33:8-11
Esau had met the earlier groups and gifts that Jacob had organised, and asked Jacob what they were all about. Jacob tells him plainly that they were there to “find favour” in Esau’s sight. Esau says he has no need for all these gifts as he already has plenty. Jacob, of course, insists that Esau takes them. Jacob is just delighted that he isn’t being killed by Esau. In the end Esau accepts the gifts.
33:12-17
While there is an apparently warm meeting between the two, there is still tension, and Jacob does not seem to fully trust Esau. Esau wants Jacob to journey with him. Jacob makes excuses that his camp is too tired and needs to take things easy. Esau then suggests that he leave some of his people with Jacob. This too is declined, and they end up going their separate ways.
33:18-20
Shechem was the first place named in relation to Abraham’s arrival in Canaan. The point of the mention of Jacob buying the land on which his tent was pitched is to emphasise the legitimate ownership of the land. As Abraham often did, Jacob erects an altar and calls it El-Elohe-Israel, which means “God, the God of Israel”.
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