Genesis-Chap-34
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Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Genesis 33 describes the long‑anticipated meeting between Jacob and Esau after decades of estrangement. Jacob approaches with fear, caution, and humility, while Esau arrives with a large company of men. The chapter explores themes of reconciliation, vulnerability, family dynamics, and the delicate balance between peace and independence. What follows are explanations that illuminate the narrative flow and meaning of each verse or group of verses.
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Let us read Genesis
Chapter 33, verses 1-20: Below the verses are the Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the
Torah).
Verse 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.
Explanation Verse 1: Jacob lifts his eyes and sees Esau approaching with four hundred
men. This number naturally heightens Jacob’s anxiety, as such a group could
signal hostility. Jacob arranges his family in a protective formation, showing
both strategic thinking and deep concern for their safety.
Verse 2: And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
Explanation Verse 2: Jacob places the maidservants and their children first, Leah and her
children next, and Rachel with Joseph last. This order reflects Jacob’s
emotional attachments and priorities, but also his attempt to shield those
dearest to him. It reveals the complex family structure that has shaped much of
his life.
Verse 3: And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Explanation Verse 3: Jacob goes ahead
of everyone and bows seven times as he approaches Esau. Bowing repeatedly is a
gesture of profound respect and submission. Jacob is not only seeking peace but
also acknowledging the wrongs of the past in a nonverbal, humble manner.
Verse 4: And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept.
Explanation Verse 4: Esau unexpectedly runs to meet Jacob, embraces him, falls on his
neck, kisses him, and they weep. This moment overturns Jacob’s fears. Esau’s
actions show spontaneous emotion rather than hostility. The weeping suggests a
release of long‑held tension and the possibility of genuine
reconciliation.
Verse 5: And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said: ‘Who are these with thee?’ And he said: ‘The children whom אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) hath graciously given thy servant’.
Explanation Verse 5: Esau notices the women and children and asks who they are. Jacob responds that they are the children whom אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has graciously given him. Jacob’s answer emphasizes gratitude and acknowledges that his family is a blessing rather than a possession.
Verse 6: Then the handmaids came near, they and their children, and they bowed down.
Explanation Verse 6: The maidservants
and their children approach and bow. This continues the theme of respect and
careful diplomacy. Each subgroup of the family participates in the gesture,
reinforcing Jacob’s desire to show honour and avoid conflict.
Verse 7: And Leah also and her children came near, and bowed down; and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed down.
Explanation Verse 7: Leah and her children bow, followed by Rachel and Joseph. The
narrative highlights Joseph’s presence, perhaps foreshadowing his future
significance. The repeated bowing underscores the seriousness with which Jacob
approaches this encounter.
Verse 8: And he said: ‘What meanest thou by all this camp which I met?’ And he said: ‘To find favour in the sight of my lord’.
Explanation Verse 8: Esau asks about the droves of animals he encountered earlier. Jacob
explains that they were meant to find favour in Esau’s eyes. Jacob uses gifts
as a means of reconciliation, a common ancient Near Eastern practice to mend
relationships and show goodwill.
Verse 9: And Esau said: ‘I have enough; my brother, let that which thou hast be thine’.
Explanation Verse 9: Esau declines the
gifts, saying he has enough. This response suggests that Esau is not seeking
material compensation and that his intentions are not hostile. It also shows
Esau’s sense of sufficiency and independence.
Verse 10: And Jacob said: ‘Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found favour in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; forasmuch as I have seen thy face, as one seeth the face of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and thou wast pleased with me.
Explanation Verse 10: Jacob insists that Esau accept the gift, comparing Esau’s acceptance
to seeing the face of one who is reconciled. Jacob expresses relief and
gratitude that Esau has received him peacefully. The language reflects Jacob’s
emotional vulnerability and the depth of his fear prior to the meeting.
Verse 11: Take, I pray thee, my gift that is brought to thee; because אֱלֹהִים - Elohim hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough’. And he urged him, and he took it.
Explanation Verse 11: Jacob urges
Esau to take the blessing he has brought, emphasizing that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has dealt graciously with him. The term “blessing” may
intentionally echo the earlier blessing Jacob took from Esau, subtly
acknowledging the past without reopening conflict. Esau eventually accepts,
sealing the reconciliation.
Verse 12: And he said: ‘Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee’.
Explanation Verse 12: Esau suggests that they travel together. This offer indicates Esau’s
goodwill and desire to maintain the renewed relationship. It also shows Esau’s
confidence and leadership.
Verse 13: And he said unto him: ‘My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds giving suck are a care to me; and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die’.
Explanation Verse 13: Jacob gently
declines, explaining that the children and flocks are delicate and cannot be
driven hard. Jacob’s reasoning is practical, but it also allows him to maintain
independence and avoid being under Esau’s authority or protection.
Verse 14: ‘Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant; and I will journey on gently, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come unto my lord unto Seir’.
Explanation Verse 14: Jacob proposes that Esau go ahead while he follows slowly. This
arrangement preserves peace while giving Jacob space to move at his own pace. It also reflects Jacob’s cautious nature.
Verse 15: And Esau said: ‘Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me’. And he said: ‘What needeth it? let me find favour in the sight of my lord’.
Explanation Verse 15: Esau is offering protection, a gesture of brotherly goodwill after
years of estrangement. But Jacob refuses, and his refusal is not hostility.
It’s called wisdom.
Verse 16: So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
Explanation Verse 16 Esau returns to Seir. The narrative shows
Esau going his own way, suggesting that the reconciliation is sincere but does
not require the brothers to merge their lives or territories.
Verse 17: And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
Explanation Verse 17: Jacob travels to Sukkot, builds a house, and
makes shelters for his livestock. This marks a period of settling and stability
after years of wandering. The name “Sukkot” reflects
the temporary structures he builds.
Verse 18: And
Jacob came in peace to the city of
Explanation Verse 18: Jacob arrives safely at Shechem in the
Verse 19: And he bought the parcel of ground, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money.
Explanation Verse 19: Jacob purchases a parcel of land from the sons of Hamor. This act of buying land is significant: it
establishes a foothold in
Verse 20: And
he erected there an altar, and called it ‘El’elohe-Israel’”.
Explanation Verse 20: Jacob sets up an altar and names it in a way that acknowledges the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Israel. This final act expresses gratitude, identity, and spiritual grounding. It marks the end of a long journey of struggle, fear, and transformation.
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My Closing Message:
Genesis 33 portrays a moment of healing between two brothers whose lives were shaped by rivalry and fear. The chapter emphasizes humility, restraint, and the possibility of reconciliation even after deep conflict. Jacob’s cautious approach and Esau’s unexpected warmth remind us that relationships can shift in surprising ways. The narrative closes with Jacob establishing himself in the land and reaffirming his connection to the Divine, signalling a new chapter of stability and purpose.
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