And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and [his] border, [even] unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, [even] threescore and seventeen men.
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Commentary for Genesis 33:17
Genesis 33:17 is a verse from the Old Testament that captures a moment in the life of Jacob, who is a key patriarch in the Israelite lineage. The verse occurs within the larger narrative of Jacob's return to the land of Canaan after many years of living with and working for his uncle Laban in Haran.
**Themes:**
1. **Homecoming and Reconciliation:** Jacob's journey back to Canaan marks a significant moment of return and reconciliation, especially after his previous departure under strained circumstances following his deception of his brother Esau. The act of building a house and booths signifies a transition from a sojourner to a settled resident, indicating stability and establishment in the land.
2. **Providence and Blessing:** The verse reflects the theme of divine providence as Jacob, having been blessed by God and reconciled with his brother, now prospers enough to build a home and provide for his livestock. This prosperity is seen as a fulfillment of the promises made to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.
3. **Naming and Identity:** The naming of the place "Succoth," meaning "booths," is indicative of the biblical practice of naming places as a way of memorializing events, thus anchoring the identity of the place in its historical significance.
**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The event takes place during the Patriarchal period, which is roughly estimated to be around the early second millennium BCE. This era is characterized by the stories of the founding fathers of Israel, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- **Cultural Practices:** The building of booths for cattle reflects the pastoral lifestyle common in the ancient Near East, where nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples relied on their livestock for their livelihood and often lived in temporary dwellings.
- **Geographical Significance:** Succoth was located in the region of the Jordan Valley, an area that would later become significant in the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. The mention of Succoth in later biblical texts suggests its ongoing importance in the collective memory of the Israelite people.
In summary, Genesis 33:17 encapsulates themes of homecoming, divine blessing, and the establishment of identity through the act of naming. It reflects the historical context of the Patriarchal era, with its pastoral lifestyle and geographical significance, while also serving as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob and the unfolding story of the Israelite nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H3290 There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יַעֲקֹב Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe' Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
Strong's Number: H5265 There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: נָסַע Transliteration: nâçaʻ Pronunciation: naw-sah' Description: a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way.
Strong's Number: H5523 There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: סֻכּוֹת Transliteration: Çukkôwth Pronunciation: sook-kohth' Description: or סֻכֹּת; plural of סֻכָּה; booths; Succoth, the name of a place in Egypt and of three in Palestine; Succoth.
Strong's Number: H1129 There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בָּנָה Transliteration: bânâh Pronunciation: baw-naw' Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
Strong's Number: H1004 There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בַּיִת Transliteration: bayith Pronunciation: bah'-yith Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
Strong's Number: H6213 There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָשָׂה Transliteration: ʻâsâh Pronunciation: aw-saw' Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
Strong's Number: H5521 There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: סֻכָּה Transliteration: çukkâh Pronunciation: sook-kaw' Description: feminine of סֹךְ; a hut or lair; booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent.
Strong's Number: H4735 There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִקְנֶה Transliteration: miqneh Pronunciation: mik-neh' Description: from קָנָה; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition; cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance.
Strong's Number: H8034 There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שֵׁם Transliteration: shêm Pronunciation: shame Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
Strong's Number: H4725 There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מָקוֹם Transliteration: mâqôwm Pronunciation: maw-kome' Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
Strong's Number: H7121 There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קָרָא Transliteration: qârâʼ Pronunciation: kaw-raw' Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.