Genesis 32:1 - 35:29
Jacob sent messengers ahead to tell Esau, "I've got lots of presents if you've chilled out", which he didn't think was likely. So he sent his herds along, then his family, but then he got into an epic fight when he was alone. His opponent was impressed, and nicknamed him Israel, but also messed up his leg something awful.
The next day, they finally met up with Esau, who was happy to see Jacob, and there were introductions all around. Esau tried not to accept the gifts, because he'd been doing well, but eventually he relented. Esau went home to Seir, and Jacob settled at Succoth and at Shalem.
Dinah went out, and Prince Shechem knew her, and his father Hamor went to Jacob to arrange a marriage. But Jacob's sons, angry that Shechem had got the order of things wrong, said, "No way; you - all of you - have to be circumcised." So Shechem and Hamor, being princes, convinced the men of the city. Before they had a chance to recover, Simeon and Levi - Dinah's full brothers - killed the men, and took all their stuff. Jacob said, "Great... now you've made the neighbors angry. I don't like them when they're angry." Simeon and Levi said, "Well, they shouldn't have done our sister like that, then!"
God told Jacob that it would be a good idea to go back up to Bethel. So everyone gathered up their idols and earrings to bury, and off they went to build an altar. God showed up, and said, "I like this 'Israel' thing; let's go with that instead of Jacob now. You're getting the whole multitudes-of-descendants deal, and the land, and you'll sire kings, too." Jacob said, "Hey, cool! Have a pillar."
Everyone headed for Bethelehem, but on the way Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin. After they'd arrived, Reuben hooked up with Billah (Rachel's handmaid, mother of Dan and Naphthali). Remember that Jacob had 12 sons. Everyone made it to Hebron in time to see Isaac before he died.
The next day, they finally met up with Esau, who was happy to see Jacob, and there were introductions all around. Esau tried not to accept the gifts, because he'd been doing well, but eventually he relented. Esau went home to Seir, and Jacob settled at Succoth and at Shalem.
Dinah went out, and Prince Shechem knew her, and his father Hamor went to Jacob to arrange a marriage. But Jacob's sons, angry that Shechem had got the order of things wrong, said, "No way; you - all of you - have to be circumcised." So Shechem and Hamor, being princes, convinced the men of the city. Before they had a chance to recover, Simeon and Levi - Dinah's full brothers - killed the men, and took all their stuff. Jacob said, "Great... now you've made the neighbors angry. I don't like them when they're angry." Simeon and Levi said, "Well, they shouldn't have done our sister like that, then!"
God told Jacob that it would be a good idea to go back up to Bethel. So everyone gathered up their idols and earrings to bury, and off they went to build an altar. God showed up, and said, "I like this 'Israel' thing; let's go with that instead of Jacob now. You're getting the whole multitudes-of-descendants deal, and the land, and you'll sire kings, too." Jacob said, "Hey, cool! Have a pillar."
Everyone headed for Bethelehem, but on the way Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin. After they'd arrived, Reuben hooked up with Billah (Rachel's handmaid, mother of Dan and Naphthali). Remember that Jacob had 12 sons. Everyone made it to Hebron in time to see Isaac before he died.