17 and Jacob hath journeyed to Succoth, and buildeth to himself a house, and for his cattle hath made booths, therefore hath he called the name of the place Succoth. 18 And Jacob cometh in to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which 'is' in the land of Canaan, in his coming from Padan-Aram, and encampeth before the city, 19 and he buyeth the portion of the field where he hath stretched out his tent, from the hand of the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for a hundred kesitah; 20 and he setteth up there an altar, and proclaimeth at it God—the God of Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 33:17-20
Commentary on Genesis 33:17-20
(Read Genesis 33:17-20)
Jacob did not content himself with words of thanks for God's favour to him, but gave real thanks. Also he kept up religion, and the worship of God in his family. Where we have a tent, God must have an altar. Jacob dedicated this altar to the honour of El-elohe-Israel, God, the God of Israel; to the honour of God, the only living and true God; and to the honour of the God of Israel, as a God in covenant with him. Israel's God is Israel's glory. Blessed be his name, he is still the mighty God, the God of Israel. May we praise his name, and rejoice in his love, through our pilgrimage here on earth, and for ever in the heavenly Canaan.