1740 Quest.
1. Why went he thither? Answ. Partly by his own choice, that wild and mountainous country being very commodious for hunting, to which he wholly addicted himself; partly by his wives persuasions, who were both utterly averse from cohabitation with Isaac or Jacob, and strongly inclined to their own country; but principally from the secret conduct of Divine Providence, thus accomplishing his promises. See Joshua 24:4 Zechariah 1:3. Quest.
2. When went he thither? Answ. He went thither before this time in discontent at his parents, and dwelt in Seir before Jacob's return to Canaan, as appears from Genesis 32:3, Genesis 33:14,16; yet so as he came sometimes to Canaan, and to his father's house, and did not quit his interest in his father's estate. But when his father was dead, and Jacob and he agreed about the partition of the estate, he did totally and finally forsake Canaan, partly, for the reason here following; partly, for the other reasons now alleged; and partly, to avoid all occasion both of communication and contention with his brother.