What does Genesis 33:12 mean?
Twenty years prior, Jacob and Esau had a falling-out that caused Jacob to flee for his life (Genesis 27:41–45). Now, the twin brothers have been reunited, apparently without hard feelings on the part of Esau (Genesis 33:4). Questions of revenge and bitterness have seemingly been resolved. Esau has accepted Jacob and has received his large gift (Genesis 32:13–17) as a blessing.Now Esau invites Jacob to travel with him back to his home in Seir in the region of Edom. Jacob's response will be to plead for rest for his caravan. He will suggest that Esau and his men go on ahead, and that Jacob will continue behind them until reaching Seir (Genesis 33:13–14). Jacob, however, won't go to Seir, instead heading to Succoth, which is literally in the opposite direction (Genesis 33:17).
Genesis 33:12–20 records Jacob's large company settling near the city of Shechem. Esau asks Jacob to travel back to Seir with him, but Jacob asks to come along later. Instead of following Esau, Jacob takes his caravan through Succoth. They eventually arrive near Shechem. There, Jacob buys land and settles in. In the next chapter, this will become the site of one of the ugliest episodes in Israel's young history.
All the preparations to meet Esau have been made. Jacob has both the promise of the Lord's protection and a plan. Now the moment comes. Jacob approaches, repeatedly bowing low, until Esau finally runs to embrace and kiss his brother. They weep together. Esau meets Jacob's family. Though he initially refuses Jacob's enormous gift, Jacob urges him to take it as a sign of Esau's favor for him. Jacob soon buys land and sets up camp outside the city of Shechem, building an altar to the Lord there.
