Bible Commentary

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 4. as the stars of heaven ] See note on Gen 13:1-6; cf. Gen 15:5, Gen 22:17. be blessed ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 26:4”

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father; 3. sojourn land ] The temporary dwelling of one who as a stranger had none … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 26:3”

And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 2. appeared ] The promises here made to Isaac are, for the most part, reiterated from Gen 12:2-3, Gen 15:5, Gen 17:6-8, Gen 22:15-18. which I shall tell thee of ] Cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 26:2”

And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 1. beside the first famine ] Referring to the famine mentioned in Gen 12:10. This clause is probably added by the Compiler (R). Abimelech king … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 26:1”

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [his] birthright. 34. lentils ] The pottage here described is made of a small reddish kind of bean much in use for food in Palestine, Arab. ‘adas. Cf. 2Sa 17:28; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:34”

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 33. Swear to me ] Jacob is acute enough to secure the solemn ratification of his brother’s act, done in the thoughtless moment of exhaustion. When Esau recovers his self-control, he will not be able … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:33”

And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 32. I am at the point to die ] Esau’s words mean that he is dying of hunger, and has no thought of anything but the prospect of food. So LXX , Lat. en morior. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:32”

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 31. this day ] Rather, as R.V. marg., first of all. So also in Gen 25:33. See 1Sa 2:16, “they will surely burn the fat presently,” where “presently” = Heb. “this day,” i.e. “first of all.” The same idiom explains 1Ki 22:5, where “to-day” should be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:31”

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage]; for I [am] faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 30. Feed me with ] i.e. “let me, I pray thee, swallow a little of.” that same red pottage] Heb. the red pottage, this red pottage. Esau’s words repeat the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:30”

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he [was] faint: Gen 25:29-34 Esau despised his birthright The story of the birthright The story of the birthright shows us what kind of a man Esau was: hasty, careless, fond of the good things of this life. He had no reason to complain … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:29”