Jubilees 38:1
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The next day, Jacob and his sons went up to Mount Seir and buried Esau. Then they returned to their own land.
REF And on the following day they buried Esau in the land of Seir.
Translator's Introduction
What This Chapter Is About
The war concludes. Esau is buried on Mount Seir. The Edomites become tributaries of Jacob's sons. The subjugation fulfills Isaac's prophecy.
What Makes This Chapter Remarkable
Esau's death in battle completes the unique war narrative. The subjugation of Edom likely reflects Judah Maccabee's or John Hyrcanus's campaigns.
Translation Friction
Genesis 36:6-8 records Esau's peaceful departure to Seir. This is Jubilees' most aggressive anti-Edomite polemic.
Connections
Genesis 36 (contradicted); 2 Samuel 8:14 (David subjugates Edom); 1 Maccabees 5:3-8.
Jubilees 38:2
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
They took Esau's sons captive, subdued them, and made them pay tribute.
REF And they took Esau's sons captive and made them tributaries.
Jubilees 38:3
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The sons of Esau served the sons of Jacob, just as the Lord had declared.
REF And the sons of Esau served the sons of Jacob, as the Lord had said.
Jubilees 38:4
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Esau was buried on Mount Seir. His sons lived there, serving Jacob, from that day to this.
REF And on Mount Seir Esau was buried.
Jubilees 38:5
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The sons of Jacob prevailed, and there was no one to rescue Esau from their power.
REF And the sons of Jacob prevailed.
Jubilees 38:6
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The descendants of Esau bowed their necks to the descendants of Jacob. The elder served the younger, and so it has remained to this day.
REF And the children of Esau bowed the neck to the children of Jacob.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- 'The elder served the younger' — fulfillment of Genesis 25:23 through military conquest.
Jubilees 38:7
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
They were subjugated under the hand of Jacob and his sons and became servants.
REF And they became bondservants of the sons of Jacob.
Jubilees 38:8
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
They sent to Aram, Philistia, Moab, and Ammon for help, but they could not be rescued.
REF And they sent for help but could not be delivered.
Jubilees 38:9
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
All the kings of the Amorites, the Philistines, and Canaan feared the sons of Jacob greatly.
REF And all the kings feared the sons of Jacob.
Jubilees 38:10
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The sons of Jacob held dominion, and there was peace.
REF And there was peace.
Jubilees 38:11
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Isaac died and was buried in the double cave beside his father Abraham.
REF And Isaac died. He was buried beside Abraham.
Jubilees 38:12
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Jacob settled in the land of Canaan and had peace.
REF And Jacob dwelt in Canaan and had peace.
Jubilees 38:13
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
He gave to his son Levi all the books of Abraham and Isaac, to preserve and transmit to his children.
REF And he gave to Levi all the books.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The transmission of sacred books to Levi confirms the priestly tribe's guardianship of sacred literature.
Jubilees 38:14
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
From the death of Abraham to the death of Isaac was one hundred and eighty years. All these things were fulfilled.
REF And from Abraham's death until Isaac's death were one hundred and eighty years.