Jacob journeyed to Succoth A place afterward known by that name, in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan; here he rested for the present, set up booths for his cattle, and built a house; doubtless some slight building, because he intended not to stay there; with other conveniences for himself and family. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth That is, booths, that when his posterity afterward dwelt in houses of stone, they might remember that the Syrian, ready to perish, was their father, who was glad of booths, Deuteronomy 26:5.
Genesis 33:18. Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem Or rather, as the Hebrew may be rendered, he came safe, or in peace, to the city of Shechem. After a perilous journey, in which he had met with many difficulties, he came safe at last into Canaan. He bought a parcel of a field For his present possession and use; for the right which he already had to it was only in reversion, after the time that God had appointed. Of the children of Hamor That is, subjects, called children, to signify the duty which they owed to him, and the care and affection he owed to them. Shechem's father He only of Hamor's sons is mentioned, because he was more honourable than the rest of his brethren, (Genesis 34:19,) and so might probably transact this affair with Jacob, the rest consenting thereto.