Gênesis 33
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Gênesis 33
NJB (follows MT versing) CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter includes mostly dialogue (note TEV translation). The term "say" (BDB 55, KB 65) is used ten times. This dialogue format has several commands/requests. "let what you have be your own," Gen. 33:9, BDB 224, KB 243, Qal JUSSIVE "please take my gifts," Gen. 33:11 BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE "let us take our journey," Gen. 33:12, BDB 652, KB 704, Qal COHORTATIVE "go" (twice), Gen. 33:12, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal COHORTATIVE same as #4 "please let my lord pass on before his servant," Gen. 33:14, BDB 716, KB 778, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense "I will proceed at my leisure," Gen. 33:14, BDB 624, KB 675, Hithpael COHORTATIVE "please let me leave with you some of my people who are with me," Gen. 33:15, BDb 426, KB 427, Hiphil COHORTATIVE "let me find favor in the sight of my lord," Gen. 33:15, BDB 592, KB 619, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense Jacob has faced his fears. Laban the angelic wrestler Esau Jacob is back in the Promised Land (Canaan). The divine promises of Bethel have been fulfilled. The covenant promises to Abraham and his seed continue (i.e., the eternal redemptive plan is on track).
Gênesis 33:1-3
33:2 Notice the distinction in the family. The lesser wives and children go first, his favorites go last (i.e., Rachel and Joseph). Things have changed in Jacob's heart, however, and he goes before them all (cf. Gen. 33:3). If they are to be killed, he will be killed first. He still strategizes, but he now trusts in YHWH's presence and promised protection. 33:3 "bowed down" This VERB (BDB 1005, KB 295, Hishtaphel IMPERFECT with waw) is repeated four times. Jacob bows before Esau, Gen. 33:3 the maids and their children bow before Esau, Gen. 33:6 Leah and her children bow before Esau, Gen. 33:7 Rachel and her child bow before Esau, Gen. 33:7 ▣ "seven times" This was a gesture of submission (i.e., El Amarna Letters, 14th century B.C.). SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4
Gênesis 33:12-14
33:13 One wonders if this was another way for Jacob to make Esau feel superior, as well as an excuse for not traveling with him back to Seir immediately. His children were not "weak" and the flocks had already traveled a long way. Is Jacob still a manipulative liar?
Gênesis 33:15-17
33:15 "people" This is the term goi (BDB 766 I), which usually has a negative connotation referring to Gentiles, but here it is used of Esau's men and in Exod. 33:13 it refers to the people of God. Context, context, context determines word meaning, not lexicons! Words have meaning only in sentences; sentences have meaning only in paragraphs/strophe or stanzas; and these have meaning only in larger literary units. Be careful of "set" or "technical" definitions! 33:17 "Succoth" This term (BDB 697) means "booths." Jacob built a shelter for himself, but this is called a "house" (BDB 108), but note Gen. 33:19. He also built "booths" (BDB 697, i.e., a shelter made from branches) for his animals. It is uncertain if there was a village in this area before Jacob camped there. It will later become the name of a city (cf. Jdgs. 8:5). This is not the same as the Succoth located in the Egyptian delta (cf. Exod. 12:37; Num. 33:5). This is a city on the east side of the Jordan (i.e., The MacMillan Bible Atlas, p. 22). One more point, Jacob does not seem to follow Esau to Mt. Seir, but travels to Succoth, which is not on the way to Seir/Edom. He even builds a house! It is uncertain if the text is telling us that (1) this was purposeful or (2) simply omits Jacob's visit to Seir. I prefer option #2. I want to believe Jacob has truly changed, that he is no longer the trickster, manipulator, liar.
Gênesis 33:18-20
33:18 "Shechem" The name can refer to a person's name, Gen. 33:18,19; 34:2; Num. 26:31; Jos. 17:2; 24:32; Jdg. 9:28 a topological region between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerazim. The same root (BDB 1014 I) means "shoulder" or "shoulder-blade." a city, Jos. 20:7; 21:21; 24:1; Jdg. 8:31 It is first mentioned in Gen. 12:6 in connection with Abram and now with Jacob (cf. Gen. 37:14). There is no apparent connection between Gen. 33:17 and Gen. 33:18. How long Jacob stayed at Succoth is not recorded. They seem to be two separate events and times recorded with no clear connection. From building a house to buying land may imply temporary to permanent residence. The only problem is that Gen. 33:18 seems to imply soon after Jacob arrived from Paddan-aram (area around Haran) he bought the land. He was told to return to Bethel, but he stopped short and remained. Why is not stated in the text! 33:19 "He bought the piece of land where he had pitched his tent" The act of buying a field implied residency or at least shows legal residency. ▣ "Hamor" This name means "ass" (BDB 331 II). In the ancient world donkeys were considered sacred animals. We know this, not only from the Mari Tablets, but also from the fact that the wealthy rode donkeys (cf. Jdgs. 5:10) Israel's kings rode on a special donkey for their royal mount (i.e., 1 Kgs. 1:33) ▣ "for one hundred pieces of money" This is a rare Hebrew term, קשׂיטה, qesitah (BDB 903). It is an unknown weight of metal (cf. Jos. 24:32; Job 42:11), possibly the price of a lamb (LXX) a weight (mina) of metal in the shape (or imprint) of a lamb 33:20 "he erected there an altar" This designated a place, time, and manner of worshiping. It allowed prayer and sacrifice to be offered to YHWH (cf. Gen. 8:20; 12:7-8; 13:18; 22:9; 26:25). This is a fulfillment of YHWH's promise of Gen. 28:15! The IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 66, has a good comment on v. 20. "Altars function as sacrificial platforms. Their construction can also mark the introduction of the worship of a particular god in a new land. One tie between the generations of covenantal leaders is their construction of altars in order to worship Yahweh in the Promised Land (12:7-8; 13:18; 26:25). The name given to Jacob/Israel's altar, 'El Elohe Israel,' is an acknowledgment of his own name change and his acceptance of the role of covenantal heir that had been promised at Bethel (28:13-15). For another example of naming an altar, see Exodus 17:15." ▣ "El-Elohe-Israel" This CONSTRUCT is made up of El, BDB 42, cf. Exod. 34:6; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A. Elohe, BDB 43, cf. Deut. 32:15,17; Ps. 18:32 Israel, see SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) The Septuagint translates it as "the God of Israel." The Jewish Study Bible, using the JPSOA translation in its textual footnote, has "El, God of Israel" (p. 69).