Total Genesis
- Thread starter Olde Tymer
- Start date
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:18b . . and she quickly lowered her jar upon her hand and let him drink.
The Hebrew word for "quickly" basically means to be liquid or flow easily; viz:
nimble (the opposite of that would be the sluggishness of molasses in January) and
implies to act promptly. I really like the way Becky responded. When people do
things grudgingly, they often stonewall, perform slowly, and drag their feet just to
show you they're annoyed. But Becky didn't hesitate. She gave water to the man
whole-heartedly, sharply, and immediately.
Whether she actually let him drink out of her hand is doubtful. Lowering the jar
upon her hand merely indicates it was previously up on her shoulder or maybe on
top of her head. Becky probably just supported it from underneath with one hand
while tilting the top with the other so the contents would pour out and Abraham's
steward could slack his thirst.
● Gen 24:19-20 . .When she had let him drink his fill, she said: I will also draw for
your camels, until they finish drinking. Quickly emptying her jar into the trough,
she ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.
Flo-Jo Becky-- scurrying all over the place like a US Navy SEAL trainee in hell week.
No time to waste if she was going to water all those camels before dark.
The Arabian camel can drink more than twenty gallons of water in one sitting when
it's very thirsty. I hope that man gave them some water earlier because he had ten
camels and Becky could be hauling as much as 200 gallons. If her pitcher held five
gallons, the weight would be about 41 pounds of water for each one of the forty
trips she would have to make down and back up out of that spring. Wow that girl
was fit! Well, she did it-- and all without any grousing about it.
● Gen 24:21 . .The man, meanwhile, stood gazing at her, silently wondering
whether The Lord had made his errand successful or not.
That man must have been totally blown away. The very thing about which he
prayed barely five minutes ago was occurring right before his eyes and all so brisk
and sudden too. This was just too easy and just too unbelievable. Could this really
be of The Lord? He dared not let himself enjoy any success yet until he knew for
sure.
● Gen 24:22 . .When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold nose
ring weighing a half-shekel, and two gold bands for her arms, ten shekels in weight.
The Hebrew word for "nose-ring" just means ring, or jewel. Without a modifier,
there is no way of knowing for sure if the ring is for the nose or the ear. However,
in verse 47 up ahead, Abraham's steward will say he installed the ring in Becky's
nose.
The half shekel was a unit of weight and a media of exchange in those days. It
weighed about 6.019 grams which is equal to about 92.87 grains. Typical .22
caliber lead bullets weigh approximately 40 grains apiece, so it would take at least
two and a third of them to equal the weight of the ring. That's really not much, but
if it's stuck in your nose or hanging on your ear I guess it would become noticeable
after a while.
The combined weight of the two bands was ten shekels, which is twenty times the
weight of the ring; or about 1,857 grains; which is equivalent to forty-six .22 cal
lead bullets.
1,857 grains + 93 grains = 1,950 grains; which is equivalent to 4.06 troy ounces of
gold. ( a troy ounce is equal to 480 grains) As of Jan 25, 2024 the commodity value
of gold was roughly 2,021 US dollars per troy ounce. So to date, Becky's gold, in
commodity value, is worth roughly 8,205 US dollars. (7,535 Euro)
● Gen 24:23-25 . . Pray tell me; he said: whose daughter are you? Is there room in
your father's house for us to spend the night? She replied: I am the daughter of
Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor. And she went on: There is
plenty of straw and feed at home, and also room to spend the night.
That did it. The identity of Becky's family was the final chop that felled the tree.
Abraham's steward had no more doubts about the Lord's providence. At this point,
he put the ring in Becky's nose and the bands on her arms.
_
● Gen 24:18b . . and she quickly lowered her jar upon her hand and let him drink.
The Hebrew word for "quickly" basically means to be liquid or flow easily; viz:
nimble (the opposite of that would be the sluggishness of molasses in January) and
implies to act promptly. I really like the way Becky responded. When people do
things grudgingly, they often stonewall, perform slowly, and drag their feet just to
show you they're annoyed. But Becky didn't hesitate. She gave water to the man
whole-heartedly, sharply, and immediately.
Whether she actually let him drink out of her hand is doubtful. Lowering the jar
upon her hand merely indicates it was previously up on her shoulder or maybe on
top of her head. Becky probably just supported it from underneath with one hand
while tilting the top with the other so the contents would pour out and Abraham's
steward could slack his thirst.
● Gen 24:19-20 . .When she had let him drink his fill, she said: I will also draw for
your camels, until they finish drinking. Quickly emptying her jar into the trough,
she ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.
Flo-Jo Becky-- scurrying all over the place like a US Navy SEAL trainee in hell week.
No time to waste if she was going to water all those camels before dark.
The Arabian camel can drink more than twenty gallons of water in one sitting when
it's very thirsty. I hope that man gave them some water earlier because he had ten
camels and Becky could be hauling as much as 200 gallons. If her pitcher held five
gallons, the weight would be about 41 pounds of water for each one of the forty
trips she would have to make down and back up out of that spring. Wow that girl
was fit! Well, she did it-- and all without any grousing about it.
● Gen 24:21 . .The man, meanwhile, stood gazing at her, silently wondering
whether The Lord had made his errand successful or not.
That man must have been totally blown away. The very thing about which he
prayed barely five minutes ago was occurring right before his eyes and all so brisk
and sudden too. This was just too easy and just too unbelievable. Could this really
be of The Lord? He dared not let himself enjoy any success yet until he knew for
sure.
● Gen 24:22 . .When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold nose
ring weighing a half-shekel, and two gold bands for her arms, ten shekels in weight.
The Hebrew word for "nose-ring" just means ring, or jewel. Without a modifier,
there is no way of knowing for sure if the ring is for the nose or the ear. However,
in verse 47 up ahead, Abraham's steward will say he installed the ring in Becky's
nose.
The half shekel was a unit of weight and a media of exchange in those days. It
weighed about 6.019 grams which is equal to about 92.87 grains. Typical .22
caliber lead bullets weigh approximately 40 grains apiece, so it would take at least
two and a third of them to equal the weight of the ring. That's really not much, but
if it's stuck in your nose or hanging on your ear I guess it would become noticeable
after a while.
The combined weight of the two bands was ten shekels, which is twenty times the
weight of the ring; or about 1,857 grains; which is equivalent to forty-six .22 cal
lead bullets.
1,857 grains + 93 grains = 1,950 grains; which is equivalent to 4.06 troy ounces of
gold. ( a troy ounce is equal to 480 grains) As of Jan 25, 2024 the commodity value
of gold was roughly 2,021 US dollars per troy ounce. So to date, Becky's gold, in
commodity value, is worth roughly 8,205 US dollars. (7,535 Euro)
● Gen 24:23-25 . . Pray tell me; he said: whose daughter are you? Is there room in
your father's house for us to spend the night? She replied: I am the daughter of
Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor. And she went on: There is
plenty of straw and feed at home, and also room to spend the night.
That did it. The identity of Becky's family was the final chop that felled the tree.
Abraham's steward had no more doubts about the Lord's providence. At this point,
he put the ring in Becky's nose and the bands on her arms.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:26-27 . .The man bowed low in homage to The Lord and said: Blessed be
The Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His steadfast
faithfulness from my master. For I have been guided on my errand by The Lord, to
the house of my master's kinsmen.
How utterly astounded Becky must have been that this stranger would give her all
that gold for doing nothing more than watering him and his camels; and then his
prayer to boot.
I'm guessing that at this point, Becky began to suspect that something was up.
There were men with Abraham's steward who were no doubt all intently observing
this scene and gauging Becky's reactions throughout the whole incident. Looking at
them, looking at the man, looking at his camels loaded down with all manner of
stuff, and that there were more saddled camels than men to ride them; I think
Becky began to get nervous because right then she took off out of there for home
like a United Airlines passenger with scarcely seconds to spare to catch their
connection from Chicago to Seattle.
● Gen 24:28 . .The maiden ran and told all this to her mother's household.
Here's a possible scenario of what happened next.
Becky's mom (whose name isn't given) has become anxious-- it's getting late, and
her baby hasn't returned yet with the evening water supply.
Then, WHAM! as sudden and unexpected as a California earthquake; an excited,
out of breath Becky-girl comes crashing through the door with a shriek and a
squeal; dropping her jug on the floor with a thud, sloshing water over the floor,
accompanied by the incomprehensible jabbering of a flock of magpies-- gasping for
air, lungs burning; she spits her tale as arms flash with gold, and the ring in her
nose sparkles like a glimmering salmon lure every time she turns her head; which
is quite often.
At first, in dazed silence, everyone is paralyzed and nobody moves.
Then, BOOM! the whole place erupts and people start scrambling. Chairs get
knocked over, tables bumped out of their places, lamps teeter, and doors slam with
the whump and concussion of incoming mortar rounds. People out in the courtyard
are barking orders to the servants at the tops of their voices; as everyone bolts off
from ground-zero in ten different directions like panicked North Koreans making
emergency preparations to put Kim Jong-Un up for the night.
Meanwhile, Becky's brother Laban (who just happens to be infected with a severe
case of unbridled avarice) ignites the afterburners and sails out the door at Mach 2
on his way to fetch Abraham's steward.
● Gen 24:29-30a . . Now Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban. He ran
out to the man at the spring when he saw the nose-ring and the bands on his
sister's arms, and when he heard his sister Rebecca say: Thus the man spoke to
me.
There's no record of Laban meeting Abraham in person, but Bethuel surely must
have talked about him around the dinner table-- how Noah's deity had called
uncle Abram to leave Mesopotamia and head south to the frontier. And caravans
arriving from Egypt surely passed through Abraham's region, picking up news and
information about the great sheik's exploits and the fact that Abraham's camp was
very large; a community of at least a thousand people.
Then; Shazaam! Abraham's steward seemingly materializes out of nowhere-- totally
unexpected like Forrest Gump's friend Jenny after a long absence --with samples of
Abraham's prosperity. That must have been really exciting: akin to news from
early-day Texas oilfields.
_
● Gen 24:26-27 . .The man bowed low in homage to The Lord and said: Blessed be
The Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His steadfast
faithfulness from my master. For I have been guided on my errand by The Lord, to
the house of my master's kinsmen.
How utterly astounded Becky must have been that this stranger would give her all
that gold for doing nothing more than watering him and his camels; and then his
prayer to boot.
I'm guessing that at this point, Becky began to suspect that something was up.
There were men with Abraham's steward who were no doubt all intently observing
this scene and gauging Becky's reactions throughout the whole incident. Looking at
them, looking at the man, looking at his camels loaded down with all manner of
stuff, and that there were more saddled camels than men to ride them; I think
Becky began to get nervous because right then she took off out of there for home
like a United Airlines passenger with scarcely seconds to spare to catch their
connection from Chicago to Seattle.
● Gen 24:28 . .The maiden ran and told all this to her mother's household.
Here's a possible scenario of what happened next.
Becky's mom (whose name isn't given) has become anxious-- it's getting late, and
her baby hasn't returned yet with the evening water supply.
Then, WHAM! as sudden and unexpected as a California earthquake; an excited,
out of breath Becky-girl comes crashing through the door with a shriek and a
squeal; dropping her jug on the floor with a thud, sloshing water over the floor,
accompanied by the incomprehensible jabbering of a flock of magpies-- gasping for
air, lungs burning; she spits her tale as arms flash with gold, and the ring in her
nose sparkles like a glimmering salmon lure every time she turns her head; which
is quite often.
At first, in dazed silence, everyone is paralyzed and nobody moves.
Then, BOOM! the whole place erupts and people start scrambling. Chairs get
knocked over, tables bumped out of their places, lamps teeter, and doors slam with
the whump and concussion of incoming mortar rounds. People out in the courtyard
are barking orders to the servants at the tops of their voices; as everyone bolts off
from ground-zero in ten different directions like panicked North Koreans making
emergency preparations to put Kim Jong-Un up for the night.
Meanwhile, Becky's brother Laban (who just happens to be infected with a severe
case of unbridled avarice) ignites the afterburners and sails out the door at Mach 2
on his way to fetch Abraham's steward.
● Gen 24:29-30a . . Now Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban. He ran
out to the man at the spring when he saw the nose-ring and the bands on his
sister's arms, and when he heard his sister Rebecca say: Thus the man spoke to
me.
There's no record of Laban meeting Abraham in person, but Bethuel surely must
have talked about him around the dinner table-- how Noah's deity had called
uncle Abram to leave Mesopotamia and head south to the frontier. And caravans
arriving from Egypt surely passed through Abraham's region, picking up news and
information about the great sheik's exploits and the fact that Abraham's camp was
very large; a community of at least a thousand people.
Then; Shazaam! Abraham's steward seemingly materializes out of nowhere-- totally
unexpected like Forrest Gump's friend Jenny after a long absence --with samples of
Abraham's prosperity. That must have been really exciting: akin to news from
early-day Texas oilfields.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:30b-31a . . He went up to the man, who was still standing beside the
camels at the spring. He said: Come in, O blessed of The Lord;
The Hebrew word for "Lord" is actually Jehovah (a.k.a. Yahweh) and is the very
name of deity the steward used in his prayer.
Laban didn't actually worship Jehovah nor serve Him either. The steward's deity
was Jehovah; so for now, He would be Laban's diety too. Becky's brother was a
clever, Machiavellian manipulator. By feigning respect for the steward's deity;
Laban no doubt hoped it would work to advantage. Later we're going to discover
that Laban's own personal religion was actually idolatry. He kept a supply of divine
figurines in his home-- little statuettes called teraphim.
● Gen 24:31b . . why do you remain outside, when I have made ready the house
and a place for the camels?
Unlike Abraham's home, where Abraham ruled supreme, the daddy in Becky's home
doesn't seem to have much voice or power in it. Bethuel's son is the principle
spokesman. He and his mom together seemed to run the place. Some husbands are
happy with that kind of an arrangement so what the hey, if it works for them? It
could be too that the daddy's health was not all that good and so he preferred
letting his family manage the home.
● Gen 24:32 . . So the man entered the house, and the camels were unloaded. The
camels were given straw and feed, and water was brought to bathe his feet and the
feet of the men with him.
In those days, when somebody "entered the house" they actually entered a
gateway into a courtyard bordered by living quarters and stables.
Who took care of the animals? Probably servants. Which would indicate that Bethuel
had done pretty well for himself in life. His home was spacious enough to shelter
the servant and his detachment; plus he had enough provender and bedding for at
least ten camels.
Hmmmm. Makes one curious why Becky was out there fetching water. Why did she
have to do it if they had servants? Well, I don't think she really had to; but Isaac's
future bride was no narcissistic prima donna: she was one of those people who
don't mind pitching in and getting their hands dirty. Privileged or no privileged; that
girl was something.
● Gen 24:33a . . But when food was set before him, he said: I will not eat until I
have told my tale.
Always one for business, the man got straight to the point.
● Gen 24:33b . . He said: Speak, then.
Who was it said: speak? Well, the nearest antecedent is Laban. You know, that boy
reminds me of Sonny Corleone; the eldest brother in Mario Puzo's book "The
Godfather". Sonny was headstrong, outspoken, and a slave to his passions; just
like ol' Laban.
● Gen 24:34 . . I am Abraham's servant: he began.
I think it's commendable that this man, so far from home, didn't introduce himself
by his own name but rather by the name of the one whom he represented.
● Gen 24:35 . .The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich:
He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels
and burros.
I love the way this man gives credit to Jehovah for Abraham's good fortune rather
than to idols, heathen deities, dumb luck, brute force, fortuitous circumstance,
and/or Abraham's business skills.
It was important that the man tell Becky's family about Abraham's religion, and
about his wealth, because in a moment he's going to drop a 2,000 pound bunker
buster that will change their lives forever.
_
● Gen 24:30b-31a . . He went up to the man, who was still standing beside the
camels at the spring. He said: Come in, O blessed of The Lord;
The Hebrew word for "Lord" is actually Jehovah (a.k.a. Yahweh) and is the very
name of deity the steward used in his prayer.
Laban didn't actually worship Jehovah nor serve Him either. The steward's deity
was Jehovah; so for now, He would be Laban's diety too. Becky's brother was a
clever, Machiavellian manipulator. By feigning respect for the steward's deity;
Laban no doubt hoped it would work to advantage. Later we're going to discover
that Laban's own personal religion was actually idolatry. He kept a supply of divine
figurines in his home-- little statuettes called teraphim.
● Gen 24:31b . . why do you remain outside, when I have made ready the house
and a place for the camels?
Unlike Abraham's home, where Abraham ruled supreme, the daddy in Becky's home
doesn't seem to have much voice or power in it. Bethuel's son is the principle
spokesman. He and his mom together seemed to run the place. Some husbands are
happy with that kind of an arrangement so what the hey, if it works for them? It
could be too that the daddy's health was not all that good and so he preferred
letting his family manage the home.
● Gen 24:32 . . So the man entered the house, and the camels were unloaded. The
camels were given straw and feed, and water was brought to bathe his feet and the
feet of the men with him.
In those days, when somebody "entered the house" they actually entered a
gateway into a courtyard bordered by living quarters and stables.
Who took care of the animals? Probably servants. Which would indicate that Bethuel
had done pretty well for himself in life. His home was spacious enough to shelter
the servant and his detachment; plus he had enough provender and bedding for at
least ten camels.
Hmmmm. Makes one curious why Becky was out there fetching water. Why did she
have to do it if they had servants? Well, I don't think she really had to; but Isaac's
future bride was no narcissistic prima donna: she was one of those people who
don't mind pitching in and getting their hands dirty. Privileged or no privileged; that
girl was something.
● Gen 24:33a . . But when food was set before him, he said: I will not eat until I
have told my tale.
Always one for business, the man got straight to the point.
● Gen 24:33b . . He said: Speak, then.
Who was it said: speak? Well, the nearest antecedent is Laban. You know, that boy
reminds me of Sonny Corleone; the eldest brother in Mario Puzo's book "The
Godfather". Sonny was headstrong, outspoken, and a slave to his passions; just
like ol' Laban.
● Gen 24:34 . . I am Abraham's servant: he began.
I think it's commendable that this man, so far from home, didn't introduce himself
by his own name but rather by the name of the one whom he represented.
● Gen 24:35 . .The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich:
He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels
and burros.
I love the way this man gives credit to Jehovah for Abraham's good fortune rather
than to idols, heathen deities, dumb luck, brute force, fortuitous circumstance,
and/or Abraham's business skills.
It was important that the man tell Becky's family about Abraham's religion, and
about his wealth, because in a moment he's going to drop a 2,000 pound bunker
buster that will change their lives forever.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:36a . . And Sarah, my master's wife, bore my master a son in her old age
Curiously, he doesn't mention Sarah's passing. But then, the Scriptures don't record
every word that people ever spoke-- just excerpts really. Back in verse 30, Becky's
entire experience at the spring is recounted in a very simple phrase: "Thus the man
spoke to me."
If Becky wasn't listening before, you can just bet your equity line that her little ears
perked up like a NORAD radar station at the mention of Abraham's son. And not
just a son, but a son born in Sarah's old age; which would mean that Abraham's
boy was relatively young, or at least age-appropriate for her liking-- and maybe
available too.
* Americans don't take marriage serious enough. It was life or death in those days.
Ancient women didn't have the advantages of education, special rights, open
promiscuity, and independence like the women in twenty-first century America. And
women with babies weren't pitied back then either, no, women with babies were
admired; and often times even envied.
Family life was all that really mattered to the women of old. It was their career goal
and it was their old age security. Single women were failures and most likely
headed for poverty. And some even felt it was an evidence of divine disfavor to
become an old maid-- which only served to aggravate their despair even more. So
when those women got married and/or had a baby; it was a really big cause for
celebration: not so much for an achievement but for plain old good fortune.
● Gen 24:36b . . and he has assigned to him everything he owns.
It's no doubt obvious by now to everyone in the house where the servant is going
with his narrative. Why else would he tell of the son's inheritance if not to impress
Becky's family in order to secure her for the son's bride?
● Gen 24:37-41 . . Now my master made me swear, saying: You shall not get a
wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell; but
you shall go to my father's house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son. And I
said to my master: What if the woman does not follow me?
. . . He replied to me: The Lord, whose ways I have followed, will send His angel
with you and make your errand successful; and you will get a wife for my son from
my kindred, from my father's house. Thus only shall you be freed from my
adjuration: if, when you come to my kindred, they refuse you-- only then shall you
be freed from my adjuration.
Included among the "kindred" who might refuse the servant was the potential bride
herself because Abraham said so at Gen 24:8.
In the ancient East, daughters were often given in arranged marriages without their
consent. And normally, if Becky's kin were to say she was going to marry Isaac,
well then she was going to marry Isaac and that was the end of discussion. Up
ahead, we'll see that very fate befall Becky's nieces: Rachel and Leah.
But Abraham didn't want Isaac's bride to be purchased. No. In this case, Abraham
broke with tradition and mandated the prospective bride herself cast the deciding
vote. So if Becky refuses, the servant can't be blamed for dereliction of duty; and
nobody is going to handcuff Becky and ship her off to Palestine via UPS ground.
Abraham wants her to come down there of her own volition; and if not, then he'll
look elsewhere . . . and no hard feelings about it.
● Gen 24:42-48 . . (This portion is pretty much what went on before except that in
this version, the family is told how Becky came to have the nose ring and the arm
bands.)
Becky hadn't known till then that the servant prayed for special providence
prior to her arrival at the spring-- the part about drinking the maiden's water,
and her serving the camels. Becky must have been totally astonished to think that
the actual supreme being-- the initiator of intelligent design --led that man, not just
to her doorstep, but right smack dab to her footsteps! The just had to give Becky
cause for a measure of alarm. I suspect that if Becky wasn't nervous up to this
point, then she sure as shootin' was now.
_
● Gen 24:36a . . And Sarah, my master's wife, bore my master a son in her old age
Curiously, he doesn't mention Sarah's passing. But then, the Scriptures don't record
every word that people ever spoke-- just excerpts really. Back in verse 30, Becky's
entire experience at the spring is recounted in a very simple phrase: "Thus the man
spoke to me."
If Becky wasn't listening before, you can just bet your equity line that her little ears
perked up like a NORAD radar station at the mention of Abraham's son. And not
just a son, but a son born in Sarah's old age; which would mean that Abraham's
boy was relatively young, or at least age-appropriate for her liking-- and maybe
available too.
* Americans don't take marriage serious enough. It was life or death in those days.
Ancient women didn't have the advantages of education, special rights, open
promiscuity, and independence like the women in twenty-first century America. And
women with babies weren't pitied back then either, no, women with babies were
admired; and often times even envied.
Family life was all that really mattered to the women of old. It was their career goal
and it was their old age security. Single women were failures and most likely
headed for poverty. And some even felt it was an evidence of divine disfavor to
become an old maid-- which only served to aggravate their despair even more. So
when those women got married and/or had a baby; it was a really big cause for
celebration: not so much for an achievement but for plain old good fortune.
● Gen 24:36b . . and he has assigned to him everything he owns.
It's no doubt obvious by now to everyone in the house where the servant is going
with his narrative. Why else would he tell of the son's inheritance if not to impress
Becky's family in order to secure her for the son's bride?
● Gen 24:37-41 . . Now my master made me swear, saying: You shall not get a
wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell; but
you shall go to my father's house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son. And I
said to my master: What if the woman does not follow me?
. . . He replied to me: The Lord, whose ways I have followed, will send His angel
with you and make your errand successful; and you will get a wife for my son from
my kindred, from my father's house. Thus only shall you be freed from my
adjuration: if, when you come to my kindred, they refuse you-- only then shall you
be freed from my adjuration.
Included among the "kindred" who might refuse the servant was the potential bride
herself because Abraham said so at Gen 24:8.
In the ancient East, daughters were often given in arranged marriages without their
consent. And normally, if Becky's kin were to say she was going to marry Isaac,
well then she was going to marry Isaac and that was the end of discussion. Up
ahead, we'll see that very fate befall Becky's nieces: Rachel and Leah.
But Abraham didn't want Isaac's bride to be purchased. No. In this case, Abraham
broke with tradition and mandated the prospective bride herself cast the deciding
vote. So if Becky refuses, the servant can't be blamed for dereliction of duty; and
nobody is going to handcuff Becky and ship her off to Palestine via UPS ground.
Abraham wants her to come down there of her own volition; and if not, then he'll
look elsewhere . . . and no hard feelings about it.
● Gen 24:42-48 . . (This portion is pretty much what went on before except that in
this version, the family is told how Becky came to have the nose ring and the arm
bands.)
Becky hadn't known till then that the servant prayed for special providence
prior to her arrival at the spring-- the part about drinking the maiden's water,
and her serving the camels. Becky must have been totally astonished to think that
the actual supreme being-- the initiator of intelligent design --led that man, not just
to her doorstep, but right smack dab to her footsteps! The just had to give Becky
cause for a measure of alarm. I suspect that if Becky wasn't nervous up to this
point, then she sure as shootin' was now.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:49-51 . . And now, if you mean to treat my master with true kindness,
tell me; and if not, tell me also, that I may turn right or left. Then Laban and
Bethuel answered: The matter was decreed by Jehovah; we cannot speak to you
bad or good. Here is Rebecca before you; take her and go, and let her be a wife to
your master's son, as the Lord has spoken.
Actually Bethuel himself didn't say anything. Laban spoke in proxy for him in the
same way that the steward was now speaking as Abraham in Isaac's best interests.
Bethuel and Laban may have had a quiet pow-wow off to the side and then Laban
came forward and announced their decision.
At this point, Becky would have normally become legally engaged to marry Isaac.
But Abraham would not permit the marriage to be set in stone until the girl actually
consented for herself. So it's not over yet.
● Gen 24:52 . .When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed low to the
ground before The Lord.
Abraham's steward is one of the most pious men in the Bible, and people like him
can be very influential for God. If you've ever been in the presence of someone like
him you know what I'm saying. All the prayers I learned as a child were rote; just a
memorized litany of chant-like mantras. The first time I overheard someone pray
candidly, from the heart, I was very moved.
● Gen 24:53 . .The servant brought out items of silver and gold, and garments, and
gave them to Rebecca; and he gave presents to her brother and her mother.
The gifts were a good-faith token that the servant meant what he said; and I've no
doubt that had Becky ultimately refused, he would not have demanded them back.
● Gen 24:54-55 . .Then he and the men with him ate and drank, and they spent
the night. When they arose next morning, he said: Give me leave to go to my
master. But her brother and her mother said: Let the maiden remain with us some
ten days; then you may go.
Their request was reasonable. After all, this was all so sudden. They didn't even
have a chance to announce the engagement nor organize a bridal shower. Becky's
friends would all want to come over to the house and ooo and ahhh the jewelry and
go nuts over the exotic fashions from Canaan. And they would all want to give her
one last hug and wish blessings on her new life. What's so wrong with that? There's
nothing wrong with that; but Abraham's anxiety takes priority in this matter. (cf.
Luke 9:61-62)
● Gen 24:56-57a . . He said to them: Do not delay me, now that The Lord has
made my errand successful. Give me leave that I may go to my master.
Abraham probably had a pretty good idea how long his servant should be gone; and
if the return was delayed, Abraham might begin to wonder what was going on up
there in Haran what with no internet email, telephones, HAM radio, telegraph, nor
even any way to send a post card back home.
Becky has now agreed to be Isaac's bride. She made that decision the moment she
accepted clothing and jewelry that were offered to her in Isaac's name. The big
question now is: how much longer does she wish to remain a maiden before
becoming a married woman with a home of her own, and fulfilling a woman's
purpose in life per Gen 2:18.
● Gen 24:57b-58 . . And they said: Let us call the girl and ask for her reply. They
called Rebecca and said to her: Will you go with this man? And she said: I will.
Exactly what so strongly motivated Becky to agree to leave home on such short
notice is open to speculation. Some feel it was because, unknown to the writer of
Genesis, she had been praying for The Lord's providence in this very matter of
finding the right man. The events of the previous evening were enough to convince
Becky that this was truly divine providence; and she wasn't about to procrastinate
now and louse up her chances for God-given happiness and security.
_
● Gen 24:49-51 . . And now, if you mean to treat my master with true kindness,
tell me; and if not, tell me also, that I may turn right or left. Then Laban and
Bethuel answered: The matter was decreed by Jehovah; we cannot speak to you
bad or good. Here is Rebecca before you; take her and go, and let her be a wife to
your master's son, as the Lord has spoken.
Actually Bethuel himself didn't say anything. Laban spoke in proxy for him in the
same way that the steward was now speaking as Abraham in Isaac's best interests.
Bethuel and Laban may have had a quiet pow-wow off to the side and then Laban
came forward and announced their decision.
At this point, Becky would have normally become legally engaged to marry Isaac.
But Abraham would not permit the marriage to be set in stone until the girl actually
consented for herself. So it's not over yet.
● Gen 24:52 . .When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed low to the
ground before The Lord.
Abraham's steward is one of the most pious men in the Bible, and people like him
can be very influential for God. If you've ever been in the presence of someone like
him you know what I'm saying. All the prayers I learned as a child were rote; just a
memorized litany of chant-like mantras. The first time I overheard someone pray
candidly, from the heart, I was very moved.
● Gen 24:53 . .The servant brought out items of silver and gold, and garments, and
gave them to Rebecca; and he gave presents to her brother and her mother.
The gifts were a good-faith token that the servant meant what he said; and I've no
doubt that had Becky ultimately refused, he would not have demanded them back.
● Gen 24:54-55 . .Then he and the men with him ate and drank, and they spent
the night. When they arose next morning, he said: Give me leave to go to my
master. But her brother and her mother said: Let the maiden remain with us some
ten days; then you may go.
Their request was reasonable. After all, this was all so sudden. They didn't even
have a chance to announce the engagement nor organize a bridal shower. Becky's
friends would all want to come over to the house and ooo and ahhh the jewelry and
go nuts over the exotic fashions from Canaan. And they would all want to give her
one last hug and wish blessings on her new life. What's so wrong with that? There's
nothing wrong with that; but Abraham's anxiety takes priority in this matter. (cf.
Luke 9:61-62)
● Gen 24:56-57a . . He said to them: Do not delay me, now that The Lord has
made my errand successful. Give me leave that I may go to my master.
Abraham probably had a pretty good idea how long his servant should be gone; and
if the return was delayed, Abraham might begin to wonder what was going on up
there in Haran what with no internet email, telephones, HAM radio, telegraph, nor
even any way to send a post card back home.
Becky has now agreed to be Isaac's bride. She made that decision the moment she
accepted clothing and jewelry that were offered to her in Isaac's name. The big
question now is: how much longer does she wish to remain a maiden before
becoming a married woman with a home of her own, and fulfilling a woman's
purpose in life per Gen 2:18.
● Gen 24:57b-58 . . And they said: Let us call the girl and ask for her reply. They
called Rebecca and said to her: Will you go with this man? And she said: I will.
Exactly what so strongly motivated Becky to agree to leave home on such short
notice is open to speculation. Some feel it was because, unknown to the writer of
Genesis, she had been praying for The Lord's providence in this very matter of
finding the right man. The events of the previous evening were enough to convince
Becky that this was truly divine providence; and she wasn't about to procrastinate
now and louse up her chances for God-given happiness and security.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:59a . . So they sent off their sister Rebecca
The Hebrew word for "sister" isn't limited to siblings. It applies to all manner of
female kin-- sisters, daughters, aunts, nieces; even to a lover, as in Song 4:9-12.
You can imagine the flurry that went on in that house getting Becky's bags packed
on such short notice. You can bet there was no joy around there that morning. An
air of sadness marked her departure. Everyone was no doubt well aware they would
likely never see Becky ever again. In those days, when somebody moved 500 miles
away, they might just as well have gone to Pluto.
● Gen 24:59b . . and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his men.
The Hebrew word for "nurse" basically refers to wet nursing. This may be an
indication that, for reasons unspecified, Rebecca's mom was unable to feed her
babies naturally. In Mesopotamia, wet nurses frequently had the additional duties
of bringing up the child and acting as their guardian; viz: a nanny. The nurse (whose
name is Deborah (Gen 35:8) was probably either Becky's first choice as personal
assistant, or Deborah herself just couldn't part with her little Becky and volunteered
to go along as a chaperon. It's not unusual for mentors, like Helen Keller's tutor
Anne Sullivan, to become permanently bonded and dedicated to their charges.
● Gen 24:60 . . And they blessed Rebecca and said to her: O sister! May you grow
into thousands of myriads; may your offspring seize the gates of their foes.
That prophetic bon voyage was undoubtedly an acknowledgement of the promises
God made to Abraham following the Akedah (Gen 22:15-18). Abraham's steward
spent the night in Becky's home; and while eating dinner and chatting, no doubt
shared many wonderful events from Abraham's and Isaac's lives to which Becky's
family must have listened just as spellbound as all of us who study Genesis in our
own day and age.
The Akedah surely must have been to them almost beyond belief that God would
ask Abraham to sacrifice the very son in whom all the promises would be fulfilled.
No wonder Becky was so ready to go. She just had to get on down there and see
this man in whom God had taken such a particular interest.
● Gen 24:61a . .Then Rebecca and her maids arose, mounted the camels, and
followed the man.
The word for "maids" basically refers to young, underage girls. A Bible maid is just
a lass, not really a grown up adult woman. She could be a pre teen or a late teen
and any age in between. It wasn't unusual for a woman from a family of means to
have a retinue of young girls in attendance. Becky's maids possibly were the
children of her home's adult servants.
Then too, young girls were often indentured into maid service. Sometimes it was
because of parental greed, but often it was because the family was in poverty and
desperate. Not all that long ago, many families in Afghanistan were forced to sell
their children just to survive the Taliban's ruin of their country. Sometimes young
girls were fortunes of war in Becky's day and could be bought and sold at market;
for example the Jewish damsel in 2Kgs 5:1-3 who helped Naaman with his leprosy.
_
● Gen 24:59a . . So they sent off their sister Rebecca
The Hebrew word for "sister" isn't limited to siblings. It applies to all manner of
female kin-- sisters, daughters, aunts, nieces; even to a lover, as in Song 4:9-12.
You can imagine the flurry that went on in that house getting Becky's bags packed
on such short notice. You can bet there was no joy around there that morning. An
air of sadness marked her departure. Everyone was no doubt well aware they would
likely never see Becky ever again. In those days, when somebody moved 500 miles
away, they might just as well have gone to Pluto.
● Gen 24:59b . . and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his men.
The Hebrew word for "nurse" basically refers to wet nursing. This may be an
indication that, for reasons unspecified, Rebecca's mom was unable to feed her
babies naturally. In Mesopotamia, wet nurses frequently had the additional duties
of bringing up the child and acting as their guardian; viz: a nanny. The nurse (whose
name is Deborah (Gen 35:8) was probably either Becky's first choice as personal
assistant, or Deborah herself just couldn't part with her little Becky and volunteered
to go along as a chaperon. It's not unusual for mentors, like Helen Keller's tutor
Anne Sullivan, to become permanently bonded and dedicated to their charges.
● Gen 24:60 . . And they blessed Rebecca and said to her: O sister! May you grow
into thousands of myriads; may your offspring seize the gates of their foes.
That prophetic bon voyage was undoubtedly an acknowledgement of the promises
God made to Abraham following the Akedah (Gen 22:15-18). Abraham's steward
spent the night in Becky's home; and while eating dinner and chatting, no doubt
shared many wonderful events from Abraham's and Isaac's lives to which Becky's
family must have listened just as spellbound as all of us who study Genesis in our
own day and age.
The Akedah surely must have been to them almost beyond belief that God would
ask Abraham to sacrifice the very son in whom all the promises would be fulfilled.
No wonder Becky was so ready to go. She just had to get on down there and see
this man in whom God had taken such a particular interest.
● Gen 24:61a . .Then Rebecca and her maids arose, mounted the camels, and
followed the man.
The word for "maids" basically refers to young, underage girls. A Bible maid is just
a lass, not really a grown up adult woman. She could be a pre teen or a late teen
and any age in between. It wasn't unusual for a woman from a family of means to
have a retinue of young girls in attendance. Becky's maids possibly were the
children of her home's adult servants.
Then too, young girls were often indentured into maid service. Sometimes it was
because of parental greed, but often it was because the family was in poverty and
desperate. Not all that long ago, many families in Afghanistan were forced to sell
their children just to survive the Taliban's ruin of their country. Sometimes young
girls were fortunes of war in Becky's day and could be bought and sold at market;
for example the Jewish damsel in 2Kgs 5:1-3 who helped Naaman with his leprosy.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:61b . . So the servant took Rebecca and went his way.
The 500 mile trip to Isaac's camp, which must have taken at least two weeks, was
a great opportunity for Rebecca to become familiar with the manager of her
spouse's goods. People bond well under hardship and under close knit
circumstances. In the years to come, the friendship and trust that developed en
route with Rebecca and the man, would really come in handy after she took over
Isaac's home. We can easily guess what the primary topic of conversation was on
the way back-- Mr. Isaac.
"Oh, do tell me more about him. What's his favorite food? His favorite color?
When's his birthday? Has he been a playboy, dating lots of girls? Is he mellow or is
he thin-skinned and easily angered? What does he do in his spare time? How tall is
he? Does he have many pet peeves? What color is his hair and eyes? How old is he?
Does he have a sense of humor? Would he get upset if I burned the toast? Is he
affable and approachable? Is he reasonable? Is he despotic? Is he generous with his
money, or a miserly tight wad? Do you really think he will like me?"
All those things, plus lots, lots more, are very important to most brides and I have
no doubt that Rebecca pried a great many things out of Abraham's steward
concerning her Isaac. By the time they arrived, all of Becky's anxieties and fears
about her future husband were resolved, and she was in love with that man before
even meeting him for the very first time.
You know, Becky only had the steward's word that there really was an Isaac. She
herself had never seen him, her family had never seen him, in fact no one in her
whole town had ever seen him. What if the entire story were a big hoax and the
man was not telling the truth. Perhaps he was a smooth con man who actually had
in mind to sell Becky into slavery down in Egypt.
The farther and farther she got from home, the more danger Becky was in. The
land was strange and hostile, Becky had no friends and no one to turn to if she
might try an escape. She was in fact trusting her very life to an almost complete
stranger. (cf. Phil 1:6)
But that man's speech and his bearing were powerfully persuasive. He was able to
convince Becky that he was genuinely Abraham's steward and that there really was
an Isaac waiting for her at trail's end. Becky left home with one stranger to marry
yet another stranger. But by the time they arrived, Abraham's trusty steward had
proved himself to Becky that her escorts were all trustworthy men and only meant
good by her.
● Gen 24:62 . . Isaac had just come back from the vicinity of Beer-lahai-roi, for he
was settled in the region of the Negeb.
Beer-lahai-roi was the source of water where Hagar met God for the very first time;
and her experience caused the well to be named the way it was in Gen 16:13-14.
Hagar's water source became not only somewhat of a holy monument, but also an
important watering hole for people with flocks and herds down there in the Negev;
thanks to a runaway slave girl.
● Gen 24:63a . . And Isaac went out walking in the field toward evening
The precise location of this field is uncertain. Since Isaac's ranch was in the Negev,
near Hagar's well, that might be where this next scene occurred.
There lacks a consensus opinion among Jewish scholars as to the precise meaning
of the Hebrew word laasuwach, which is translated "walking" in some Bibles; and
"meditate" in others. The JPS rendering, "walking" is based upon the Arabic saha.
Tradition has it that Isaac was out in the field for reflection and prayer. What might
he be praying about?
Well, most likely about his impending marriage to a mail-order bride. If Rebecca
was at all nervous, you can bet Isaac was just as nervous himself. These two were
going to be joined at the hip for the rest of their lives and they had yet to even
meet. Will they fit together like the left and right of a pair of old shoes, or will they
chafe each other like flint and steel?
_
● Gen 24:61b . . So the servant took Rebecca and went his way.
The 500 mile trip to Isaac's camp, which must have taken at least two weeks, was
a great opportunity for Rebecca to become familiar with the manager of her
spouse's goods. People bond well under hardship and under close knit
circumstances. In the years to come, the friendship and trust that developed en
route with Rebecca and the man, would really come in handy after she took over
Isaac's home. We can easily guess what the primary topic of conversation was on
the way back-- Mr. Isaac.
"Oh, do tell me more about him. What's his favorite food? His favorite color?
When's his birthday? Has he been a playboy, dating lots of girls? Is he mellow or is
he thin-skinned and easily angered? What does he do in his spare time? How tall is
he? Does he have many pet peeves? What color is his hair and eyes? How old is he?
Does he have a sense of humor? Would he get upset if I burned the toast? Is he
affable and approachable? Is he reasonable? Is he despotic? Is he generous with his
money, or a miserly tight wad? Do you really think he will like me?"
All those things, plus lots, lots more, are very important to most brides and I have
no doubt that Rebecca pried a great many things out of Abraham's steward
concerning her Isaac. By the time they arrived, all of Becky's anxieties and fears
about her future husband were resolved, and she was in love with that man before
even meeting him for the very first time.
You know, Becky only had the steward's word that there really was an Isaac. She
herself had never seen him, her family had never seen him, in fact no one in her
whole town had ever seen him. What if the entire story were a big hoax and the
man was not telling the truth. Perhaps he was a smooth con man who actually had
in mind to sell Becky into slavery down in Egypt.
The farther and farther she got from home, the more danger Becky was in. The
land was strange and hostile, Becky had no friends and no one to turn to if she
might try an escape. She was in fact trusting her very life to an almost complete
stranger. (cf. Phil 1:6)
But that man's speech and his bearing were powerfully persuasive. He was able to
convince Becky that he was genuinely Abraham's steward and that there really was
an Isaac waiting for her at trail's end. Becky left home with one stranger to marry
yet another stranger. But by the time they arrived, Abraham's trusty steward had
proved himself to Becky that her escorts were all trustworthy men and only meant
good by her.
● Gen 24:62 . . Isaac had just come back from the vicinity of Beer-lahai-roi, for he
was settled in the region of the Negeb.
Beer-lahai-roi was the source of water where Hagar met God for the very first time;
and her experience caused the well to be named the way it was in Gen 16:13-14.
Hagar's water source became not only somewhat of a holy monument, but also an
important watering hole for people with flocks and herds down there in the Negev;
thanks to a runaway slave girl.
● Gen 24:63a . . And Isaac went out walking in the field toward evening
The precise location of this field is uncertain. Since Isaac's ranch was in the Negev,
near Hagar's well, that might be where this next scene occurred.
There lacks a consensus opinion among Jewish scholars as to the precise meaning
of the Hebrew word laasuwach, which is translated "walking" in some Bibles; and
"meditate" in others. The JPS rendering, "walking" is based upon the Arabic saha.
Tradition has it that Isaac was out in the field for reflection and prayer. What might
he be praying about?
Well, most likely about his impending marriage to a mail-order bride. If Rebecca
was at all nervous, you can bet Isaac was just as nervous himself. These two were
going to be joined at the hip for the rest of their lives and they had yet to even
meet. Will they fit together like the left and right of a pair of old shoes, or will they
chafe each other like flint and steel?
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:63b-64a . . and, looking up, he saw camels approaching. Raising her
eyes, Rebecca saw Isaac.
I've heard the wording suggests a simultaneous meeting of the eyes. Isaac saw
Rebecca just when she saw him. Rebecca couldn't be positive at that moment the
man she saw was her future husband; but one thing Isaac knew: his dad's servant
didn't leave home with female passengers. One of those women out there on the
camels had to be meant for him.
● Gen 24:64b . . She alighted from the camel
Suspecting that the man up ahead just might be her future husband, Rebecca took
no chances of getting off on the wrong foot with impropriety. She could always get
back up on the camel if it turned out the man wasn't her Isaac; but just in case . . .
● Gen 24:65a . . and said to the servant: Who is that man walking in the field
toward us? And the servant said: That is my master.
Well; the man approaching was much too young to be Abraham, and there was
only one other person on the whole planet that Abraham's servant would ever call
his master-- the heir apparent.
● Gen 24:65b . . So she took her veil and covered herself.
Becky's veil was a full body wrap, similar to a burqa; not just a stylish hijab or a
cute little semi-transparent scarf in front of her face. In Akkadian, the bride on her
wedding day was called kallatu kutumtu, (the veiled bride).
Also, in Akkadian; she was called pussumtu, (the veiled one), which means the
same as kallatu, (bride). In that day, Rebecca's veil had both symbolic and socio
legal significance.
It was an unmistakable signal to Isaac that among all those ladies riding along with
his dad's servant that day; the burqa-ette was to be his wife.
This meeting is interesting. We spent quite a bit of time viewing the character, the
background, and the beauty of a really outstanding young woman in the beginning
of this chapter. But it's all under wraps now in the presence of the groom. Becky is
doing absolutely nothing to attract Isaac at this point. In fact, Isaac can't even see
past the veil to what a gorgeous package of womanhood that Becky really is.
The anonymous steward who went north to speak with Becky on Isaac's behalf, will
now speak with Isaac on Becky's behalf. Thus, Abraham's steward will be an
ambassador for both Isaac and Rebecca; and when he's done, Becky will know all
she needs to know at this point about Isaac, and Isaac will know all he needs to
know at this point about Rebecca; even before they meet each other for the very
first time.
● Gen 24:66 . .The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
The steward's responsibility was to canvas Abraham's kin for a bridal candidate,
engage the girl to marry Isaac, gain her consent to leave home, and then transport
her safely back to Palestine. Next hurdle: Isaac's acceptance of the candidate. The
marriage still isn't set in concrete yet until Isaac meets Becky and voluntarily
accepts her to be his wife.
But this phase of the romance is out of the steward's jurisdiction. It's not his
responsibility to make the couple like each other. He only had to bring them
together. (cf. John 6:44)
● Gen 24:67a . . Isaac then brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah,
That tent was once Abraham's home. His choice to donate it for Becky's temporary
quarters was very thoughtful, and must have meant a lot to her; since at this point,
Becky was far from home, family, and friends; and her future was in doubt. Meeting
one's future in-laws can prove a bit scary for some. To be given Sarah's tent was a
very good indication that Isaac's dad was pleased, and that the girl was okay by
him.
She, and her nurse, and her maidens would live in the donated domicile until such
a time as the marriage was performed, or (if Isaac didn't like her) until she was
sent back home. There's more to marriage than just business; after all, marriage is
a union of two people-- and people have feelings. It's one thing to do your duty,
but it's quite another to feel loved-- and marriage really ought to have some love in
it after all.
_
● Gen 24:63b-64a . . and, looking up, he saw camels approaching. Raising her
eyes, Rebecca saw Isaac.
I've heard the wording suggests a simultaneous meeting of the eyes. Isaac saw
Rebecca just when she saw him. Rebecca couldn't be positive at that moment the
man she saw was her future husband; but one thing Isaac knew: his dad's servant
didn't leave home with female passengers. One of those women out there on the
camels had to be meant for him.
● Gen 24:64b . . She alighted from the camel
Suspecting that the man up ahead just might be her future husband, Rebecca took
no chances of getting off on the wrong foot with impropriety. She could always get
back up on the camel if it turned out the man wasn't her Isaac; but just in case . . .
● Gen 24:65a . . and said to the servant: Who is that man walking in the field
toward us? And the servant said: That is my master.
Well; the man approaching was much too young to be Abraham, and there was
only one other person on the whole planet that Abraham's servant would ever call
his master-- the heir apparent.
● Gen 24:65b . . So she took her veil and covered herself.
Becky's veil was a full body wrap, similar to a burqa; not just a stylish hijab or a
cute little semi-transparent scarf in front of her face. In Akkadian, the bride on her
wedding day was called kallatu kutumtu, (the veiled bride).
Also, in Akkadian; she was called pussumtu, (the veiled one), which means the
same as kallatu, (bride). In that day, Rebecca's veil had both symbolic and socio
legal significance.
It was an unmistakable signal to Isaac that among all those ladies riding along with
his dad's servant that day; the burqa-ette was to be his wife.
This meeting is interesting. We spent quite a bit of time viewing the character, the
background, and the beauty of a really outstanding young woman in the beginning
of this chapter. But it's all under wraps now in the presence of the groom. Becky is
doing absolutely nothing to attract Isaac at this point. In fact, Isaac can't even see
past the veil to what a gorgeous package of womanhood that Becky really is.
The anonymous steward who went north to speak with Becky on Isaac's behalf, will
now speak with Isaac on Becky's behalf. Thus, Abraham's steward will be an
ambassador for both Isaac and Rebecca; and when he's done, Becky will know all
she needs to know at this point about Isaac, and Isaac will know all he needs to
know at this point about Rebecca; even before they meet each other for the very
first time.
● Gen 24:66 . .The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
The steward's responsibility was to canvas Abraham's kin for a bridal candidate,
engage the girl to marry Isaac, gain her consent to leave home, and then transport
her safely back to Palestine. Next hurdle: Isaac's acceptance of the candidate. The
marriage still isn't set in concrete yet until Isaac meets Becky and voluntarily
accepts her to be his wife.
But this phase of the romance is out of the steward's jurisdiction. It's not his
responsibility to make the couple like each other. He only had to bring them
together. (cf. John 6:44)
● Gen 24:67a . . Isaac then brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah,
That tent was once Abraham's home. His choice to donate it for Becky's temporary
quarters was very thoughtful, and must have meant a lot to her; since at this point,
Becky was far from home, family, and friends; and her future was in doubt. Meeting
one's future in-laws can prove a bit scary for some. To be given Sarah's tent was a
very good indication that Isaac's dad was pleased, and that the girl was okay by
him.
She, and her nurse, and her maidens would live in the donated domicile until such
a time as the marriage was performed, or (if Isaac didn't like her) until she was
sent back home. There's more to marriage than just business; after all, marriage is
a union of two people-- and people have feelings. It's one thing to do your duty,
but it's quite another to feel loved-- and marriage really ought to have some love in
it after all.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 24:67b . . and he took Rebecca as his wife.
The literal of that verse is: he took Rebecca and she became his wife. The meaning
of "he took" Rebecca, is that Isaac accepted her. The meaning of "she became his
wife" is that Rebecca accepted Isaac. So that the marriage was between two people
who truly accepted each other; rather than between two people who were stuck
with each other. It turned out that those two went together like a pair of old shoes:
quite literally a match made in heaven.
● Gen 24:67c . . Isaac loved her,
The Hebrew word translated "love" basically means to have affection for. This
instance is only the second time in the first twenty-four chapters of Genesis where
that word appears. The other was in chapter 22, just prior to the Akedah, when
God asked Abraham to "Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the
heights that I will point out to you."
So Isaac was genuinely fond of Rebecca just as much as Abraham was genuinely
fond of Isaac The couple's union wasn't just another arranged marriage like so
many of the others in that day; theirs was truly a romance.
● Gen 24:67d . . and thus found comfort after his mother's death.
All too often, men experience very little happiness with their mothers during
boyhood. A callous mom can easily become a boy's worst influence, and
permanently warp his attitude towards women for the remainder of his life; even
leading to male frigidity.
But Isaac's mom wasn't like that at all. Sarah was not only a good mother to Isaac,
but she was also a really good buddy too. In spite of her domineering personality,
Sarah and Isaac had somehow managed to become good friends; and her loss left
a big hole in his heart. It would take a very special girl to repair that hole. Well,
Rebecca was just the one to do it. She not only replaced Sarah in the matriarchy,
but she also replaced Sarah as the female buddy in Isaac's life.
● Gen 25:1 . . Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.
According to 1Chrn 1:32, Ms. Keturah wasn't really a full-fledged wife as Sarah had
been, but was a wife of a different color altogether. The Hebrew word basically
means a mistress or a paramour; viz: a concubine. So that Gen 25:1 really should
be translated: "Abraham took another woman"
It was considered okay in those days for men to sire children by concubines and
nobody seemed to think much of it. But at Abraham's age!? Wow! Earlier, at Gen
17:17, Abraham considered himself much to old to father a child; and in truth, he
was.
"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren -
was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made
the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants
as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."
(Heb 11:11-12)
Not only was Sarah miraculously made fertile in her old age, but so was her
husband Abraham. In fact his libido, and his fertility, were so well repaired that the
old boy couldn't leave the ladies alone even after he was more than 140 years old!
● Gen 25:2-4 . . She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim,
the Letushim, and the Leummim. The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher,
Enoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.
Where did Abraham find Keturah? Was she an Egyptian like Hagar? Was she maybe
a local Canaanite; possibly from Ephron's clan, the guy who sold Abraham a plot for
Sarah's cemetery? No. If Abraham wouldn't let Isaac marry a women of Canaan,
then he sure wasn't going to sleep with one himself.
Was she from Haran; Rebecca's home town? Nobody really knows and it doesn't
even matter anyway. None of Keturah's children would share in the ownership of
Eretz Israel-- only Isaac's progeny. It all went to him by Divine fiat.
_
● Gen 24:67b . . and he took Rebecca as his wife.
The literal of that verse is: he took Rebecca and she became his wife. The meaning
of "he took" Rebecca, is that Isaac accepted her. The meaning of "she became his
wife" is that Rebecca accepted Isaac. So that the marriage was between two people
who truly accepted each other; rather than between two people who were stuck
with each other. It turned out that those two went together like a pair of old shoes:
quite literally a match made in heaven.
● Gen 24:67c . . Isaac loved her,
The Hebrew word translated "love" basically means to have affection for. This
instance is only the second time in the first twenty-four chapters of Genesis where
that word appears. The other was in chapter 22, just prior to the Akedah, when
God asked Abraham to "Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the
heights that I will point out to you."
So Isaac was genuinely fond of Rebecca just as much as Abraham was genuinely
fond of Isaac The couple's union wasn't just another arranged marriage like so
many of the others in that day; theirs was truly a romance.
● Gen 24:67d . . and thus found comfort after his mother's death.
All too often, men experience very little happiness with their mothers during
boyhood. A callous mom can easily become a boy's worst influence, and
permanently warp his attitude towards women for the remainder of his life; even
leading to male frigidity.
But Isaac's mom wasn't like that at all. Sarah was not only a good mother to Isaac,
but she was also a really good buddy too. In spite of her domineering personality,
Sarah and Isaac had somehow managed to become good friends; and her loss left
a big hole in his heart. It would take a very special girl to repair that hole. Well,
Rebecca was just the one to do it. She not only replaced Sarah in the matriarchy,
but she also replaced Sarah as the female buddy in Isaac's life.
● Gen 25:1 . . Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.
According to 1Chrn 1:32, Ms. Keturah wasn't really a full-fledged wife as Sarah had
been, but was a wife of a different color altogether. The Hebrew word basically
means a mistress or a paramour; viz: a concubine. So that Gen 25:1 really should
be translated: "Abraham took another woman"
It was considered okay in those days for men to sire children by concubines and
nobody seemed to think much of it. But at Abraham's age!? Wow! Earlier, at Gen
17:17, Abraham considered himself much to old to father a child; and in truth, he
was.
"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren -
was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made
the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants
as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."
(Heb 11:11-12)
Not only was Sarah miraculously made fertile in her old age, but so was her
husband Abraham. In fact his libido, and his fertility, were so well repaired that the
old boy couldn't leave the ladies alone even after he was more than 140 years old!
● Gen 25:2-4 . . She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim,
the Letushim, and the Leummim. The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher,
Enoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.
Where did Abraham find Keturah? Was she an Egyptian like Hagar? Was she maybe
a local Canaanite; possibly from Ephron's clan, the guy who sold Abraham a plot for
Sarah's cemetery? No. If Abraham wouldn't let Isaac marry a women of Canaan,
then he sure wasn't going to sleep with one himself.
Was she from Haran; Rebecca's home town? Nobody really knows and it doesn't
even matter anyway. None of Keturah's children would share in the ownership of
Eretz Israel-- only Isaac's progeny. It all went to him by Divine fiat.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:5 . . Abraham willed all that he owned to Isaac;
Abraham had already willed all that he owned to Isaac even before any of Keturah's
boys were born. The servant told Becky's family so back in chapter 24. This verse is
just to make sure nobody forgets that Isaac is the only son that really matters.
● Gen 25:6a . . but to Abraham's sons by concubines Abraham gave gifts while he
was still living,
When Ishmael was cut loose back in chapter 21, there was no mention of gifts. In
fact, they left home with hardly anything at all. Apparently, later on, Ishmael
returned to visit his dad on occasion and Abraham eventually compensated him for
the loss of his firstborn rights. Abraham's generosity towards his sons was a right
thing to do.
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." (1Tim 5:8)
Rather than stipulate his sons' inheritances in a written will, Abraham took care of
them all while he was still alive; probably to make sure there was no squabbling
over his estate in probate after he was dead and thereby possibly jeopardizing
Isaac's future.
● Gen 25:6b . . and he sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of
the East.
The "land of the East" is a general name for Arabia, which stretched away to the
southeast and east of the point where Abraham resided in the south of Palestine.
The northern part of Arabia, which lay due east of Palestine, was formerly more
fertile and populous than now.
Sending someone away is not really the same as driving them off; but more like a
send-off; viz: a bon voyage (e.g. Gen 24:59). It's far more likely Abraham helped
them all get settled outside of Canaan rather than leave them to the whims of fate.
Once settled into their own territories, the other boys would be less inclined to
muscle in on Isaac's turf or freeload off him in the event they fell onto hard times.
● Gen 25:7 . .This was the total span of Abraham's life: one hundred and seventy
five years.
Abraham resided in Canaan for 100 years; and outlived Sarah by 48. That's not the
way it usually happens here in modern America. Wives typically outlive their
husbands; and if you don't think that's true, just visit any one of a number of
retirement communities. Men over 80 who can still walk on their own, and drive a
car, are like the proverbial fox in a henhouse. As of 2019, the male/female ratio for
people aged 85 and older was 58% more women than men.
● Gen 25:8a . . And Abraham breathed his last,
Abraham lived to see Jacob's and Esau's fifteenth birthday. The twins were born
when Isaac was sixty. And Abraham died when Isaac was seventy-five. So the boys
got to know their grandpa pretty good before the old master passed on.
Abraham lived a very brief life in comparison to his forbearers. From Noah's point of
view, who lived to 950, Abraham practically died as a child. Out ahead in the new
world, a man of a hundred years old will be considered just a kid. (Isa 65;19-20)
The human life span has steadily declined since Noah's day, and now the average
American, even with all the food, and the most advanced medical care in the world,
only lives on average about 77 years or so.
● Gen 25:8b . . dying at a good age, old and contented;
Too many people die at a bad age; viz: too soon-- for example all the teens who
died in the Viet Nam war, and the ones killed in Afghanistan.
The word for "contented" basically means: satiated. In other words: Abraham didn't
die unfulfilled; he lived a very satisfying life: he touched all the bases.
Thoreau once said that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Well; that
doesn't fit Abraham. He never wished his life had turned out differently.
"Piety with contentment is great gain." (1Tim 6:9)
_
● Gen 25:5 . . Abraham willed all that he owned to Isaac;
Abraham had already willed all that he owned to Isaac even before any of Keturah's
boys were born. The servant told Becky's family so back in chapter 24. This verse is
just to make sure nobody forgets that Isaac is the only son that really matters.
● Gen 25:6a . . but to Abraham's sons by concubines Abraham gave gifts while he
was still living,
When Ishmael was cut loose back in chapter 21, there was no mention of gifts. In
fact, they left home with hardly anything at all. Apparently, later on, Ishmael
returned to visit his dad on occasion and Abraham eventually compensated him for
the loss of his firstborn rights. Abraham's generosity towards his sons was a right
thing to do.
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." (1Tim 5:8)
Rather than stipulate his sons' inheritances in a written will, Abraham took care of
them all while he was still alive; probably to make sure there was no squabbling
over his estate in probate after he was dead and thereby possibly jeopardizing
Isaac's future.
● Gen 25:6b . . and he sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of
the East.
The "land of the East" is a general name for Arabia, which stretched away to the
southeast and east of the point where Abraham resided in the south of Palestine.
The northern part of Arabia, which lay due east of Palestine, was formerly more
fertile and populous than now.
Sending someone away is not really the same as driving them off; but more like a
send-off; viz: a bon voyage (e.g. Gen 24:59). It's far more likely Abraham helped
them all get settled outside of Canaan rather than leave them to the whims of fate.
Once settled into their own territories, the other boys would be less inclined to
muscle in on Isaac's turf or freeload off him in the event they fell onto hard times.
● Gen 25:7 . .This was the total span of Abraham's life: one hundred and seventy
five years.
Abraham resided in Canaan for 100 years; and outlived Sarah by 48. That's not the
way it usually happens here in modern America. Wives typically outlive their
husbands; and if you don't think that's true, just visit any one of a number of
retirement communities. Men over 80 who can still walk on their own, and drive a
car, are like the proverbial fox in a henhouse. As of 2019, the male/female ratio for
people aged 85 and older was 58% more women than men.
● Gen 25:8a . . And Abraham breathed his last,
Abraham lived to see Jacob's and Esau's fifteenth birthday. The twins were born
when Isaac was sixty. And Abraham died when Isaac was seventy-five. So the boys
got to know their grandpa pretty good before the old master passed on.
Abraham lived a very brief life in comparison to his forbearers. From Noah's point of
view, who lived to 950, Abraham practically died as a child. Out ahead in the new
world, a man of a hundred years old will be considered just a kid. (Isa 65;19-20)
The human life span has steadily declined since Noah's day, and now the average
American, even with all the food, and the most advanced medical care in the world,
only lives on average about 77 years or so.
● Gen 25:8b . . dying at a good age, old and contented;
Too many people die at a bad age; viz: too soon-- for example all the teens who
died in the Viet Nam war, and the ones killed in Afghanistan.
The word for "contented" basically means: satiated. In other words: Abraham didn't
die unfulfilled; he lived a very satisfying life: he touched all the bases.
Thoreau once said that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Well; that
doesn't fit Abraham. He never wished his life had turned out differently.
"Piety with contentment is great gain." (1Tim 6:9)
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:8c . . and he was gathered to his kin.
Burials always follow the phrase "gathered to his kin". So the gathering happens as
soon as the person dies; and prior to their funeral. The difference between
gathering and burial is quite distinct in Jacob's case. He was interred no less than
forty days after his passing, yet was gathered to his kin immediately upon expiring.
(Gen 49:33-50:3)
It would seem, therefore, that the employment of this idiom-- like the
corresponding figure of speech: to lie down with one's fathers --refers to an ancient
belief that despite Man's mortality, he possesses a rather durable component that
survives beyond the death of his body. In other words: assassins may terminate
the life of a human body; but they cannot terminate the life of a human soul. Not
that it's impossible; it's just that only man's maker has the power to pull that off.
"Don't be afraid of them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but
rather be afraid of Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt
10:28)
● Gen 25:9a . . His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him
Isaac and Ishmael were by far the oldest of all the boys. At the time, they lived
reasonably close to each other and I would not be surprised if Ishmael came up to
visit Abraham quite often and was always aware of his health.
Abraham was 86 years old when his first son was born; so Ishmael would be going
on 90 when his dad died. (cf. Gen 16:16 & Gen 25:7) and Isaac would've been 75
since he was born when Abraham was 100 (cf. Gen 21:5 & Gen 25:7) making the
men 14 years difference in age.
Both of these guys were older and wiser men by this time. I'm sure Ishmael
understood that the loss of his birthright due to his mother's emancipation wasn't
Isaac's fault. And Isaac harbors no ill will towards his half-brother for anything he
may have done as a kid. After all, grown-ups are no longer the kids they grew
from. The kids they were are long gone. It's not a good thing to hold grudges
against people for the things they did when they were underage.
● Gen 25:9b-10 . . in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the
Hittite, facing Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; there
Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.
No doubt when Abraham negotiated for this property, he anticipated his own
eventual interment. Well, this cave is big enough to become a family crypt. Later,
more of his posterity would follow him there.
● Gen 25:11a . . After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac.
With the death of Abraham, the covenant torch is passed on to the next patriarch.
The promises now shift into Isaac's possession and it becomes his responsibility to
take over as the family priest too.
● Gen 25:11b . . And Isaac settled near Beer-lahai-roi.
Everyone else from Abraham's camp settled there too now that Isaac is the new
godfather. All of Abraham's servants, all his livestock, all the camels, all everything;
the whole shebang is Isaac's and follows Isaac wherever Isaac tells them to go. You
know, it's very difficult to forget Hagar while the Bible continues to mention a very
sacred spot dear to her own heart. But this is the very last mention of Beer-lahai
roi. It's as if Abraham's era is closing and now we move forward into Isaac's.
● Gen 25:12 . .This is the line of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the
Egyptian, Sarah's slave, bore to Abraham.
Never once is Hagar listed as one of Abraham's wives. She was Sarah's slave; and
nothing more. Genesis gives Ishmael's line only passing mention because the real
focus lies along the covenant line. So we won't follow Ishmael's exploits after listing
his progeny.
_
● Gen 25:8c . . and he was gathered to his kin.
Burials always follow the phrase "gathered to his kin". So the gathering happens as
soon as the person dies; and prior to their funeral. The difference between
gathering and burial is quite distinct in Jacob's case. He was interred no less than
forty days after his passing, yet was gathered to his kin immediately upon expiring.
(Gen 49:33-50:3)
It would seem, therefore, that the employment of this idiom-- like the
corresponding figure of speech: to lie down with one's fathers --refers to an ancient
belief that despite Man's mortality, he possesses a rather durable component that
survives beyond the death of his body. In other words: assassins may terminate
the life of a human body; but they cannot terminate the life of a human soul. Not
that it's impossible; it's just that only man's maker has the power to pull that off.
"Don't be afraid of them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but
rather be afraid of Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt
10:28)
● Gen 25:9a . . His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him
Isaac and Ishmael were by far the oldest of all the boys. At the time, they lived
reasonably close to each other and I would not be surprised if Ishmael came up to
visit Abraham quite often and was always aware of his health.
Abraham was 86 years old when his first son was born; so Ishmael would be going
on 90 when his dad died. (cf. Gen 16:16 & Gen 25:7) and Isaac would've been 75
since he was born when Abraham was 100 (cf. Gen 21:5 & Gen 25:7) making the
men 14 years difference in age.
Both of these guys were older and wiser men by this time. I'm sure Ishmael
understood that the loss of his birthright due to his mother's emancipation wasn't
Isaac's fault. And Isaac harbors no ill will towards his half-brother for anything he
may have done as a kid. After all, grown-ups are no longer the kids they grew
from. The kids they were are long gone. It's not a good thing to hold grudges
against people for the things they did when they were underage.
● Gen 25:9b-10 . . in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the
Hittite, facing Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; there
Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.
No doubt when Abraham negotiated for this property, he anticipated his own
eventual interment. Well, this cave is big enough to become a family crypt. Later,
more of his posterity would follow him there.
● Gen 25:11a . . After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac.
With the death of Abraham, the covenant torch is passed on to the next patriarch.
The promises now shift into Isaac's possession and it becomes his responsibility to
take over as the family priest too.
● Gen 25:11b . . And Isaac settled near Beer-lahai-roi.
Everyone else from Abraham's camp settled there too now that Isaac is the new
godfather. All of Abraham's servants, all his livestock, all the camels, all everything;
the whole shebang is Isaac's and follows Isaac wherever Isaac tells them to go. You
know, it's very difficult to forget Hagar while the Bible continues to mention a very
sacred spot dear to her own heart. But this is the very last mention of Beer-lahai
roi. It's as if Abraham's era is closing and now we move forward into Isaac's.
● Gen 25:12 . .This is the line of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the
Egyptian, Sarah's slave, bore to Abraham.
Never once is Hagar listed as one of Abraham's wives. She was Sarah's slave; and
nothing more. Genesis gives Ishmael's line only passing mention because the real
focus lies along the covenant line. So we won't follow Ishmael's exploits after listing
his progeny.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:13-16 . .These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in
the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the first-born of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedmah. These are the
sons of Ishmael and these are their names by their villages and by their
encampments: twelve chieftains of as many tribes.
Twelve tribes; just as God had foretold in Gen 17:20. These twelve "encampments"
were little more than nomadic tent communities as compared to the more
permanent fortified towns and hamlets that were common in the Canaan of Isaac's
day.
● Gen 25:17 . .These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty
seven years; then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his kin.
When Ishmael was "gathered to his kin" it wasn't to Abraham's clan but to his own:
the Ishmael line. However, Abraham remained Ishmael's biological father whether
Ishmael was legally his son or not. You can never change who sired you. Your
human origin is impossible to reverse or alter; though it can be legally dissolved.
● Gen 25:18 . .They dwelt from Havilah, by Shur, which is close to Egypt, all the
way to Asshur; they camped alongside all their kinsmen.
The "they" in this verse are the kin of verse 17 unto whom Ishmael was gathered.
Even though Ishmael's line isn't actually legal kin to Abraham's progeny, the line is
still related to the other boys by blood and therefore biological kinsman.
The expression "all the way to Asshur" is probably better rendered "as you go to
Asshur" or "on the way to Asshur"-- ancient Assyria, now modern day Iraq. The
Ishmaelites lived along the main caravan route leading from Egypt to Assyria;
which would be very advantageous if you were into international trading, which
they were. (cf. Gen 37:25-28)
The precise locations of the Havilah and Shur of verse 18 are unknown; although
it's fairly safe to assume that Havilah (sandy), and Shur delineated a region
stretching from portions of modern day Jordan and Saudi Arabia, past Elat, across
the northern Sinai Peninsula, and on over to Suez. In the time of Saul, Ishmael's
territory was controlled by a people called Amalekites. (1Sam 15:7)
● Gen 25:19 . .This is the story of Isaac, son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac.
The word for "son" is ben (bane) and is used like American's use a middle name.
Isaac's whole name is Isaac ben Abraham. It's a common idiom in the Old
Testament.
● Gen 25:20a . . Isaac was forty years old when he took to wife Rebecca,
Forty years-old might seem a bit late in life to get married for the first time, but in
those days, a forty year-old man was still quite young.
The average life expectancy of a USA male born in 2016 was 76.1 years. Isaac lived
to 180; so at his marriage to Rebecca, he was about the equivalent of a modern 17
year-old. Jacob himself didn't marry Leah and Rachel and until he was over 80--
attesting to the robust health and longevity that men enjoyed in those days.
● Gen 25:20b . . daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban
the Aramean.
The identity of Rebecca's mom remains a total mystery.
By the time of Moses, uncle Laban was a large figure in Jewish history and you can
safely bet the people of Israel were very familiar with that old rascal's ways. He
mistreated not only Jacob, but also Leah and Rachel too, so he's not too popular
with the people of Israel even today; seeing as how he was unkind and dishonest
with their sacred ancestors and all.
The holiday of Purim commemorates an Agagite named Haman, who tried to
exterminate the Jews in Esther's day. Maybe there should be a memorial for Laban
too. Although he wasn't a villain on the scale of Haman, he nevertheless made ol'
Jacob's life pretty miserable there for a while.
_
● Gen 25:13-16 . .These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in
the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the first-born of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedmah. These are the
sons of Ishmael and these are their names by their villages and by their
encampments: twelve chieftains of as many tribes.
Twelve tribes; just as God had foretold in Gen 17:20. These twelve "encampments"
were little more than nomadic tent communities as compared to the more
permanent fortified towns and hamlets that were common in the Canaan of Isaac's
day.
● Gen 25:17 . .These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty
seven years; then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his kin.
When Ishmael was "gathered to his kin" it wasn't to Abraham's clan but to his own:
the Ishmael line. However, Abraham remained Ishmael's biological father whether
Ishmael was legally his son or not. You can never change who sired you. Your
human origin is impossible to reverse or alter; though it can be legally dissolved.
● Gen 25:18 . .They dwelt from Havilah, by Shur, which is close to Egypt, all the
way to Asshur; they camped alongside all their kinsmen.
The "they" in this verse are the kin of verse 17 unto whom Ishmael was gathered.
Even though Ishmael's line isn't actually legal kin to Abraham's progeny, the line is
still related to the other boys by blood and therefore biological kinsman.
The expression "all the way to Asshur" is probably better rendered "as you go to
Asshur" or "on the way to Asshur"-- ancient Assyria, now modern day Iraq. The
Ishmaelites lived along the main caravan route leading from Egypt to Assyria;
which would be very advantageous if you were into international trading, which
they were. (cf. Gen 37:25-28)
The precise locations of the Havilah and Shur of verse 18 are unknown; although
it's fairly safe to assume that Havilah (sandy), and Shur delineated a region
stretching from portions of modern day Jordan and Saudi Arabia, past Elat, across
the northern Sinai Peninsula, and on over to Suez. In the time of Saul, Ishmael's
territory was controlled by a people called Amalekites. (1Sam 15:7)
● Gen 25:19 . .This is the story of Isaac, son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac.
The word for "son" is ben (bane) and is used like American's use a middle name.
Isaac's whole name is Isaac ben Abraham. It's a common idiom in the Old
Testament.
● Gen 25:20a . . Isaac was forty years old when he took to wife Rebecca,
Forty years-old might seem a bit late in life to get married for the first time, but in
those days, a forty year-old man was still quite young.
The average life expectancy of a USA male born in 2016 was 76.1 years. Isaac lived
to 180; so at his marriage to Rebecca, he was about the equivalent of a modern 17
year-old. Jacob himself didn't marry Leah and Rachel and until he was over 80--
attesting to the robust health and longevity that men enjoyed in those days.
● Gen 25:20b . . daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban
the Aramean.
The identity of Rebecca's mom remains a total mystery.
By the time of Moses, uncle Laban was a large figure in Jewish history and you can
safely bet the people of Israel were very familiar with that old rascal's ways. He
mistreated not only Jacob, but also Leah and Rachel too, so he's not too popular
with the people of Israel even today; seeing as how he was unkind and dishonest
with their sacred ancestors and all.
The holiday of Purim commemorates an Agagite named Haman, who tried to
exterminate the Jews in Esther's day. Maybe there should be a memorial for Laban
too. Although he wasn't a villain on the scale of Haman, he nevertheless made ol'
Jacob's life pretty miserable there for a while.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:21a . . Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was
barren;
Oh no, not again! It seems like all the really attractive girls among Terah's female
grandchildren had some sort of infertility condition.
Supposing Isaac never prayed for Rebecca. Would she have children? Absolutely!
God gave his word to Abraham in Gen 17:19 that Isaac would become a very
numerous people. So Rebecca was going to be a mommy; it was only a matter of
time. But about one thing I think we can be sure of: Isaac didn't want to wait until
Rebecca was ninety years old like his mom before having their first baby.
This is now the second time that the people of Israel were perpetuated by a
miracle-- proving they are no ordinary people, but a people who wouldn't exist at
all if God hadn't willed them into existence and into perpetuity.
● Gen 25:21b . . and the Lord responded to his plea, and his wife Rebecca
conceived.
The twins Jacob and Esau were born when Isaac was 60 years old. So Isaac and
Rebecca had been trying to have children for about 19 years. There is no record
that Abraham ever prayed concerning Sarah's infertility. He dealt with the problem
in another way.
Isaac, rather than follow the example of papa Abraham and sleep with one of the
maids; did the wise thing by electing to petition God to cure his wife so they could
have their own baby. There is of course no guarantee prayer will work for everyone,
but it was just the ticket for them.
Youngsters can learn from their parents mistakes. If there was one thing you can
bet Isaac did not want in his family, it was another Ishmael. Not that Ishmael was a
bad seed, but his place in Abraham's home was a catalyst in generating much
friction and rivalry, and also caused an inheritance problem for Isaac; not to
mention Abraham's eventual heartbreak of finally emancipating Hagar and thus
sending her and Ishmael off to fend for themselves.
● Gen 25:22a . . But the children struggled in her womb,
The Hebrew word for "struggled" basically means to crack in pieces, literally or
figuratively, i.e. smash.
Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw. Were those tiny little babies were trying to bust each
other's skulls in there! The word is used just like that in a couple of places. (e.g.
Jgs 9:53, Ps 74:12-13) But I think it is more likely that each just wanted to dominate
the other. (e.g. Deut 28:33-34, Jgs 10:6-8)
● Gen 25:22b . . and she said: If so, why do I exist?
That rendering is a bit murky. I think it would be better to paraphrase it: "If this is
the case; then what am I doing here?"
Although Genesis revealed in verse 22a that Rebecca was carrying more than one
child, and that the children were struggling for domination in the womb, the author
wrote from inspiration and hind sight while Rebecca herself had no way of knowing
what was going on at the time. It must have appeared to her that she was having a
difficult pregnancy and in grave danger of dying in child birth.
That of course would make no sense at all to Rebecca because she was chosen for
Isaac's wife by Divine providence; and her pregnancy was the result of Isaac's
intercession. What was the point of going to all that trouble if she was only going to
die right along with their first baby? In her mind, she certainly would have been
much better off to have remained up north with her family than leave home with
the servant to marry Isaac and lose her life bearing his child.
_
● Gen 25:21a . . Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was
barren;
Oh no, not again! It seems like all the really attractive girls among Terah's female
grandchildren had some sort of infertility condition.
Supposing Isaac never prayed for Rebecca. Would she have children? Absolutely!
God gave his word to Abraham in Gen 17:19 that Isaac would become a very
numerous people. So Rebecca was going to be a mommy; it was only a matter of
time. But about one thing I think we can be sure of: Isaac didn't want to wait until
Rebecca was ninety years old like his mom before having their first baby.
This is now the second time that the people of Israel were perpetuated by a
miracle-- proving they are no ordinary people, but a people who wouldn't exist at
all if God hadn't willed them into existence and into perpetuity.
● Gen 25:21b . . and the Lord responded to his plea, and his wife Rebecca
conceived.
The twins Jacob and Esau were born when Isaac was 60 years old. So Isaac and
Rebecca had been trying to have children for about 19 years. There is no record
that Abraham ever prayed concerning Sarah's infertility. He dealt with the problem
in another way.
Isaac, rather than follow the example of papa Abraham and sleep with one of the
maids; did the wise thing by electing to petition God to cure his wife so they could
have their own baby. There is of course no guarantee prayer will work for everyone,
but it was just the ticket for them.
Youngsters can learn from their parents mistakes. If there was one thing you can
bet Isaac did not want in his family, it was another Ishmael. Not that Ishmael was a
bad seed, but his place in Abraham's home was a catalyst in generating much
friction and rivalry, and also caused an inheritance problem for Isaac; not to
mention Abraham's eventual heartbreak of finally emancipating Hagar and thus
sending her and Ishmael off to fend for themselves.
● Gen 25:22a . . But the children struggled in her womb,
The Hebrew word for "struggled" basically means to crack in pieces, literally or
figuratively, i.e. smash.
Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw. Were those tiny little babies were trying to bust each
other's skulls in there! The word is used just like that in a couple of places. (e.g.
Jgs 9:53, Ps 74:12-13) But I think it is more likely that each just wanted to dominate
the other. (e.g. Deut 28:33-34, Jgs 10:6-8)
● Gen 25:22b . . and she said: If so, why do I exist?
That rendering is a bit murky. I think it would be better to paraphrase it: "If this is
the case; then what am I doing here?"
Although Genesis revealed in verse 22a that Rebecca was carrying more than one
child, and that the children were struggling for domination in the womb, the author
wrote from inspiration and hind sight while Rebecca herself had no way of knowing
what was going on at the time. It must have appeared to her that she was having a
difficult pregnancy and in grave danger of dying in child birth.
That of course would make no sense at all to Rebecca because she was chosen for
Isaac's wife by Divine providence; and her pregnancy was the result of Isaac's
intercession. What was the point of going to all that trouble if she was only going to
die right along with their first baby? In her mind, she certainly would have been
much better off to have remained up north with her family than leave home with
the servant to marry Isaac and lose her life bearing his child.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:22c . . She went to inquire of the Lord,
Isaac had settled near Beer-lahai-roi, the very water source where Hagar met with
God. It's possible Rebecca met with God there too.
● Gen 25:23 . . and the Lord answered her: Two nations are in your womb, two
separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the
other, and the older shall serve the younger.
The birthright of the son born first isn't inalienable; rather, quite transferable to a
younger member of the family, e.g. Rueben and Joseph (1Chrn 5:1), Mannasah and
Ephraim (Gen 48:13-19), and David and Christ (Ps 101:1 cf. Matt 22:42-45)
● Gen 25:24 . .When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her
womb.
The boys were born together, however they were definitely not identical; either in
physical appearance nor in personality, nor in speech.
● Gen 25:25a . .The first one emerged red, like a hairy mantle all over;
The Hebrew word for "red" is can refer to either red hair or to a reddish, rosy
complexion. In Esau's case, it's difficult to know for certain which applied. That he
was a hairy kid right from birth is uncontested. However, to avoid the association
with red hair; some feel that the conjunction "and" should be inserted just after the
comma, so that the verse would read: The first one emerged red, and hairy all over
like a mantle.
Jacob apparently looked like most babies do at birth: a little cherub; bald and
smooth skinned.
Esau, in contrast, was not only hairy, but because of his fur, he was rough to the
touch; sort of like a woolen G.I. blanket. Esau wasn't your typical cuddly little
tykester. When Rebecca held him, it wasn't like holding a little boy, it was more like
holding a grizzly bear cub, so to speak. Maybe that was a contributing factor in
Rebecca's favoritism of Jacob? How many mothers can really warm up to a baby
who looks like he'll morph into a werewolf any second?
● Gen 25:25b . . they named him Esau.
The meaning of the Hebrew word for Esau isn't known for certain. Some say it
means rough-- like rough to the touch. Others think it might mean to cover, or
envelop like a blanket --a distinct possibility given Esau's appearance as one
covered with hair all over his body. (maybe even on his little tush too.)
● Gen 25:26a . .Then his brother emerged, holding on to the heel of Esau;
That was probably just a natural reflex; but in Jacob's case, there were
ramifications.
● Gen 25:26b . . so they named him Jacob.
The Hebrew word for Jacob basically means heel catcher, which Esau described
like this:
"Esau said: Was he, then, named Jacob that he might supplant me these two
times? First he took away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing!"
(Gen 27:36)
Supplanters take the place of, and/or serve as a substitute for, others; especially
by reason of superior excellence or power. Well Jacob was never really a powerful
man like the men of renown portrayed by Gen 6:4, but his cleverness made up for
it.
● Gen 25:26c . . Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
Isaac married Rebecca at forty (Gen 25:20). If Becky was 18 at her wedding, she
would've been 38 by now. Imagine waiting twenty years to have your first child?
Quite a few modern marriages end long before then.
_
● Gen 25:22c . . She went to inquire of the Lord,
Isaac had settled near Beer-lahai-roi, the very water source where Hagar met with
God. It's possible Rebecca met with God there too.
● Gen 25:23 . . and the Lord answered her: Two nations are in your womb, two
separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the
other, and the older shall serve the younger.
The birthright of the son born first isn't inalienable; rather, quite transferable to a
younger member of the family, e.g. Rueben and Joseph (1Chrn 5:1), Mannasah and
Ephraim (Gen 48:13-19), and David and Christ (Ps 101:1 cf. Matt 22:42-45)
● Gen 25:24 . .When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her
womb.
The boys were born together, however they were definitely not identical; either in
physical appearance nor in personality, nor in speech.
● Gen 25:25a . .The first one emerged red, like a hairy mantle all over;
The Hebrew word for "red" is can refer to either red hair or to a reddish, rosy
complexion. In Esau's case, it's difficult to know for certain which applied. That he
was a hairy kid right from birth is uncontested. However, to avoid the association
with red hair; some feel that the conjunction "and" should be inserted just after the
comma, so that the verse would read: The first one emerged red, and hairy all over
like a mantle.
Jacob apparently looked like most babies do at birth: a little cherub; bald and
smooth skinned.
Esau, in contrast, was not only hairy, but because of his fur, he was rough to the
touch; sort of like a woolen G.I. blanket. Esau wasn't your typical cuddly little
tykester. When Rebecca held him, it wasn't like holding a little boy, it was more like
holding a grizzly bear cub, so to speak. Maybe that was a contributing factor in
Rebecca's favoritism of Jacob? How many mothers can really warm up to a baby
who looks like he'll morph into a werewolf any second?
● Gen 25:25b . . they named him Esau.
The meaning of the Hebrew word for Esau isn't known for certain. Some say it
means rough-- like rough to the touch. Others think it might mean to cover, or
envelop like a blanket --a distinct possibility given Esau's appearance as one
covered with hair all over his body. (maybe even on his little tush too.)
● Gen 25:26a . .Then his brother emerged, holding on to the heel of Esau;
That was probably just a natural reflex; but in Jacob's case, there were
ramifications.
● Gen 25:26b . . so they named him Jacob.
The Hebrew word for Jacob basically means heel catcher, which Esau described
like this:
"Esau said: Was he, then, named Jacob that he might supplant me these two
times? First he took away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing!"
(Gen 27:36)
Supplanters take the place of, and/or serve as a substitute for, others; especially
by reason of superior excellence or power. Well Jacob was never really a powerful
man like the men of renown portrayed by Gen 6:4, but his cleverness made up for
it.
● Gen 25:26c . . Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
Isaac married Rebecca at forty (Gen 25:20). If Becky was 18 at her wedding, she
would've been 38 by now. Imagine waiting twenty years to have your first child?
Quite a few modern marriages end long before then.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:27a . .When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of
the outdoors;
We might say Esau was a man's man.
● Gen 25:27b . . but Jacob was a mild man
Was Jacob a wimp; some kind of a mommy's boy? No. Far from it. The Hebrew
word for "mild" basically means gentle; viz: temperate.
God holds gentleness in very high regard.
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently
consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and
shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Ps 37:10-11)
Webster's defines mild as: gentle in nature or behavior; viz: temperate; in other
words: agreeable, approachable, reasonable, calm, mellow, and self-controlled.
● Gen 25:27c . . who stayed in camp.
Does that mean Jacob never ventured outdoors? No. After all, his family was
pastoral; they lived in tents and spent their whole lives working outdoors. Staying
in camp only means Jacob would rather come on home when the day was over.
Esau was probably off away from home on one safari after another, whereas Jacob
was always nearby.
● Gen 25:28a . . Isaac favored Esau because he had a taste for game;
Up to this point, Esau seems an okay kind of guy. No really serious faults are
readily apparent. Jewish folklore lays some pretty heavy sins upon Esau but none of
them are listed here in chapter 25.
And he seems affable enough. On the pages of Scripture, Esau isn't said to be a
friendless loner, or an angry sociopath; nor into bad habits like drinking, gambling,
murder, robbery, lies, laziness, fighting, disrespect for his parents, blasphemy,
selfishness, foul language, or anything else like that.
Thus far, neither Isaac nor Rebecca have voiced any gripes against either one of
their boys. Isaac does favor Esau more, but only because of the venison that he
prepared for his dad on occasion-- which of course would appeal to Isaac because it
was wild game rather than the meat of domestic animals. Guys sometimes feel
more manly when they eat meat taken in hunting rather than from a local super
market. Isaac is one of those men for whom this proverb rings true: The way to a
man's heart is through this stomach.
● Gen 25:28b . . but Rebecca favored Jacob.
Well, that's understandable. Jacob was always at hand whereas his brother wasn't.
Plus Jacob's personality was no doubt easier on one's nerves, whereas guys like
Esau tend to be center-of-attention addicts; and eclipse everyone else in the room
to the point where you get the feeling they believe themselves the only ones in the
whole wide world that count, and the only excuse for your existence is to be their
audience.
● Gen 25:29 . . Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the open,
famished.
The word for "stew" basically means something boiled, e.g. soup. According to Gen
25:34, one of the ingredients in Jacob's soup was lentils: a type of flat, round seed
related to the pea and is eaten as a vegetable.
● Gen 25:30 . . And Esau said to Jacob: Give me some of that red stuff to gulp
down, for I am famished; which is why he was named Edom.
The Hebrew word for "Edom" basically means rosy.
_
● Gen 25:27a . .When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of
the outdoors;
We might say Esau was a man's man.
● Gen 25:27b . . but Jacob was a mild man
Was Jacob a wimp; some kind of a mommy's boy? No. Far from it. The Hebrew
word for "mild" basically means gentle; viz: temperate.
God holds gentleness in very high regard.
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently
consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and
shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Ps 37:10-11)
Webster's defines mild as: gentle in nature or behavior; viz: temperate; in other
words: agreeable, approachable, reasonable, calm, mellow, and self-controlled.
● Gen 25:27c . . who stayed in camp.
Does that mean Jacob never ventured outdoors? No. After all, his family was
pastoral; they lived in tents and spent their whole lives working outdoors. Staying
in camp only means Jacob would rather come on home when the day was over.
Esau was probably off away from home on one safari after another, whereas Jacob
was always nearby.
● Gen 25:28a . . Isaac favored Esau because he had a taste for game;
Up to this point, Esau seems an okay kind of guy. No really serious faults are
readily apparent. Jewish folklore lays some pretty heavy sins upon Esau but none of
them are listed here in chapter 25.
And he seems affable enough. On the pages of Scripture, Esau isn't said to be a
friendless loner, or an angry sociopath; nor into bad habits like drinking, gambling,
murder, robbery, lies, laziness, fighting, disrespect for his parents, blasphemy,
selfishness, foul language, or anything else like that.
Thus far, neither Isaac nor Rebecca have voiced any gripes against either one of
their boys. Isaac does favor Esau more, but only because of the venison that he
prepared for his dad on occasion-- which of course would appeal to Isaac because it
was wild game rather than the meat of domestic animals. Guys sometimes feel
more manly when they eat meat taken in hunting rather than from a local super
market. Isaac is one of those men for whom this proverb rings true: The way to a
man's heart is through this stomach.
● Gen 25:28b . . but Rebecca favored Jacob.
Well, that's understandable. Jacob was always at hand whereas his brother wasn't.
Plus Jacob's personality was no doubt easier on one's nerves, whereas guys like
Esau tend to be center-of-attention addicts; and eclipse everyone else in the room
to the point where you get the feeling they believe themselves the only ones in the
whole wide world that count, and the only excuse for your existence is to be their
audience.
● Gen 25:29 . . Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the open,
famished.
The word for "stew" basically means something boiled, e.g. soup. According to Gen
25:34, one of the ingredients in Jacob's soup was lentils: a type of flat, round seed
related to the pea and is eaten as a vegetable.
● Gen 25:30 . . And Esau said to Jacob: Give me some of that red stuff to gulp
down, for I am famished; which is why he was named Edom.
The Hebrew word for "Edom" basically means rosy.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 25:31 . . Jacob said: First sell me your birthright.
The birthright consists of two distinct components. One is material, and the other is
spiritual. If Israel's covenanted law can be used as a guideline in this instance, then
the holder of the birthright (which is transferable) is entitled to twice the amount of
material inheritance given to his siblings. (Deut 21:15-17)
But Jacob isn't asking for Esau's material birthright; it's the spiritual one that he's
after. Jacob wanted very much to be the family's next patriarch; and no doubt
Rebecca wanted him too.
The position of patriarch carries heavy responsibilities. If Esau was to rule over the
family, then he would be responsible to provide for them both materially and
spiritually. Abraham was a very successful patriarch in both respects, but most
especially in the spiritual.
It was the patriarch's duty to build, and officiate at, the family's altar; just as
Abraham had done all those years (cf. Job 1:5). It was also the patriarch's duty to
dispense the knowledge God and make sure it was carried forward in the family so
as to prevent its loss to future generations (cf. Gen 18:19). I think what Jacob was
really after was the inspiration that came with being the spiritual patriarch. (cf. Gen
20:7)
As far as Esau was concerned, the material element of his birthright was all that
mattered. He was totally secular and cared nothing at all for the spiritual part. On
the other hand, Jacob dearly longed for the spiritual part-- the material part being
only incidental. No doubt the two brothers had discussed these very things over the
years so that Jacob already knew exactly how Esau felt about it. So that, half in
jest, and probably half in disgust, he proposed that Esau barter the spiritual
element of his birthright.
● Gen 25:32-33 . . And Esau said: I am at the point of death, so of what use is my
birthright to me? But Jacob said: Swear to me first. So he swore to him, and sold
his birthright to Jacob.
It just amazes me how much faith the people of long ago put in oaths. Nowadays
nobody trusts an oath. You've got to sign your name on the dotted line, preferably
with a witness and/or a notary, because it would be totally foolish to take anybody's
word on anything; even if they swore to it.
Even if Isaac now gave the birthright to Esau, which he fully intended to do, at least
Jacob had the assurance that his brother wouldn't retain the spiritual aspect. Isaac
would never interfere with a contract between the two brothers sealed by an oath.
He would have to honor it. The spiritual birthright would now go to Jacob, which,
according to Gen 25:23, is exactly what the supreme paterfamilias of Abraham's
clan decreed in the first place.
● Gen 25:34 . . Jacob then gave Esau bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, and
he rose and went away. Thus did Esau spurn the birthright.
Had Esau politely waived the birthright, that probably would've been okay with God,
and no hard feelings about it: after all; not everyone is cut out to be a spiritual
guru. But to merchandise something sacred to God was an insult that must have
cut Him deeply.
Ironically, the birthright wasn't Esau's to sell in the first place since God assigned it
to Jacob to begin with. I can't help but wonder what happened to the information
that God passed on to Rebecca back when. Did she keep it under her hat all those
years? If so; why?
Jacob and Rebecca no doubt both appreciated their association with Isaac, and
were grateful Jehovah was their deity. But did Esau appreciate those things? No, he
didn't; nor did he see any advantage to it. He was truly a secular man: an earthly
dude through and through. He wasn't a heavenly man in any sense of the word; no,
far from it.
_
● Gen 25:31 . . Jacob said: First sell me your birthright.
The birthright consists of two distinct components. One is material, and the other is
spiritual. If Israel's covenanted law can be used as a guideline in this instance, then
the holder of the birthright (which is transferable) is entitled to twice the amount of
material inheritance given to his siblings. (Deut 21:15-17)
But Jacob isn't asking for Esau's material birthright; it's the spiritual one that he's
after. Jacob wanted very much to be the family's next patriarch; and no doubt
Rebecca wanted him too.
The position of patriarch carries heavy responsibilities. If Esau was to rule over the
family, then he would be responsible to provide for them both materially and
spiritually. Abraham was a very successful patriarch in both respects, but most
especially in the spiritual.
It was the patriarch's duty to build, and officiate at, the family's altar; just as
Abraham had done all those years (cf. Job 1:5). It was also the patriarch's duty to
dispense the knowledge God and make sure it was carried forward in the family so
as to prevent its loss to future generations (cf. Gen 18:19). I think what Jacob was
really after was the inspiration that came with being the spiritual patriarch. (cf. Gen
20:7)
As far as Esau was concerned, the material element of his birthright was all that
mattered. He was totally secular and cared nothing at all for the spiritual part. On
the other hand, Jacob dearly longed for the spiritual part-- the material part being
only incidental. No doubt the two brothers had discussed these very things over the
years so that Jacob already knew exactly how Esau felt about it. So that, half in
jest, and probably half in disgust, he proposed that Esau barter the spiritual
element of his birthright.
● Gen 25:32-33 . . And Esau said: I am at the point of death, so of what use is my
birthright to me? But Jacob said: Swear to me first. So he swore to him, and sold
his birthright to Jacob.
It just amazes me how much faith the people of long ago put in oaths. Nowadays
nobody trusts an oath. You've got to sign your name on the dotted line, preferably
with a witness and/or a notary, because it would be totally foolish to take anybody's
word on anything; even if they swore to it.
Even if Isaac now gave the birthright to Esau, which he fully intended to do, at least
Jacob had the assurance that his brother wouldn't retain the spiritual aspect. Isaac
would never interfere with a contract between the two brothers sealed by an oath.
He would have to honor it. The spiritual birthright would now go to Jacob, which,
according to Gen 25:23, is exactly what the supreme paterfamilias of Abraham's
clan decreed in the first place.
● Gen 25:34 . . Jacob then gave Esau bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, and
he rose and went away. Thus did Esau spurn the birthright.
Had Esau politely waived the birthright, that probably would've been okay with God,
and no hard feelings about it: after all; not everyone is cut out to be a spiritual
guru. But to merchandise something sacred to God was an insult that must have
cut Him deeply.
Ironically, the birthright wasn't Esau's to sell in the first place since God assigned it
to Jacob to begin with. I can't help but wonder what happened to the information
that God passed on to Rebecca back when. Did she keep it under her hat all those
years? If so; why?
Jacob and Rebecca no doubt both appreciated their association with Isaac, and
were grateful Jehovah was their deity. But did Esau appreciate those things? No, he
didn't; nor did he see any advantage to it. He was truly a secular man: an earthly
dude through and through. He wasn't a heavenly man in any sense of the word; no,
far from it.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 26:1a . .There was a famine in the land-- aside from the previous famine
that had occurred in the days of Abraham
That previous famine occurred in chapter 12 before Isaac was born; even before
Ishmael was born. So many good, prosperous years have gone by since the last
famine. This may in fact have been the very first famine that Isaac ever witnessed,
and probably his last too.
The Hebrew word for "famine" basically means hunger (more or less extensive)
People go hungry either because they can't buy the foods they need, or can't grow
it for lack of soil or water. In Isaac's case it was probably a lack of water that made
the difference. He had lots of money. But cattle can't live on legal tender. Down in
the lowlands there would very likely be plenty of water in wells and springs that
could be used for irrigation. So it's off to the lowlands they go; herds and all.
● Gen 26:1b . . and Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
This was very likely another Abimelech-- not the same man in chapter 20 whom
Abraham knew. That Abimelech was very likely dead by now. The name
"Abimelech" is more like a title than a moniker; sort of like Czar, Pharaoh, or
Caesar.
Gerar hasn't been fully identified, but the site might be in one of the branches of
Wady Sheri'a, at a place called Um Jerrar, near the coast southwest of Gaza and 9
miles from it. The site answers fairly well to the statements of Eusebius and
Jerome, that it was 25 (Roman) miles south of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin). It's
actually 30 English miles, but distances weren't very accurately determined in early
times. Gerar was known in the first 5th century CE, when it was the seat of a
bishopric; and its bishop, Marcian, attended the Council of Chalcedon 451 CE.
According to ERETZ Magazine, issue 64, Abimelech's land is an ample valley with
fertile land and numerous springs; a perfect place for a man with cattle to weather
out the drought.
Isaac's decision to investigate the possibility of living amongst Abimelech's people
was quite possibly influenced by Abraham's pact with them back in chapter 20.
Hopefully they would be inclined to honor his dad's relationship with the previous
Abimelech and let Isaac's community live down there at least until it started raining
again up in the highlands.
● Gen 26:2a . .The Lord had appeared to him
This is the very first recorded incident where God appeared especially for Isaac.
When he was offered as a burnt offering back in chapter 22, God appeared to his
dad while Isaac was with him. But God was not said to appear to Isaac. This is the
first time.
● Gen 26:2b . . and said: Do not go down to Egypt;
Isaac may have been considering Egypt as plan B if Gerar didn't work out.
● Gen 26:2c . . stay in the land which I point out to you.
That had to be encouraging. Even if things looked bad in Gerar when Isaac arrived,
he could rest upon the fact that he was going in the right direction.
● Gen 26:3a . . Reside in this land, and I will be with you and bless you;
Suppose it turned out Isaac didn't like the land God selected for him and moved to
another one? Well he could just forget about the promise: "I will be with you and
bless you" That promise was conditional. He had to live where God directed him to
live.
● Gen 26:3b-4 . . I will assign all these lands to you and to your heirs, fulfilling the
oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your heirs as numerous as
the stars of heaven, and assign to your heirs all these lands, so that all the nations
of the earth shall bless themselves by your heirs--
Although some translations render the word "heirs" plural, zera' (zeh'-rah) is one
of those Hebrew words that can just as accurately be translated in the singular as
well the plural: like the words sheep, fish, and deer. In this case, it's probably best
to understand zera' in the singular because it most certainly refers to Jacob rather
than to both he and his brother Esau.
_
● Gen 26:1a . .There was a famine in the land-- aside from the previous famine
that had occurred in the days of Abraham
That previous famine occurred in chapter 12 before Isaac was born; even before
Ishmael was born. So many good, prosperous years have gone by since the last
famine. This may in fact have been the very first famine that Isaac ever witnessed,
and probably his last too.
The Hebrew word for "famine" basically means hunger (more or less extensive)
People go hungry either because they can't buy the foods they need, or can't grow
it for lack of soil or water. In Isaac's case it was probably a lack of water that made
the difference. He had lots of money. But cattle can't live on legal tender. Down in
the lowlands there would very likely be plenty of water in wells and springs that
could be used for irrigation. So it's off to the lowlands they go; herds and all.
● Gen 26:1b . . and Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
This was very likely another Abimelech-- not the same man in chapter 20 whom
Abraham knew. That Abimelech was very likely dead by now. The name
"Abimelech" is more like a title than a moniker; sort of like Czar, Pharaoh, or
Caesar.
Gerar hasn't been fully identified, but the site might be in one of the branches of
Wady Sheri'a, at a place called Um Jerrar, near the coast southwest of Gaza and 9
miles from it. The site answers fairly well to the statements of Eusebius and
Jerome, that it was 25 (Roman) miles south of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin). It's
actually 30 English miles, but distances weren't very accurately determined in early
times. Gerar was known in the first 5th century CE, when it was the seat of a
bishopric; and its bishop, Marcian, attended the Council of Chalcedon 451 CE.
According to ERETZ Magazine, issue 64, Abimelech's land is an ample valley with
fertile land and numerous springs; a perfect place for a man with cattle to weather
out the drought.
Isaac's decision to investigate the possibility of living amongst Abimelech's people
was quite possibly influenced by Abraham's pact with them back in chapter 20.
Hopefully they would be inclined to honor his dad's relationship with the previous
Abimelech and let Isaac's community live down there at least until it started raining
again up in the highlands.
● Gen 26:2a . .The Lord had appeared to him
This is the very first recorded incident where God appeared especially for Isaac.
When he was offered as a burnt offering back in chapter 22, God appeared to his
dad while Isaac was with him. But God was not said to appear to Isaac. This is the
first time.
● Gen 26:2b . . and said: Do not go down to Egypt;
Isaac may have been considering Egypt as plan B if Gerar didn't work out.
● Gen 26:2c . . stay in the land which I point out to you.
That had to be encouraging. Even if things looked bad in Gerar when Isaac arrived,
he could rest upon the fact that he was going in the right direction.
● Gen 26:3a . . Reside in this land, and I will be with you and bless you;
Suppose it turned out Isaac didn't like the land God selected for him and moved to
another one? Well he could just forget about the promise: "I will be with you and
bless you" That promise was conditional. He had to live where God directed him to
live.
● Gen 26:3b-4 . . I will assign all these lands to you and to your heirs, fulfilling the
oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your heirs as numerous as
the stars of heaven, and assign to your heirs all these lands, so that all the nations
of the earth shall bless themselves by your heirs--
Although some translations render the word "heirs" plural, zera' (zeh'-rah) is one
of those Hebrew words that can just as accurately be translated in the singular as
well the plural: like the words sheep, fish, and deer. In this case, it's probably best
to understand zera' in the singular because it most certainly refers to Jacob rather
than to both he and his brother Esau.
_
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Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 26:5 . . inasmuch as Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge: My
commandments, My laws, and My teachings.
Some construe God's statement to indicate that Abraham was included in the
covenant that Moses' people entered into with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. But the statement below excludes him.
"The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our forefathers did
The Lord make this covenant, but with us, we, all of whom are here alive today."
(Deut 5:2-3)
Were Abraham included in the Jews' covenant; God would've placed Himself in a
serious dilemma.
The problem is: Abraham was married to a half sister (Gen 20:12)
The covenant prohibits marrying, and/or sleeping with, one's half sister. (Lev 18:9,
Lev 20:17) In point of fact; under the terms and conditions of the Jews' covenant;
men who sleep with their sisters are cursed the moment they do so because
"cursed be he" is grammatically present tense; no delay and no waiting period; viz:
the curse is immediate.
"Cursed be he who lies with his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's
daughter." (Deut 27:22)
And:
Cursed be he who does not uphold the words of this Torah, to fulfill them. (Deut
27:26)
Well; were God to slam Abraham with a curse for sleeping with his sister, then God
would be obligated to slam Himself with a curse in return.
"The one who curses you I will curse" (Gen 12:3)
Abraham enjoyed quite an advantage. Seeing as how Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy were instituted long after Abraham passed away; then none of
the curses listed at Ex 34:6-7, Lev 26:3-38, Deut 27:15-26, and/or Deut 28:1-69
applied to him.
Abraham complied with God's requirements; His commands, His decrees and His
laws voluntarily rather than by compulsion because he wasn't in a covenant with
God that demanded him to do so like his posterity would be in the days of Moses.
(Deut 5:2-3)
The promises God made to Abraham as per Gen 12:2-3 and Gen 17:8 were not
sustained by Abraham's piety. In other words: once God made those promises,
neither Abraham nor his posterity can ever lose them because they are
unconditional
"The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously
established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance is
based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to
Abraham by means of a promise." (Gal 3:17-18)
The "promise" in question reads like this:
"And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojournings, the entire
land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be to them for a deity."
(Gen 17:8)
That should be really good news to Abraham's posterity because although the law
has a marked effect upon their occupation of the land, it has no effect upon their
entitlement to it.
_
● Gen 26:5 . . inasmuch as Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge: My
commandments, My laws, and My teachings.
Some construe God's statement to indicate that Abraham was included in the
covenant that Moses' people entered into with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. But the statement below excludes him.
"The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our forefathers did
The Lord make this covenant, but with us, we, all of whom are here alive today."
(Deut 5:2-3)
Were Abraham included in the Jews' covenant; God would've placed Himself in a
serious dilemma.
The problem is: Abraham was married to a half sister (Gen 20:12)
The covenant prohibits marrying, and/or sleeping with, one's half sister. (Lev 18:9,
Lev 20:17) In point of fact; under the terms and conditions of the Jews' covenant;
men who sleep with their sisters are cursed the moment they do so because
"cursed be he" is grammatically present tense; no delay and no waiting period; viz:
the curse is immediate.
"Cursed be he who lies with his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's
daughter." (Deut 27:22)
And:
Cursed be he who does not uphold the words of this Torah, to fulfill them. (Deut
27:26)
Well; were God to slam Abraham with a curse for sleeping with his sister, then God
would be obligated to slam Himself with a curse in return.
"The one who curses you I will curse" (Gen 12:3)
Abraham enjoyed quite an advantage. Seeing as how Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy were instituted long after Abraham passed away; then none of
the curses listed at Ex 34:6-7, Lev 26:3-38, Deut 27:15-26, and/or Deut 28:1-69
applied to him.
Abraham complied with God's requirements; His commands, His decrees and His
laws voluntarily rather than by compulsion because he wasn't in a covenant with
God that demanded him to do so like his posterity would be in the days of Moses.
(Deut 5:2-3)
The promises God made to Abraham as per Gen 12:2-3 and Gen 17:8 were not
sustained by Abraham's piety. In other words: once God made those promises,
neither Abraham nor his posterity can ever lose them because they are
unconditional
"The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously
established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance is
based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to
Abraham by means of a promise." (Gal 3:17-18)
The "promise" in question reads like this:
"And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojournings, the entire
land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be to them for a deity."
(Gen 17:8)
That should be really good news to Abraham's posterity because although the law
has a marked effect upon their occupation of the land, it has no effect upon their
entitlement to it.
_
Olde Tymer
Well-known member
~
● Gen 26:6 . . So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him
about his wife, he said "She is my sister" for he was afraid to say "my wife"
thinking: The men of the place might kill me on account of Rebecca, for she is
beautiful.
The Hebrew word translated "sister" has very wide application. In point of fact,
Becky's entire family, mom and dad too, called her sister when she left home. (Gen
24:59-60)
The word can mean a sibling of the same parents, or it can just mean female kin,
either near or far. (I'm guessing that Isaac and Rebecca were far enough apart in
age that she could easily pass for his niece.)
Isaac's response was semantic double-speak. In other words: he didn't tell an
outright bald face lie; what he said was true; from a certain point of view-- he and
Rebecca were related. But nevertheless, his response was a half truth meant to
deceive.
I just have to wonder sometimes about the IQ of some of the patriarchs. God had
just reaffirmed Abraham's covenant with Isaac; guaranteeing He would bless him
on account of his father Abraham's righteousness (not Isaac's righteousness). Yet
now he's worried about being murdered in Gerar? I'd hate to think that Isaac didn't
believe God. I'd much rather reckon he wasn't paying attention.
● Gen 26:8 . . When some time had passed, Abimelech king of the Philistines,
looking out of the window, saw Isaac sporting with his wife Rebecca.
Sporting with one's wife is far and away different than sporting with one's sibling.
The way those two were horsing around was unmistakably the behavior of lovers.
● Gen 26:9-10 . . Abimelech sent for Isaac and said: So she is your wife! Why then
did you say "She is my sister". Isaac said to him: Because I thought I might lose
my life on account of her. Abimelech said: What have you done to us! One of the
people might have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.
I'm not surprised that Abimelech was frightened. It hadn't been all that long ago
when his predecessor had a run-in with Isaac's deity, That incident involving
Abraham undoubtedly went down in the castle records.
And to top it off, out there grazing on Gerar pastures was a special breed of sheep
that bore a witness for Abraham too (Gen 21:27-32) and their story was very likely
woven into Gerar folklore. Oh yes. They knew about Jehovah alright; and they all
knew what could happen to them if any of the local men messed around with
Rebecca, the wife of Abraham's son.
● Gen 26:11 . . Abimelech then charged all the people, saying: Anyone who
molests this man or his wife shall be put to death.
The Hebrew translated "molest" means to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any
purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach
(figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.)
So Abimelech decreed that his people not even so much as lay a finger upon Isaac
and Rebecca, not even so much as a pinky, in any way at all. Isaac, of course, is
getting by on his dad's influence. But what the hey, it doesn't hurt to be connected.
● Gen 26:12-14a . . Isaac sowed in that land and reaped a hundredfold the same
year. The Lord blessed him, and the man grew richer and richer until he was very
wealthy: he acquired flocks and herds, and a large household,
I thus far haven't had much luck finding a useful definition of hundredfold. It seems
to me; from what information I've managed to discover, that it's simply a bushel
count per acre.
Farming may seem like a switch from animal husbandry, but the combination was
common among pastoral peoples those days for two good reasons. For one; Isaac's
herds needed pasture. And two; man can't live on meat alone.
Isaac needed large quantities to feed his immense community. He inherited at least
a thousand people from his dad. By now, those have multiplied well beyond that. I
think if you'd have encountered Isaac's outfit in those days it would have resembled
an Iowa town rather than a simple camp of Bedouins.
_
● Gen 26:6 . . So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him
about his wife, he said "She is my sister" for he was afraid to say "my wife"
thinking: The men of the place might kill me on account of Rebecca, for she is
beautiful.
The Hebrew word translated "sister" has very wide application. In point of fact,
Becky's entire family, mom and dad too, called her sister when she left home. (Gen
24:59-60)
The word can mean a sibling of the same parents, or it can just mean female kin,
either near or far. (I'm guessing that Isaac and Rebecca were far enough apart in
age that she could easily pass for his niece.)
Isaac's response was semantic double-speak. In other words: he didn't tell an
outright bald face lie; what he said was true; from a certain point of view-- he and
Rebecca were related. But nevertheless, his response was a half truth meant to
deceive.
I just have to wonder sometimes about the IQ of some of the patriarchs. God had
just reaffirmed Abraham's covenant with Isaac; guaranteeing He would bless him
on account of his father Abraham's righteousness (not Isaac's righteousness). Yet
now he's worried about being murdered in Gerar? I'd hate to think that Isaac didn't
believe God. I'd much rather reckon he wasn't paying attention.
● Gen 26:8 . . When some time had passed, Abimelech king of the Philistines,
looking out of the window, saw Isaac sporting with his wife Rebecca.
Sporting with one's wife is far and away different than sporting with one's sibling.
The way those two were horsing around was unmistakably the behavior of lovers.
● Gen 26:9-10 . . Abimelech sent for Isaac and said: So she is your wife! Why then
did you say "She is my sister". Isaac said to him: Because I thought I might lose
my life on account of her. Abimelech said: What have you done to us! One of the
people might have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.
I'm not surprised that Abimelech was frightened. It hadn't been all that long ago
when his predecessor had a run-in with Isaac's deity, That incident involving
Abraham undoubtedly went down in the castle records.
And to top it off, out there grazing on Gerar pastures was a special breed of sheep
that bore a witness for Abraham too (Gen 21:27-32) and their story was very likely
woven into Gerar folklore. Oh yes. They knew about Jehovah alright; and they all
knew what could happen to them if any of the local men messed around with
Rebecca, the wife of Abraham's son.
● Gen 26:11 . . Abimelech then charged all the people, saying: Anyone who
molests this man or his wife shall be put to death.
The Hebrew translated "molest" means to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any
purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach
(figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.)
So Abimelech decreed that his people not even so much as lay a finger upon Isaac
and Rebecca, not even so much as a pinky, in any way at all. Isaac, of course, is
getting by on his dad's influence. But what the hey, it doesn't hurt to be connected.
● Gen 26:12-14a . . Isaac sowed in that land and reaped a hundredfold the same
year. The Lord blessed him, and the man grew richer and richer until he was very
wealthy: he acquired flocks and herds, and a large household,
I thus far haven't had much luck finding a useful definition of hundredfold. It seems
to me; from what information I've managed to discover, that it's simply a bushel
count per acre.
Farming may seem like a switch from animal husbandry, but the combination was
common among pastoral peoples those days for two good reasons. For one; Isaac's
herds needed pasture. And two; man can't live on meat alone.
Isaac needed large quantities to feed his immense community. He inherited at least
a thousand people from his dad. By now, those have multiplied well beyond that. I
think if you'd have encountered Isaac's outfit in those days it would have resembled
an Iowa town rather than a simple camp of Bedouins.
_
