logical interpretation. He considers the wrestling to symbolise a victory of the invading Israelites over the inhabitants of N Gilead. The change of name reflects the fact that a new nation (Israel) arose from the fusion of the Jacob and Rachel tribes (Einw. 61 f.).
Ch. XXXIII.—The Meeting of the Brothers: Jacob's March to Shechem (JE, P).
The dreaded meeting at last takes place; the brothers are reconciled, and part in friendship; Esau returning to Seir, while Jacob moves on by slow stages first to Succoth and then to Shechem.—It is difficult to characterise the spirit in which the main incident is conceived. Was Esau's purpose friendly from the first, or was he turned from thoughts of vengeance by Jacob's submissive and flattering demeanour? Does the writer regard the reconciliation as equally honourable to both parties, or does he only admire the skill and knowledge of human nature with which Jacob tames his brother's ferocity? The truth probably lies between two extremes. That Esau's intention was hostile, and that Jacob gained a diplomatic victory over him, cannot reasonably be doubted. On the other hand, the narrator must be acquitted of a desire to humiliate Esau. If he was vanquished by generosity, the noblest qualities of manhood were released in him; and he displays a chivalrous magnanimity which no appreciative audience could ever have held in contempt. So far as any national feeling is reflected, it is one of genuine respect and goodwill towards the Edomites.
Sources.—Vv.1-17 are rightly assigned in the main to J, in spite of the
fact that the only divine name which occurs is (
Hebrew characters), in 5b. 10. 11. In these
vv. we must recognise the hand of E (cf. also 5b with 489, and 10b with
3221); and, for all that appears, E's influence may extend further. The
chief indications, however, both material and linguistic, point to J as the
leading source: the 400 men (327), the 'camp' in v.8 (328), and the expressions:
(Hebrew characters), 1. 2. 6; (Hebrew characters), 4; (Hebrew characters), 8. 10. 15; (Hebrew characters), 10. The documents
are so deftly interwoven that it is scarcely possible to detect a
flaw in the continuity of the narrative.—18-20 are probably from E, except
18a(Greek characters), which is taken from P (see on the vv. below).
1-7. The meeting.—1, 2. Jacob's fears revive at sight
2. (Hebrew characters) . . . (Hebrew characters)] G (Greek characters) . . . (Greek characters); S (Syriac characters) . . . (Syriac characters).
