The meeting of Esau and Jacob
1Jacob looked up and saw that Esau was coming with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants. 2He then put the maidservants in front with their children, then Leah with her children and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3He himself went on before them and bowed to the ground seven times until he came near his brother.
4Esau ran to meet him, took him in his arms, kissed him; and both wept. 5Esau looked up and seeing the women and the children said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob replied, “They are the children God has given to your servant.” 6Then the servants and their children went forward and bowed down. 7Leah with her children likewise advanced and bowed, and lastly Joseph and Rachel went forward and bowed.
8Esau said, “What is the meaning of all this company I have met?” Jacob replied, “It is to win your favor.” 9Esau answered, “Brother, I have plenty; keep what you have for yourself.” 10Jacob said, “But, no, please! Accept the gift I offer, for I came to you as to God, and you received me kindly. 11So accept the gift I have brought you, for God has dealt generously with me and I have plenty.” And so much did Jacob insist that Esau accepted the gift.
12Esau then said, “Let us be on our way. I will lead you.” 13But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are not strong, and besides I must think of the ewes with lambs and the cows that have calves and if they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the flocks will die. 14Let it please my lord to go ahead of me while I move on slowly at the pace of the cattle I’m driving and that of the children, until I reach my lord at Seir.” 15Esau said, “At least let me leave with you some of my men.” Jacob replied, “Why? All I want is to keep your friendship.”
16So Esau returned that same day to Seir. 17But Jacob left for Succoth. There he built a house for himself and shelters for his cattle. That is why the place was called Succoth.
18On his return from Paddan-aram, Jacob safely reached Shechem, a town in the land of Canaan, and encamped within sight of the town. 19For one hundred pieces of silver he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of land where he had pitched his tent. 20There he erected an altar and called it God — the God of Israel.
