Genesis 33:18-20

Jacob Settles in Shechem

18 Now Jacob came safely to the city of 1Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from 2Paddan-aram, and camped before the city.
19 3He 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.
20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Genesis 33:18-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 33

In this chapter we find Esau meeting Jacob in a friendly manner, contrary to his fears and expectation, having set his family in order in case of the worst, Ge 33:1-4; putting questions to Jacob concerning the women and children with him, who make their obeisance to him as Jacob had done before, Ge 33:5-7; and concerning the drove he met, which was a present to him, and which he refused at first to take, but at the urgency of Jacob accepted of it, Ge 33:8-11; proposing to travel with him, unto which Jacob desired to be excused, he, with the women, children, and flocks, not being able to keep pace with him, Ge 33:12-14, and to leave some of his men with him to guard him, which Jacob judged unnecessary, upon which they parted friendly, Ge 33:15,16; and the chapter is concluded with an account of Jacob's journey, first to Succoth, then to Shalem, where he pitched his tent, bought a field and built an altar, Ge 33:17-20.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Genesis 12:6; Joshua 24:1; Judges 9:1
  • 2. Genesis 25:20; Genesis 28:2
  • 3. Joshua 24:32; John 4:5

Footnotes 2

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