Jacob reunites with Esau (Genesis 33:1 – 33:20)
Jacob’s gift to Esau
Jacob’s offer of flocks and herds to Esau is initially refused. Only after Jacob insists that Esau accept the gifts does Esau reluctantly accept. The gifts Jacob offers Esau are obviously intended to solicit forgiveness for the wrongs Jacob imparted on Esau. It is as if Jacob is attempting to repay what he previously stole from his brother. In fact, the word the Bible uses to describe Jacob’s tribute to Esau means “blessing”. This suggests that Jacob indeed viewed the gifts as reparation for the theft of Esau’s blessing many years earlier.
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