Introduction to Genesis Chapter 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, Genesis 33:1; putting questions to Jacob concerning the women and children with him, who make their obeisance to him as Jacob had done before, Genesis 33:5; 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, Genesis 33:8; 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,
Genesis 33:12, and to leave some of his men with him to guard him, which Jacob judged unnecessary, upon which they parted friendly,
Genesis 33:15; 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, Genesis 33:17.