Keraia
Genesis 33

Genesis 33:16

Jacob Meets Esau · Genesis 33:1–17
Read Genesis 33

Translations

Modern
So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir,
Traditional
So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
Literal
And Esau turned back that day on his way to Seir.
Latin
Reversus est itaque illo die Esau itinere quo venerat in Seir.

Original

Hebrew
English
So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir,

Notes

Genesis 33:16–17

Jacob promised Esau he would follow him south to Seir, but he deceived him. Instead, Jacob went to Succoth, which is east of the Jordan River and north of the Jabbok.

Genesis 33:1–17

Jacob had long expected to meet his brother Esau, and the meeting turned out much better than he feared. Esau’s changed heart shows how “God fights” for his people (See 32:28). God works powerfully for his people when they trust him.

Earlier, Esau did not value his birthright (the rights and blessing of the firstborn son; 25:32–34). Now he no longer held on to old anger. Jacob understood that God had stepped in and changed the situation.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Jacob Symbolic Numbers

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom

Places

Seir: Region inhabited by Edomites, descendants of Esau

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Esau Genesis, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau Seir: Later Inhabited by the Descendants of Esau After They Destroyed the Horim People