Genesis – Chapter 33

Old Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the…" — so begins Genesis 33. The chapter centers on Esau, Jacob and Rachel. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the two handmaids.

2And he put both the handmaids and their children foremost: and Lia and her children in the second place: and Rachel and Joseph last.

3And he went forward and bowed down with his face to the ground seven times, until his brother came near.

4Then Esau ran to meet his brother, and embraced him: and clasping him fast about the neck, and kissing him, wept.

5And lifting up his eyes, he saw the women and their children, and said: What mean these? And do they belong to thee? He answered: They are the children which God hath given to me, thy servant.

6Then the handmaids and their children came near and bowed themselves.

7Lia also, with her children, came near and bowed down in like manner; and last of all, Joseph and Rachel bowed down.

8And Esau said: What are the droves that I met? He answered: That I might find favour before my lord.

9But he said: I have plenty, my brother, keep what is thine for thyself.

10And Jacob said: Do not so I beseech thee, but if I have found favour in thy eyes, receive a little present at my hands: for I have seen thy face, as if I should have seen the countenance of God: be gracious to me,

11And take the blessing which I have brought thee, and which God hath given me, who giveth all things. He took it with much ado at his brother's earnest pressing him,

12And said: Let us go on together, and I will accompany thee in thy journey.

13And Jacob said: My lord, thou knowest that I have with me tender children, and sheep, and kine with young: which if I should cause to be overdriven, in one day all the flocks will die.

14May it please my lord to go before his servant: and I will follow softly after him, as I shall see my children to be able, until I come to my lord in Seir.

15Esau answered: I beseech thee, that some of the people, at least, who are with me, may stay to accompany thee in the way. And he said: There is no necessity: I want nothing else but only to find favour, my lord, in thy sight.

16So Esau returned that day, the way that he came, to Seir.

17And Jacob came to Socoth: where having built a house, and pitched tents, he called the name of the place Socoth, that is, Tents.

18And he passed over to Salem, a city of the Sichemites, which is in the land of Chanaan, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria: and he dwelt by the town.

19And he bought that part of the field, in which he pitched his tents, of the children of Hemor, the father of Sichem, for a hundred lambs.

20And raising an altar there, he invoked upon it the most mighty God of Israel.

Important Verses in Genesis 33

And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the two handmaids.

Genesis 33:1

And lifting up his eyes, he saw the women and their children, and said: What mean these? And do they belong to thee? He answered: They are the children which God hath given to me, thy servant.

Genesis 33:5

And Esau said: What are the droves that I met? He answered: That I might find favour before my lord.

Genesis 33:8

And raising an altar there, he invoked upon it the most mighty God of Israel.

Genesis 33:20

Historical Context

Genesis belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs. Chapter 33 of 50 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Esau, Jacob, Rachel and Leah, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and…" It concludes: "And raising an altar there, he invoked upon it the most mighty God of Israel. " Read against its original backdrop, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Genesis 33 presents a concrete episode in the history of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the two handmaids." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2105).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Esau5 mentionsJacob4 mentionsRachel3 mentionsLeah3 mentionsJoseph2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 33 presents the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, a powerful narrative of forgiveness and healing. The Catechism teaches that reconciliation is central to Christian life and that we must forgive as we have been forgiven (CIC 2840-2845). Jacob's elaborate preparations and humble approach show genuine repentance for past wrongs.

Esau's unexpected embrace—running to meet Jacob, falling on his neck, and weeping—demonstrates the power of forgiveness to heal even deep wounds. The Church Fathers saw in this reunion a type of God's merciful welcome of repentant sinners. Jacob's words, "to see your face is like seeing the face of God," suggest that in Esau's forgiveness he experienced divine mercy.

The brothers' peaceful parting, each going his own way, shows that reconciliation does not always mean restored intimacy. Sometimes healing means releasing the past and allowing each party to move forward. This chapter teaches us that reconciliation is possible even after serious betrayal, that humble approach opens doors that pride keeps closed, and that forgiveness reflects the very nature of God.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 33 about?

Genesis 33 contains 20 verses. It opens with "And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and…" and closes with "And raising an altar there, he invoked upon it the most mighty God of Israel. ". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 33?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the two handmaids." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 33?

This chapter mentions Esau, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Joseph.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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