Bible Commentary

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. 28. because venison ] Cf. Gen 27:3-4. Rebekah loved Jacob ] i.e. more than Esau. We have in this verse the division of the two pairs, Isaac and Esau, Rebekah and Jacob, on which turns the narrative in chap. 27. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:28”

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents. 27. a cunning hunter ] That is a skilful, expert hunter. The word “cunning” is used in its old English sense, with no idea of craft or deceit; see 1Sa 16:16. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:27”

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bore them. 26. had hold heel ] As if, from the first, desirous to pull his brother, back, and get in front of him. See the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:26”

And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 25. red ] R.V. marg. ruddy. The adjective refers to the skin rather than to the hair, as in the case of David (1Sa 16:12). The Heb. for “red,” admoni, is intended as a play on the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:25”

And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, [there were] twins in her womb. Gen 25:24-26 Twins Birth of Esau and Jacob I. THEIR MARKED INDIVIDUALITY. II. HOW HEREBY IS POINTED OUT THEIR FUTURE DESTINY. III. HOW THEIR CHARACTERS, SO EARLY DEVELOPED, AFFECTED THE PREFERENCES OF THEIR PARENTS. (T. H. Leale.) The twins … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:24”

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 23. And the Lord said ] How the Divine answer was granted, whether by … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:23”

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD. 22. struggled together ] LXX . Cf. Luk 1:41. The future hostility between Israel and Edom was thus prefigured before their birth. Rebekah, afraid of some betokening of evil, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:22”

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 21. barren ] As in the case of Sarah (Gen 11:30) and of Rachel (Gen 29:31). Rebekah has at first no children. The Chosen People are the children of God’s gift. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:21”

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 20. forty years old ] P gives the age of Isaac at the time of his marriage with Rebekah, thirty-five years before Abraham’s death ( Gen 25:8). Bethuel ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:20”

And these [are] the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begot Isaac: Narrative of Jacob (Gen 25:25-34) 19 34 (P and J). Esau and Jacob. Esau sells his Birthright Gen 25:19-20 are from P, Gen 25:21-34 from J. 19. And these are the generations ] See Gen 25:12. With this familiar formula (cf. Gen 2:4) … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:19”