And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.

GENESIS 33:18KJV
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Genesis 33:18 (KJV)

What does Genesis 33:18 mean?

Genesis 33:18 describes Jacob arriving safely at the city of Shalem, which is part of Shechem in the land of Canaan, after his journey from Padanaram, and setting up his tent outside the city. This marks Jacob's return to the land promised to his ancestors and his settling near a significant Canaanite city.

Jacob is the main figure here, and the verse records his arrival after years away from Canaan, following his reconciliation with his brother Esau. The verse situates Jacob geographically and signals a transition from his travels to establishing himself in the land, setting the stage for the events that follow in Shechem.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 33:18

  • שָׁלֵם (Shalem, transliterated "Shalem") can mean "peace" or "complete," but here it is used as a place name, possibly indicating a specific area or the general state of arrival—safe and whole.
  • שְׁכֶם (Shechem, transliterated "Shekhem") is both a city and a region, and its mention connects Jacob to a well-known location in Canaan, important in later biblical history.
  • פָּדַן אֲרָם (Padanaram, transliterated "Padan-aram") refers to the region Jacob left, highlighting the long journey and the fulfillment of his return to Canaan.

Why Genesis 33:18 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jacob did not immediately settle in the heart of a Canaanite city but instead camped outside, which becomes important for understanding later events involving his family and the people of Shechem.
  • This verse marks the fulfillment of God's earlier promises to Jacob about returning safely to Canaan, tying together themes of journey, promise, and settlement.
  • Naming both Shalem and Shechem helps readers track the geography of Jacob's journey and sets up the narrative context for the next chapter, where events in Shechem become central.

Where else these words appear

“Shalem” Hebrew H8004 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
  • Psalms 76:2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

“Padanaram” Hebrew H6307 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
  • Genesis 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
  • Genesis 35:9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

“Shechem” Hebrew H7927 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Joshua 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.

“Canaan” Hebrew H3667 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
  • Genesis 45:25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
  • Numbers 35:14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.