Genesis 33:18

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 33:18

Genesis 33:18. 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 accidents through his journey, at the city of Shalem, &c. The sacred writer does not inform us when he arrived there, or whither he went during the time his family stayed at Succoth;... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 33:18

18. Shalem—that is, "peace"; and the meaning may be that Jacob came into Canaan, arriving safe and sound at the city Shechem—a tribute to Him who had promised such a return (compare Genesis 28:15). But most writers take Shalem as a proper name—a city of Shechem, and the site is marked by one of the little villages about two miles to the northeast. A little farther in the valley below Shechem "he bought a parcel of a field," thus being the first of the patriarchs who became a proprietor of land... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 33:18-20

Jacob then crossed the Jordan River and moved his family into the land of Canaan. He chose Shechem ("peaceful") as his home. By purchasing land there he showed that he regarded Canaan as his permanent home and the home of his seed. The Israelites eventually buried Joseph at Shechem (Joshua 24:32). Shechem was only about a mile from the Sychar of Jesus’ day (cf. John 4:5; John 4:12).God had granted Jacob’s request by bringing him safely back into the Promised Land (cf. Genesis 28:20-21). As he... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:1-20

1-16.Jacob and Esau meet peaceably.17-20. Jacob settles in Canaan.3. Bowed seven times] in token of submission to Esau. 4. Jacob’s prayer (Genesis 32:11) is answered, and Esau, whatever his original purpose, now shows his brother only goodwill and affection. 10. I have seen thy face, etc.] i.e. I find thee as favourable to me as God is, alluding, no doubt, to the name Peniel (Genesis 32:30).11. My blessing] RV ’my gift’: the present which accompanied expressions of good-will. So Naaman said to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 33:1-20

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 33:18

(18) Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem.—The Sam. Pent. has shalom,”safe”; but shalem is right, and means whole, sound. Onkelos, however, followed by most modern commentators, renders it in peace, but this too would not mean peaceably, but that his troubles were now at an end, and his lameness cured. Philippsohn’s rendering, however, is more exact, namely, wohlbehalten, in good condition. Rashi also, no mean authority, sees in it an allusion to the cure of Jacob’s lameness. As Shechem was... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 33:1-20

Genesis 33:0 'And he had a fine revenge; but when Jacob, on his journey, heard that his brother was near with 400 men, and made division of his flocks and herds, his man-servants and maid-servants, impetuous as a swollen hill-torrent, the fierce son of the desert, baked red with Syrian light, leapt down upon him, and fell on his neck, and wept. And Esau said, "What meanest thou by all this drove which I met?" And Jacob said, "These are to find grace in the sight of my Lord"; then Esau said, "I... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 33:1-20

CHAPTER 33 The Reconciliation of Esau 1. Jacob meets Esau (Genesis 33:1-17 ) 2. In the city of Shechem and the altar erected (Genesis 33:18-20 ) The reconciliation is effected, but Jacob is the same man of deceit. He tells his brother he will follow him to Seir. But he goes instead to Succoth. He built an altar there, but it is not the worship God expected. He should have gone to Bethel and fulfilled his vow. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 33:1-20

THE BROTHERS MEET AGAIN Jacob's trepidation is not eased when he sees that Esau has passed by all the droves and is coming with his four hundred men to meet Jacob. He even divides his family at this time, putting the maids and their children first, then Leah and her children, followed by Rachel and Joseph, for whom he was plainly the most concerned (vs.1-2). Now he must meet Esau, and with a servility that is not becoming to a brother, he bows himself seven times to the ground (v.3). Of... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 33:1-20

JACOB BECOMES ISRAEL MEETING WITH THE ANGELS (32:1-2) Filled with wonders is this lesson! The appearance of the angels, the divine wrestling, the transformation of Esau how much we need the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning of these things! Be sure to identify these places: Galeed or Mizpah of the preceding chapter, and Mahanaim, Peniel and the river Jabbok named in this, are all on the east of the Jordan, not far from what was known later as Ramoth- Gilead. How condescending of God to... read more

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