MPV Commentary

12. Esau proposed to accompany Jacob and his family through the country as a mark of friendship and an escort to guard them. However, this proposal was prudently declined. Jacob did not need any worldly state or equipage. The brothers were so different in spirit, character, and habits that there was great risk of something occurring to disturb the harmony. Jacob's excuse for the tardiness of his movements was reasonable, and the brothers parted in peace.

14. It seems Jacob intended to visit his brother in Seir by passing around the Dead Sea, then go to Beer-sheba to see Isaac. However, he changed his plan, and it is not recorded whether this intention was carried out then or at a future time.

17. Jacob arrived in Canaan and stopped at Succoth, which means "booths." This was the first station where Jacob halted on his arrival in Canaan. His descendants later built a city there called Succoth to commemorate their ancestor's experience of dwelling in booths as a Syrian ready to perish (Deuteronomy 26:5).

18. Shalem is interpreted as "peace," possibly indicating that Jacob arrived safely at the city Shechem, a tribute to God who had promised such a return (Genesis 28:15). However, most writers take Shalem as a proper name, referring to a city of Shechem. A little farther down in the valley below Shechem, Jacob bought a parcel of land.

19. He paid one hundred pieces of money for this field, which were likely coins featuring a lamb on them.

20. As a conclusion to his journey and a lasting memorial of God's favor, Jacob erected an altar in the name "God, the God of Israel."