Study Desk

But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

But Jacob said, "No, I ask of you, if I have found favor in your eyes, then receive my gift. For I see your face as one sees the face of God. You have received me with favor.

Take my gift that has been brought to you. For God has shown loving-kindness to me, and I have all I need." So he begged him until he took it.

But Jacob traveled to Succoth. He built his house there, and put up small buildings for his animals. So the name of the place is Succoth.

He bought the piece of land where he had put up his tents for one hundred pieces of money from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father.

He had much desire for Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the girl and spoke kind words to her.

So Shechem said to his father Hamor, "Get me this young girl for a wife."

Jacob's sons returned from the field when they heard what had happened. They were full of sorrow and were angry. For Shechem had put Israel to shame by lying with Jacob's daughter. Such a thing should not be done.

But Hamor said to them, "The soul of my son Shechem has much desire for your daughter. I ask of you, give her to him in marriage.

Marry with our people. Give your daughters to us. And take our daughters for yourselves.

They said to them, "We cannot do this. We cannot give our sister to one who has not gone through the religious act of having his flesh cut. For that would be a shame to us.

"These men want to be at peace with us. Let them live in the land and trade in it. For, see, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them.

And while she was suffering, the woman who was helping her said to her, "Do not be afraid. For now you have another son."

As Rachel's soul was leaving, for she died, she gave him the name Benoni. But his father gave him the name Benjamin.

For they owned too much for them to live together. The land where they were staying could not keep them alive, because of all their animals.

The sons of Zibeon are Aiah and Anah. He is the Anah who found the hot water well in the desert when he was caring for the donkeys of his father Zibeon.

This is the story of the children of Jacob and of their children. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was caring for the flock with his brothers. The boy was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph told his father about how bad they were.

Then his brothers said to him, "Are you going to be our king? Are you going to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for what he said.

A man found him walking through a field, and asked him, "What are you looking for?"

Joseph said, "I am looking for my brothers. Tell me where they are feeding the flock."