Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Genesis 33

We read, in the former chapter, how Jacob had power with God, and prevailed; here we find what power he had with men too, and how his brother Esau was mollified, and, on a sudden, reconciled to him; for so it is written, Proverbs 16:7; “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Here is, I. A very friendly meeting between Jacob and Esau, Genesis 33:1-33:4. II. Their conference at their meeting, in which they vie with each other in civil and kind expressions. Their discourse is, 1. About Jacob’s family, Genesis 33:5-33:7. 2. About the present he had sent, Genesis 33:8-33:11. 3. About the progress of their journey, Genesis 33:12-33:15. III. Jacob’s settlement in Canaan, his house, ground, and altar, Genesis 33:16-33:20. MHBCC 34.1