock will die.ISV — Genesis 33:13

14 So allow yourself to ^{h33:14 Lit. So let my lord} go ahead of your servant while I travel more slowly, letting the herds set their own pace ^{i33:14 Lit. feet} with the children until I arrive to see my lord in Seir.”ISV — Genesis 33:14

15 Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” “Why do that?” Jacob asked. “I’ve already found favor in your sight, sir.” ^{j33:15 Lit. sight, my lord}ISV — Genesis 33:15

16 So Esau set out that very day back on his way to Seir,ISV — Genesis 33:16

17 but Jacob set out for Succoth, built a house there, and constructed some cattle shelters. He named the place Succoth. ^{k33:17 The Heb. name Succoth means shelters}ISV — Genesis 33:17

18 After Jacob had arrived safely from Paddan-aram, ^{l33:18 Paddan-aram was located in northwest Mesopotamia} he entered the city of Shechem, which was located in the territory of Canaan, and encamped facing that city.ISV — Genesis 33:18

19 Then he bought a parcel of land for 100 pieces of silver from the descendants of Hamor, Shechem’s father. He pitched his tent there,ISV — Genesis 33:19

20 set up an altar, and named it El-elohe-israel. ^{m33:20 The Heb. name El-elohe-israel means God, the God of Israel}ISV — Genesis 33:20