1 Jacob lifted his eyes and saw—and behold, Esau was coming with four hundred men; so he divided {vayachats: split into groups} the children {hayeladim: sons and dependents} among Leah, among Rachel, and among the two maidservants.
2 And he placed the maidservants {shifchah: household servant} and their children at the front, and Leah and her children behind them, and Rachel and Joseph at the back {acharonim: final position}.
3 And he {hu: Jacob in command} went ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground {artsah: full prostration} seven times, until he drew near to his brother.
4 But Esau {Esav: long-separated brother} ran out to greet him, embraced him, fell upon his neck, and kissed him {nashaq: sign of reconciliation}; and they wept.
5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and he said, “Who are these to you?” And he said, “The children whom God {Elohim, Gracious Giver} has graciously given to your servant {avdecha: position of humility}.”
6 And the female servants {shifakhot: household workers} and their children approached and bowed down {hishtachaveh: deep respectful bow}.
7 Then Leah {leah: weary matriarch} also came near with her children, and they bowed down {vayishtakhavu: full prostration}. Afterward Joseph and Rachel approached, and they bowed down.
8 And he said, “What is the meaning of this whole camp {machaneh: traveling caravan} that I met {pagashti: encountered earlier}?” And he said, “To find favor in the eyes of my lord.”
9 But Esau said, “I have plenty {rav: abundant wealth}, my brother. Let what is yours remain yours {yehi: firmly left yours}.”
10 But Jacob said, “Please, if I have found favor {chen: gracious acceptance} in your eyes, receive my gift from my hand; for I have looked upon your face as one looks upon the face of God {Elohim, Powerful Reconciler}, and you have accepted me.”
11 Please receive my blessing {berakhah: gift of favor} that has been brought to you, because God {Elohim, Generous Sustainer} has shown me favor and I lack nothing. Then Jacob pressed Esau, and he took it.
12 And he said, “Let us set out {nisah: depart together} and go on, and I will travel ahead of you {lenegdekha: in front of you}.”
13 And he said to him, “My lord knows that the children are vulnerable {rakkim: fragile, easily harmed}, and the flock and cattle nursing {alot: with young} are in my care; if they are pressed hard for even one day, then the entire flock will die.”
14 Let my lord {adoni: respected master} go on before his servant, and I will follow at a measured pace, matching the livestock {melaakhah: herd-driving work} before me and the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.
15 And Esau said, “Please let me leave with you some of the people {haam: accompanying retinue} who are with me.” But Jacob said, “Why is this? Let me find favor {emtsa-chen: welcome acceptance} in the eyes of my lord.”
16 So Esau {Esav: brother of Jacob} returned that day to his way {derekh: personal journey} toward Seir.
17 And Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth {sukkot: place of shelters}; he built a house for himself and for his livestock he made shelters {sukkot: temporary booths}. Therefore he called the name of the place Sukkoth.
18 And Jacob {Ya'aqov: returning pilgrim} came whole and safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-Aram, and he camped before the face {penei: outward edge} of the city.
19 And he purchased the tract {chelkat: measured tract} of the field where he had pitched his tent, obtaining it from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for a hundred kesitah {kesitah: ancient currency}.
20 And he set up there an altar {mizbeach: dedicated worship site} and called it El-Elohe-Israel {El-Elohe-Israel: Faithful Protector}.