Genesis 33:1

_AND JACOB LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND LOOKED, AND, BEHOLD, ESAU CAME, AND WITH HIM FOUR HUNDRED MEN. AND HE DIVIDED THE CHILDREN UNTO LEAH, AND UNTO RACHEL, AND UNTO THE TWO HANDMAIDS._ Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked. Jacob having crossed the ford, and ranged his wives and children in order-the dearest last, that they might be the least exposed to danger-awaited the expected interview. HIS faith was strengthened and his fears gone (Psalms 27:3). Having had power to prevail with God, he was confident of the same power with man, according to the promise (cf. Genesis 32:28). BEHOLD, ESAU CAME, AND WITH HIM FOUR HUNDRED MEN. An Arab chief in the present day would, in similar circumstances, appear attended by a large retinue, armed with matchlocks, spears, and other weapons. Esa

1._And Jacob lifted up his eyes_. We have said how greatly Jacob feared for himself from his brother; but now when Esau himself approaches, his terror is not only renewed, but increased. For although he goes forth like a courageous and spirited combatant to this contest, he is still not exempt from a sense of danger; whence it follows, that he is not free, either from anxiety or fear. For his cruel brother had still the same cause of hatred against him as before. And it was not probable, that, after he had left his father’s house, and had been living as he pleased, he had become more mild. Therefore, as in a doubtful affair, and one of great danger, Jacob placed his wives and children in the order described; that, if Esau should attempt anything hostile, the whole seed might not perish, but part might have time for flight. The only thing which appears to be done by him out of order is, t...

1-16 Jacob, having by prayer committed his case to God, went on his way. Come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob bowed to Esau. A humble, submissive behaviour goes far towards turning away wrath. Esau embraced Jacob. God has the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. It is not in vain to trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble. And when a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Esau receives Jacob as a brother, and much tenderness passes between them. Esau asks, Who are those with thee? To this common question, Jacob spoke like himself, like a man whose eyes are ever directed towards the Lord. Jacob urged Esau, though his fear was over, and he took his present. It is well when men's religion makes them generous, free-hearted, and open-handed. But...

CHAPTER XXXIII _Esau, with four hundred men, meets Jacob_, 1. _He places his children under their respective mothers,_ _passes over before them, and bows himself to his brother_, 2, 3. _Esau receives him with great affection_, 4. _Receives the homage of the handmaids_, Leah, Rachel, _and_ _their children_, 5-7. _Jacob offers him the present of cattle, which he at first_ _refuses, but after much entreaty accepts_, 8-11. _Invites Jacob to accompany him to Mount_ Seir, 12. Jacob excuses himself because of his flocks and his chi

- Jacob and Esau Meet 17. סכת _sûkkôth_, Sukkoth, “booths,” consisting of poles forming a roof covered with branches, leaves, or grass. 19. חמור _chămôr_ Chamor, “ass, red, heap.” קשׂיטה _q__e__śı̂yṭâh_ Qesitah, weighed or measured. Ἀμνὸς _Amnos_, Septuagint and Onkelos Jacob has a friendly interview with Esau, and re-+enters Kenaan. Genesis 33:1 Jacob, upon seeing Esau approach with his four hundred men, advances with circumspection and lowly obeisance. He divided his family, arranged them according to their preciousness in his eyes, and

EXPOSITION GENESIS 33:1, GENESIS 33:2 AND JACOB, having the day before dispatched his conciliatory gift to Esau, turned his back upon the Jabbok, having crossed to the south bank, if the previous night had been spent upon its north side, passed over the rising ground of Peniel, and advanced to meet his brother, richly laden with the heavenly blessing he had won in his mysterious conflict with Elohim, and to all appearance free from those paralyzing fears which, previous to the midnight struggle, the prospect of meeting Esau had inspired. Having already prevailed with God, he had an inward assurance, begotten by the words of his celestial antagonist, that he would likewise prevail with man, and so he lifted up his e

AND JACOB LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND LOOKED,.... After he had passed over the brook, and was come to his wives and children; which was done either accidentally or on purpose, to see if he could espy his brother coming: some think this denotes his cheerfulness and courage, and that he was now not distressed and dejected, as he had been before: AND, BEHOLD, ESAU CAME, AND WITH HIM FOUR HUNDRED MEN; see Genesis 32:6; AND HE DIVIDED THE CHILDREN UNTO LEAH, AND UNTO RACHEL, AND UNTO THE TWO HANDMAIDS; some think he made four divisions of them; Leah and her children, Rachel and her son, Bilhah and hers, and Zilpah and hers: but others are of opinion there were but three: the two handmaids and their children in one division, Leah and her children in another, and Rachel and her son in the third; which seems to be confirmed in...

Genesis 33:1. _And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost._ He placed them in the order of his affection for them, the best-beloved in the rear. Genesis 33:3. _And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept._ God had been very gracious to him, and all his fears were gone, so he met Esau as a brother, not as an enemy, and the four hundred men were willing

CHAPTER 33 THE RECONCILIATION OF ESAU _ 1. Jacob meets Esau (Genesis 33:1)_ 2. In the city of Shechem and the altar erected (Genesis 33:18) The reconciliation is effected, but Jacob is the same man of deceit. He tells his brother he will follow him to Seir. But he goes instead to Succoth. He built an altar there, but it is not the worship God expected. He should have gone to Bethel and fulfilled his vow....

GENESIS 33. THE RECONCILIATION OF JACOB AND ESAU. Genesis 33:1 is in the main from J, but bits of E have been woven in (Genesis 33:5_ b_, Genesis 33:10_ b_, Genesis 33:11_ a_). The actual course of events, however, is not clear. According to E, Jacob had prepared a very costly present for Esau, and reading our narrative as if it carried on Genesis 32:13 _b_ - Genesis 32:21, we should gain the impression that at the point reached in...