Jacob, Joseph & Egypt

'Esav asked, "What was the meaning of this procession of droves I encountered?" and he answered, "It was to win my lord's favor."

'Esav replied, "I have plenty already; my brother, keep your possessions for yourself."

Ya'akov said, "No, please! If now I have won your favor, then accept my gift. Just seeing your face has been like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me.

So please accept the gift I have brought you, for God has dealt kindly with me and I have enough."Thus he urged him, until he accepted it.

'Esav said, "Let's break camp and get going. I'll go first."

Ya'akov said to him, "My lord knows that the children are small, and the sheep and cattle suckling their young concern me, because if they overdrive them even one day, all the flocks will die.

Instead, please, let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the cattle ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Se'ir."

'Esav replied, "Then let me leave with you some of the people I have with me." But Ya'akov said, "There's no need for my lord to be so kind to me."

So 'Esav left that day to return to Se'ir.

Ya'akov went on to Sukkot, where he built himself a house and put up shelters for his cattle. This is why the place is called Sukkot [shelters].

Having traveled from Paddan-Aram, Ya'akov arrived safely at the city of Sh'khem, in Kena'an, and set up camp near the city.

From the sons of Hamor Sh'khem's father he bought for one hundred pieces of silver the parcel of land where he had pitched his tent.

There he put up an altar, which he called El-Elohei-Yisra'el [God, the God of Isra'el].

One time Dinah the daughter of Le'ah, whom she had borne to Ya'akov, went out to visit the local girls;

and Sh'khem the son of Hamor the Hivi, the local ruler, saw her, grabbed her, raped her and humiliated her.

But actually he was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Ya'akov; he fell in love with the girl and tried to win her affection.

Sh'khem spoke with his father Hamor and said, "Get this girl for me; I want her to be my wife."

When Ya'akov heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter, his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Ya'akov restrained himself until they came.

Hamor the father of Sh'khem went out to Ya'akov to speak with him

just as Ya'akov's sons were coming in from the field. When they heard what had happened, the men were saddened and were very angry at the outrage this man had committed against Isra'el by raping Ya'akov's daughter, something that is simply not done.

But Hamor said to them, "My son Sh'khem's heart is set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife;

and intermarry with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.

You will live with us, and the land will be available to you - you'll live, do business and acquire possessions here."

Then Sh'khem said to her father and brothers, "Only accept me, and I will give whatever you tell me.

Ask as large a bride-price as you like, I'll pay whatever you tell me. Just let me marry the girl."