And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.

GENESIS 33:19KJV
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Genesis 33:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 33:19 mean?

Genesis 33:19 says that Jacob bought a piece of land near Shechem from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, paying one hundred pieces of money for it. This verse records Jacob’s first legal purchase of land after returning to Canaan, marking a significant step in settling in the land promised to his family.

Jacob is the main figure here, having just reconciled with his brother Esau and now settling down near the city of Shechem. By purchasing land from the local people, Jacob establishes a permanent presence in Canaan, rather than just passing through as a nomad. This act shows Jacob’s intent to settle and invest in the land, which is important for the unfolding story of his descendants.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 33:19

  • "Bought" (קָנָה, qanah): This word means to acquire or purchase, emphasizing that Jacob did not take the land by force but obtained it legally and openly.
  • "Parcel" (חֶלְקָה, chelqah): This term refers to a specific portion or plot of land, highlighting that Jacob’s purchase was a defined, limited area rather than a vague claim.
  • "Field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): This word means a cultivated field or open land, clarifying that Jacob bought farmland, not just empty wilderness.
  • "Money" (קְשִׂיטָה, qesitah): The word used for "money" here refers to a specific type of currency or weight, though its exact value is uncertain; it shows that the transaction was formal and recognized by the local people.

Why Genesis 33:19 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jacob was simply a wanderer; instead, he took concrete steps to settle in the land by purchasing property.
  • The legal purchase from the "children of Hamor" shows peaceful relations and mutual recognition between Jacob and the local inhabitants, rather than conflict or conquest.
  • This event connects to the larger story of God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants, showing an early fulfillment as Jacob’s family begins to take root in the land.

Where else these words appear

“money” Hebrew H7192 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
  • Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

“Hamor” Hebrew H2544 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
  • Genesis 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
  • Genesis 34:24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

“parcel” Hebrew H2513 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • 2 Samuel 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
  • Job 24:18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

“Shechem's” 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.