33 Then Ya’akov (Jacob) raised his head and looked ahead, and wow, Esav (Esau) was coming towards him along with his four hundred men. Then Ya’akov quickly divided the children among Le’ah and Rahel (Rachel) and their two female slaves, 2 and he put the slave women and their children first, and then Le’ah and her children after them, and finally Rahel and Yosef (Joseph) after them. 3 Then he himself went ahead of them, and he bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esav ran forward to meet him and embraced him and threw his arms around his neck and kissed him, and they both cried together. 5 Then Esav looked up and saw the women and the children, and asked, “Who are these others with you?”

“The children that God has graciously given to your servant,” Ya’akov replied. 6 Then the two female slaves approached with their children, and they bowed down. 7 Next Le’ah also approached with her children, and they bowed down. Then after that, Yosef and Rahel approached, and they bowed down.

8 Then Esav asked, “What were all these groups that I met?”

“To win my master’s favour,” Ya’akov replied.

9 “I’ve got plenty, my brother,” said Esav. “Keep what belongs to you.”

10 “No, please,” Ya’akov insisted. “If I’ve won your favour, then take my gifts. Because indeed, I’ve seen you face-to-face, which is like seeing God’s face, and you’ve received me favourably. 11 Please take my gifts that were brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have way more than I need.”

And he urged him, so Esav took it 12 and said, “Okay, let’s get moving and go, and I’ll go ahead of you.”

13 But Ya’akov replied, “My master knows that the children are tender plus I have flocks and herds with young animals. If they drive them harder today, then all the flocks will die. 14 Please let my master go on before his servant, and I’ll lead them on at my gentle pace—at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children—until I come to my master’s place in Se’ir.”

15 “At least let me leave some of my men with you all,” said Esav.

“Why do that?” contradicted Ya’akov. “May my master allow me to decide.” 16 So Esav and his men started heading home to Se’ir, 17 but Ya’akov travelled to Sukot where he built a house for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That’s why he named the place ‘Sukot’ (which means ‘shelters’).