Genesis 21:1
_Visited, either by the angel, chap. xviii. 10, or by enabling her to have what he had promised, at the return of the season._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Visited, either by the angel, chap. xviii. 10, or by enabling her to have what he had promised, at the return of the season._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaac. This word signifies laughter; (Challoner) or "he shall laugh," and be the occasion of joy to many, as St. John the Baptist was, Luke i. 14; and thus Sara seems to explain it, ver. 6._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gave suck; a certain proof that the child was born of her. (Menochius) --- His old age, when both the parents were far advanced in years, ver. 2. The mother being ninety at this time, would render the event most surprising. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Weaned. St. Jerome says when he was five years old, though some said twelve. The age of men being prolonged, their infancy continued longer. One of the Machabees suckled her child three years, 2 Machabees vii. 27. (2 Paralipomenon xxxi. 16.) (Calmet) --- Feast. The life of the child being now consi... [ Continue Reading ]
Playing, or persecuting, as St. Paul explains it, Galatians iv. 29. The play tended to pervert the morals of the young Isaac, whether we understand this term metsachak, as implying idolatry, or obscene actions, or fighting; in all which senses it is used in Scripture. See Exodus xxxii. 6; Genesis xx... [ Continue Reading ]
_For his son. He does not express any concern for Agar. But we cannot doubt but he would feel to part with her also. It was prudent to let both go together: and the mother had perhaps encouraged Ismael, at least by neglecting to punish or watch over him, and so deserved to share in his affliction._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bread and water. This seems a very slender allowance to be given by a man of Abraham's riches. But he might intend her to go only into the neighbourhood, where he would take care to provide for her. She lost herself in the wilderness, and thus fell into imminent danger of perishing. (Haydock) --- T... [ Continue Reading ]
_ Of the boy, who was 17 years old, and wept at the approach of death. --- Fear not. Yare are under the protection of God, who will not abandon you, when all human succour fails; nor will he negelct his promises. (chap. 16.) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wilderness, in Arabia Petrea. --- An archer, living on plunder. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abimelech, king of Gerara, who knew that Abraham was a prophet, and a favourite of God, chap. xx. 7. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hurt me. Hebrew, "lie unto me, " or revolt and disturb the peace of my people._... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will swear. The matter was of sufficient importance. Abraham binds himself, but not his posterity, who by God's order fought against the descendants of this king._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gave them; thus rendering good for evil. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bersabee. That is, the well of oath; (Challoner) or "the well of the seven;" meaning the seven ewe-lambs set apart. (Menochius) --- This precaution of Abraham, in giving seven lambs as a testimony that the well was dug by him, was not without reason. See chap. xxvi. 15. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_A grove: in the midst of which was an altar, dedicated to the Lord God eternal; to testify that he alone was incapable of change. Thither Abraham frequently repaired, to thank God for all his favours. Temples were not probably as yet known in any part of the world. The ancient saints, Abraham, Isaa... [ Continue Reading ]