Genesis 33 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Jacob and Esau Make Peace

Gen 33:1Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives.

Gen 33:2

Gen 33:2He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.

Gen 33:3

Gen 33:3Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him.

Gen 33:4

Gen 33:4Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Gen 33:5

Gen 33:5Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?”
“These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied.

Gen 33:6

Gen 33:6Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him.

Gen 33:7

Gen 33:7Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.

Gen 33:8

Gen 33:8“And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked.
Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”

Gen 33:9

Gen 33:9“My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”

Gen 33:10

Gen 33:10But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!

Gen 33:11

Gen 33:11Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.

Gen 33:12

Gen 33:12“Well,” Esau said, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.”

Gen 33:13

Gen 33:13But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die.

Gen 33:14

Gen 33:14Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”

Gen 33:15

Gen 33:15“All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.”
Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”

Gen 33:16

Gen 33:16So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day.

Gen 33:17

Gen 33:17Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).

Gen 33:18

Gen 33:18Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.

Gen 33:19

Gen 33:19Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.[fn]

Gen 33:20

Gen 33:20And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.[fn]