Jacob’s Wrestling Match

In commenting on the story of Jacob and Esau, Elie Wiesel refers in passing to “the traditional teaching that portrays Esau as Jacob’s implacable enemy for all time” (“Supporting Roles: Esau,” BR 14:02). The relevant verse in Genesis is 27:41, which comes just after Jacob has defrauded his brother of his inheritance: Wayyistom ‘esaw ‘et ya’aqob ‘al habberakah, translated in the King James Version “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing.”

The tradition that defines Esau by eternal hatred remains alive to this day, not least in Israel itself, but Genesis permits more than one reading of the relationship between Jacob and Esau. Yes, after Jacob’s theft of the inheritance, Esau does hate his brother, but the hatred does not last forever.

When, after 14 years in exile, Jacob returns to the land promised him by his father, he fears a violent confrontation with the brother who has never left the land. Hoping to make amends, Jacob sends ahead lavish gifts, and his generosity seems to succeed. Initially reluctant, Esau finally accepts the gifts and even suggests that the brothers thenceforth journey together. But Jacob declines this offer. He tells Esau to journey on to Seir and promises to join him there later after resting his flocks. After Esau departs, Jacob, unsurprisingly, sets out for Shechem instead.