GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:1 ABRAHAM TOOK ANOTHER WIFE. Like Hagar, KETURAH has the status of a “concubine” (see 1 Chronicles 1:32; also note on Genesis 25:5). This relationship possibly existed before Sarah’s death. In the ancient Near East, wealthy men sometimes had “second” wives. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:5 These verses highlight Isaac’s position as Abraham’s main heir. “Concubines” probably refers to Hagar and Keturah, both of whom bore Abraham children. Neither woman shared the status of Sarah, Abraham’s first wife (see also 1 Chronicles 1:28). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = documen... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:9 THE CAVE OF MACHPELAH... THAT ABRAHAM PURCHASED. See ch. Genesis 23:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:12 This short section names Ishmael’s 12 sons, who became heads of tribes in Arabia, fulfilling God’s promise in Genesis 17:20. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:19 Isaac’s Descendants. The familiar phrase “these are the generations of” introduces the next main section of Genesis 1:1 (see note on 2:4). While these chapters focus on the family of Isaac, special attention is given to Jacob because the unique family line of Genesis 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:20 The repeated use of the term ARAMEAN and the designation of their dwelling place as PADDAN-ARAM (“plain of Aram”) indicate that Abraham’s family was considered to be Aramean. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img;... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:21 Like Sarah, REBEKAH is also BARREN. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:22 The observation that the CHILDREN STRUGGLED TOGETHER WITHIN HER introduces one of the main themes of chs. Genesis 25:1. The relationship between the twin boys will often be hostile. The divine revelation that THE OLDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER indicates that Jacob will h... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:26 HOLDING ESAU’S HEEL, SO HIS NAME WAS CALLED JACOB. The name “Jacob” resembles the Hebrew term for “heel” and has the connotation of “deceiver.” To grasp someone by the heel was apparently a figure of speech meaning “to deceive.” The idea of deception will be a repeated... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:27 These verses tell of ESAU selling his birthright to JACOB. While Jacob may be criticized for exploiting his brother in a moment of weakness, Esau is indifferent toward his firstborn status. That is why Hebrews 12:16 describes Esau as “unholy.” He did not appreciate that... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 25:30 In Hebrew, the name EDOM is similar to the word RED. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]