_THE FRIENDLY MEETING OF JACOB AND ESAU. ESAU AT FIRST REFUSES, BUT, BEING URGED, ACCEPTS HIS BROTHER'S PRESENT. ESAU RETURNS TO SEIR. JACOB GOES TO SUCCOTH, AND PURCHASES A FIELD OF THE SONS OF HAMOR._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JACOB LIFTED UP, &C.— It is not said how long time after the event recorded at the end of the former chapter it was that this interview happened: Esau's behaviour is extremely affecting and tender; and the tears of love which flowed from both the brothers' eyes do credit to their feelings. Esau'... [ Continue Reading ]
EMBRACED HIM, AND FELL ON HIS NECK, AND KISSED HIM— They who are more _intimately_ acquainted, or of _equal_ age or dignity, among the Easterns, mutually kiss the _hand,_ the _head,_ or _shoulder_ of each other. Dr. Shaw, in his learned _Observations on Scripture,_ p. 237, has not applied _this_ obs... [ Continue Reading ]
NAY, I PRAY THEE, &C.— Houbigant translates this verse, "Not so, I pray thee. If I am in any favour with thee, thou wilt receive this present at my hand, (for I have seen thy face, as if I had seen the face of God,) and thou wilt accept me;" i.e._._ thou wilt receive my present as a token of my love... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL I COME UNTO MY LORD, &C.— Jacob declines the offer of Esau's or his servants' attendance, as his large train could move but slow, especially the cattle and younger children, and promises a visit to Esau in convenient time; but as the Scripture mentions not this visit, some have supposed that J... [ Continue Reading ]
JOURNEYED TO SUCCOTH, &C.— From the _booths_ or _tents_ which Jacob pitched here the place was called Succoth. It lay on the east of the river Jordan, and was not far from it.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME TO SHALEM, &C.— Onkelos and the Arabic version render this, _He came in peace and safety to the city Shalem,_ &c. Mr. Chais has it, _sain et sauf;_ and this, perhaps, is the best translation; informing us, that after Jacob had left Padan-aram, he arrived _in health and peace, and without accide... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HUNDRED PIECES OF MONEY— Or, _lambs._ There was a coin in those days, which was afterwards used among the Jews, called by the name of its print, which was a _lamb._... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ERECTED THERE AN ALTAR— At the same place where Abraham had built his first altar, ch. Genesis 12:7. Abraham dedicated his, _To Jehovah appearing to him;_ Jacob his, _To God, the God of Israel,_ which was the new name that God had given him. The place was at or near Shechem; so that the woman of... [ Continue Reading ]