Genesis 11:1--19:38
<0259> [A.M. 1757. B.C. 2247. was.]
language <08193> [language. Heb. lip. speech. Heb. words.]
people moved eastward <06924> [from the east. or, eastward.]
Shinar <08152> [Shinar.]
said ... one another <0376 07453 0559> [they said one to another. Heb. a man said to his neighbour.]
Go to.
[not as.]
bake <08313> [burn throughly. Heb. burn to a burning. brick.]
tar <02564> [slime.]
top <07218> [whose.]
make <06213> [and let.]
scattered <06327> [lest.]
people <05971> [Behold.]
people <05971> [the people.]
sharing <02161> [imagined.]
Come <03051> [Go to.]
The Hebrew word signifies, "Come," or, "make preparation," as for a journey or the execution of a purpose.
go down <03381> [let.]
confuse <01101> [confound.]
understand <08085> [may.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
face <06440> [upon.]
Babel <0894> [Babel. that is, Confusion.]
The tower of Babel, Herodotus informs us, was a furlong or 660 feet, in length and breadth; and, according to Strabo, it rose to the same altitude. It was of a pyramidical form, consisting of eight square towers, gradually decreasing in breadth, with a winding ascent on the outside, so very broad as to allow horses and carriages to pass each other, and even to turn. This magnificent structure is so completely destroyed that its very site is doubtful; and when supposed to be discovered, in all cases exhibiting a heap of rubbish.
face <06440> [the face.]
[A.M. 1658. B.C. 2346.]
Shem <08035> [A.M. 2158. B.C. 1846. Shem.]
father .......... other sons <01121 03205> [begat sons.]
father <03205> [A.M. 1693. B.C. 2311. begat.]
[A.M. 2096. B.C. 1908.]
[A.M. 1723. B.C. 2281.]
[A.M. 2126. B.C. 1878.]
Eber <05677> [A.M. 1757. B.C. 2247. Eber.]
Peleg <06389> [Peleg.]
[Phalec.]
[A.M. 2187. B.C. 1817.]
Reu <07466> [A.M. 1787. B.C. 2217. Reu.]
[Ragau.]
[A.M. 1996. B.C. 2008.]
Serug <08286> [A.M. 1819. B.C. 2185. Serug.]
[Saruch.]
[A.M. 2026. B.C. 1978.]
Nahor <05152> [A.M. 1849. B.C. 2155. Nahor.]
[Nachor.]
[A.M. 2049. B.C. 1955.]
Terah <08646> [A.M. 1878. B.C. 2126. Terah.]
[Thara.]
[A.M. 1997. B.C. 2007.]
Abram <087> [A.M. 1948. B.C. 2056. Abram.]
Lot <03876> [A.M. 2008. B.C. 1996. Lot.]
Ur <0218> [Ur.]
Sarai <08297> [Sarai.]
Milcah ............ Milcah <04435> [Milcah.]
Iscah <03252> [Iscah.]
Iscah is called the daughter-in-law of Terah, (ver. 31,) as being Abram's wife; yet Abram afterwards said, "she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother." (ch. 20:12.) Probably Haran was the eldest son of Terah, and Abram his youngest by another wife; and thus Sarai was the daughter, or grand-daughter of Terah, Abram's father, but not of his mother.
barren <06135> [barren.]
took <03947> [A.M. 2078. B.C. 1926. took.]
set out <03318> [they went.]
Ur <0218> [Ur.]
Ur was probably the place called Ouri, in Mesopotamia, two days' journey from Nisibis, in the way to the river Tigris.
<0776> [the land.]
Haran ............................. Haran <02039 02771> [B.C. cir. 1923. A.M. cir. 2081. Haran.]
[Charran.]
[A.M. 2083. B.C. 1921.]
said <0559> [had.]
<03212> [Get.]
blessing <01293> [thou shalt.]
bless .... bless ..................... bless <01288> [And I.]
families <04940> [in thee.]
Lot <03876> [and Lot.]
when ... departed ... Haran <03212 03318 02771> [departed out.]
<05315> [the souls.]
Haran <02771> [in.]
land ....... land <0776> [and into.]
Canaan ....... Canaan <03667> [Canaan.]
So called from Canaan the son of Ham, lies between the Mediterranean sea on the west, the wilderness of Paran, Idumea, and Egypt on the south, the mountains of Arabia on the east, and the mountains of Lebanon and Phoenicia on the north. Its length, from Dan to Beersheba, is about 200 miles, and its breadth, from the Mediterranean sea to its eastern borders, about 90.
traveled through <05674> [passed.]
Shechem <07927> [Sichem.]
[Shechem.]
[Sychar.]
[Sychem. plain.]
The word rendered "plain" should be rendered "oak," or according to Celsius, the "turpentine-tree."
Moreh <04176> [Moreh.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanite.]
appeared ......................... appeared <07200> [appeared.]
descendants <02233> [Unto thy.]
built <01129> [builded.]
Bethel ....... Bethel <01008> [of Beth-el.]
Ai <05857> [Hai.]
[Ai.]
[Aija.]
[Aiath. called.]
journeyed ... stages <01980 05265> [going on still. Heb. in going and journeying.]
famine .................. famine <07458> [A.M. 2084. B.C. 1920. was a.]
down <03381> [went.]
beautiful <03303> [a fair.]
kill <02026> [will kill.]
tell <0559> [Say.]
sister <0269> [thou.]
life <05315> [and.]
saw <07200> [beheld.]
officials <08269> [princes.]
Pharaoh was a common name of the Egyptian kings, and signified a "ruler," or "king," or "father of his country." # 40:2 41:1 Ex 2:5,15 1Ki 3:1 2Ki 18:21 Jer 25:19 46:17 Eze 32:2
Abram's .... taken <03947> [taken.]
treat ... well ........ sheep .... male donkeys <03190 06629 02543> [And he.]
sheep <06629> [he had.]
Negev <05045> [A.M. 2086. B.C. 1918. the south.]
The south of Canaan; as in leaving Egypt, it is said he "came from the south," (ver. 3,) and the southern part of the promised land lay north-east of Egypt.
Negev <05045> [from.]
[Beth-el and Hai. i.e., The place which was afterwards called Bethel by Jacob, and so called when Moses wrote; for its first name was Luz.]
(ch. 28:19.)
place <04725> [Unto.]
worshiped <07121> [called.]
tents <0168> [tents.]
quarrels <07379> [a strife.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanite.]
[dwelled. i.e., They were there when Abram and Lot came to pitch their tents in the land.]
be <01961> [Let.]
relatives <0251> [brethren. Heb. men, brethren.]
land <0776> [Is not.]
left <08040> [if thou wilt.]
saw <07200> [and beheld.]
region <03603> [the plain.]
garden <01588> [the garden.]
Zoar <06820> [Zoar.]
Instead of "Zoar," which was situated at the extremity of the plain of Jordan, the Syriac reads "Zoan," which was situated in the south of Egypt, and in a well-watered country.
chose <0977> [A.M. 2087. B.C. 1917. chose.]
separated <06504> [they.]
settled ........ Lot settled <03427 03876> [Lot dwelled.]
pitched <0167> [pitched.]
<0582> [But the.]
Lord <03068> [before.]
departed <06504> [was.]
<05375> [Lift.]
north <06828> [northward.]
oaks <0436> [plain. Heb. plains. Mamre.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
altar <04196> [altar.]
[A.M. 2091. B.C. 1913.]
Shinar <08152> [Shinar.]
Ellasar <0495> [Ellasar.]
Elam <05867> [Elam.]
Sodom <05467> [Sodom.]
Admah <0126> [Admah.]
Zeboiim <06636> [Zeboiim.]
Zoar <06820> [Zoar.]
Salt Sea <03220 04417> [salt sea.]
served <05647> [they served.]
rebelled <04775> [they rebelled.]
Rephaites <07497> [Rephaims.]
Ashteroth Karnaim <06255> [Ashteroth.]
The same as Ashteroth, a city of Bashan, where Og afterwards reigned.
Zuzites <02104> [Zuzims.]
Emites <0368> [Emims.]
Shaveh Kiriathaim <07741> [Shaveh Kiriathaim. or, the plains of Kiriathaim;]
Kiriathaim was beyond Jordan, 10 miles west-ward from Medeba, and afterwards belonged to Sihon, king of Heshbon.
Horites <02752> [Horites.]
Paran <0364> [El-paran. or, the plain of Paran.]
Kadesh <06946> [Kadesh.]
En-mishpat or Kadesh, was about 8 leagues south of Hebron.
Amalekites <06003> [Amalekites.]
Hazazon Tamar <02688> [Hazezon-tamar.]
Called by the Chaldee, "En-gaddi," a town on the western shore of the Dead Sea.
that is <01931> [same.]
Valley <06010> [in.]
pits <0875> [slime pits.]
Places where asphaltus or bitumen sprung out of the ground: this substance which is properly denoted by the word "slime," abounds in these parts.
fell <05307> [fell.]
hills <02022> [the mountain.]
Lot <03876> [Lot.]
living <03427> [who.]
fugitive <06412> [one.]
Hebrew ........ oaks ..... Amorite <05680 0436 0567> [the.]
living <07931> [dwelt.]
Mamre <04471> [Mamre.]
Amorite <0567> [Amorite.]
allied <01167> [and these.]
nephew <0251> [his brother.]
mobilized <07324> [armed. or, led forth.]
trained <02593> [trained. or, instructed. born.]
Dan <01835> [Dan.]
divided <02505> [And he.]
defeated <05221> [smote.]
Damascus <01834> [Damascus.]
meet <07125> [to.]
After <0310> [after.]
kings ....... king ................. King's <04428> [king's.]
king <04428> [king.]
bread <03899> [bread.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
Most <05945> [the most.]
blessed .... Blessed <01288> [he blessed.]
blessed .... Blessed ... Abram <01288 087> [Blessed be.]
Most <05945> [high.]
Creator <07069> [possessor.]
Worthy of praise <01288> [blessed.]
delivered <04042> [which.]
tenth <04643> [tithes.]
me ... people <05315> [persons. Heb. souls.]
raise <07311> [lift.]
Lord <03068> [unto.]
Most <05945> [the most.]
Creator <07069> [possessor.]
<0518> [That I.]
say <0559> [lest.]
nothing except <01107> [Save.]
Aner <06063> [Aner.]
them <01992> [let.]
vision <04236> [A.M. 2093. B.C. 1911. in.]
Fear <03372> [Fear.]
shield <04043> [thy shield.]
great <03966> [and thy.]
give <05414> [what.]
childless <06185> [childless.]
<01121> [the.]
given <05414> [Behold.]
one born <01121> [born.]
comes <03318> [shall come.]
count ......... count <05608> [tell.]
So <03541> [So.]
believed <0539> [he believed.]
considered <02803> [he counted.]
out <03318> [brought.]
give <05414> [to give.]
cut ... in two ............. cut .... in half <01334 08432> [divided them.]
birds <06833> [the birds.]
birds of prey <05861> [fowls.]
Abram <087> [Abram.]
asleep <08639> [deep.]
terror <0367> [horror.]
descendants <02233> [thy.]
four <0702> [four.]
nation <01471> [that.]
<01419> [with.]
go <0935> [And thou.]
peace <07965> [in peace.]
buried <06912> [buried.]
good <02896> [good.]
fourth <07243> [in the.]
Amorites <0567> [Amorites.]
here ............. limit <02008> [not.]
smoking <06227> [smoking.]
flaming torch <03940 0784> [a burning lamp. Heb. a lamp of fire.]
passed <05674> [passed.]
made <03772> [made.]
descendants <02233> [Unto thy.]
river ....... river .... River <05104> [from.]
Euphrates <06578> [Euphrates.]
Kenites <07017> [Kenites.]
Rephaites <07497> [Rephaims.]
Amorites <0567> [Amorites.]
Girgashites <01622> [Girgashites.]
given birth <03205> [A.M. 2092. B.C. 1912. bare.]
Egyptian <04713> [Egyptian.]
named <08034> [name.]
[Agar.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
family <01129> [obtain children. Heb be builded.]
<08085> [hearkened.]
lived <03427> [A.M. 2093. B.C. 1911. had.]
be <05414> [gave.]
wife ............. wife <0802> [his.]
Sarai <01404> [her mistress.]
wrong <02555> [My wrong.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Abram <087> [Abram.]
authority <03027> [in.]
whatever <02896> [as it pleaseth thee. Heb. that which is good in thine eyes. dealt hardly with her. Heb. afflicted her.]
ran away from <01272> [fled.]
found <04672> [found.]
spring ........ spring <05869> [the fountain.]
Shur <07793> [Shur.]
The desert of Shur being between the south of Canaan, where Hebron was situated, and Egypt, it is likely that Hagar was returning to her own country.
servant ... Sarai .................... Sarai <08297 08198> [Sarai's maid.]
where <0335> [whence.]
running away from <01272> [I flee.]
submit <06031> [submit.]
angel <04397> [the angel.]
greatly multiply ....... added so <07235> [I will.]
Ishmael <03458> [Ishmael. i.e., God shall hear. because.]
heard <08085> [hath.]
wild donkey <06501> [be a.]
wild donkey <06501> [wild.]
The word rendered "wild" also denotes the "wild ass;" the description of which animal in Job 39:5-8, affords the very best representation of the wandering, lawless, freebooting life of the Bedouin and other Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael.
hostile <03027> [his hand.]
live <07931> [he shall.]
So <07121> [called.]
God <0410> [Thou.]
sees ............ sees <0310 07210> [him that.]
[Beer-lahri-roi.]
That is, The well of him that liveth and seeth me.
Kadesh <06946> [Kadesh.]
Hagar <01904> [A.M. 2094. B.C. 1910. Hagar.]
Ishmael <03458> [Ishmael.]
99 <08673> [A.M. 2107. B.C. 1897. was.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sovereign <07706> [Almighty.]
Walk <01980> [walk.]
blameless <08549> [perfect. or, upright, or sincere.]
Then I will confirm ......... I will give <05414> [And I.]
descendants <07235> [multiply.]
father <01> [a father.]
multitude ... nations <01471 01995> [many nations. Heb. multitude of nations.]
name ...... name <08034> [but thy name.]
Abraham <085> [Abraham. i.e., father of a great multitude.]
nations <01471> [nations.]
kings <04428> [kings.]
I ... confirm <06965> [And I.]
God <0430> [God.]
descendants ................. descendants <02233> [and to.]
give ............................. God <05414 0430> [And I.]
residing <04033> [wherein thou art a stranger. Heb. of thy sojournings.]
permanent <05769> [everlasting.]
God <0430> [their.]
male <02145> [Every.]
flesh <01320> [the flesh.]
reminder <0226> [a token.]
eight days ................. foreigner <03117 01121 08083> [he that is eight days old. Heb. a son of eight days.]
born <03211> [is born.]
born <03211> [born.]
bought <04736> [bought.]
cut off <03772> [cut.]
failed <06565> [broken.]
Sarai <08297> [As.]
Sarah <08283> [Sarah. i.e., princess.]
bless ............. bless <01288> [And I.]
give <05414> [give.]
nations <01471> [be a mother of nations. Heb. become nations.]
Kings <04428> [kings.]
bowed <05307> [fell.]
laughed <06711> [laughed.]
might <03863> [O that.]
before <06440> [before.]
Sarah <08283> [Sarah.]
Isaac <03327> [Isaac.]
{Yitzchak,} which we change into Isaac, signifies laughter; in allusion to Abraham's laughing, ver. 17. By this Abraham did not express his unbelief or weakness of faith, but his joy at the prospect of the fulfilment of so glorious a promise; and to this our Lord evidently alludes, Joh 8:56.
bless <01288> [I have blessed.]
twelve <06240> [twelve.]
I will make him <05414> [and I.]
covenant <01285> [my.]
set time <04150> [at.]
circumcised <04135> [circumcised.]
Not only the Jews, but the Arabs, who are the descendants of Ishmael, retain the rite of circumcision to this day; and the latter perform it, as the other Mahometanus also do, at the age of thirteen.
circumcised <04135> [circumcised.]
appeared <07200> [appeared.]
Mamre <04471> [Mamre.]
sitting <03427> [and he sat.]
In these verses we have a delightful picture of genuine and primitive hospitality: a venerable father sits at the tent door, not only to enjoy the current of refreshing air, but that if he saw any weary and exhausted travellers, he might invite them to rest and refresh themselves during the heat of the day, and the same custom still continues in the east. It was not the custom, nor was there any necessity, for strangers to knock at the door, or to speak first, but to stand till they were invited.
looked <05375> [And he.]
three <07969> [three.]
ran <07323> [he ran.]
bowed <07812> [bowed.]
favor <02580> [favour.]
wash ... feet <07272 07364> [wash your feet.]
In those ancient times, shoes such as ours, were not in use; and the foot was protected only with sandals or soles, fastened round the foot with straps. It was, therefore, not only necessary from motives of cleanliness, but also a very great refreshment, in so hot a country, to get the feet washed at the end of a day's journey; and this is the first thing that Abraham proposes.
tree <06086> [tree.]
Rest in the shade was the second requisite for the refreshment of a weary traveller.
get <03947> [And I.]
food <03899> [bread.]
This was the third requisite, and is introduced in its proper order; as eating immediately after exertion or fatigue is very unwholesome.
refresh <05582> [comfort. Heb. stay.]
passed ......... may <05674> [are ye come. Heb. ye have passed.]
hurried ......... Quick <04116> [Make ready quickly. Heb. hasten. three.]
took <03947> [he took.]
standing <05975> [stood.]
ate <0398> [and they.]
Where <0346> [Where.]
tent <0168> [in.]
said <0559> [he said.]
when ... season <06256> [according.]
Sarah ....... Sarah <08283> [lo, Sarah.]
old <02205> [old.]
menopause <0734> [the.]
laughed <06711> [laughed.]
husband <0113> [my.]
Why <04100> [Wherefore.]
impossible <06381> [Is.]
return <07725> [I will.]
Then ... lied <03584> [denied.]
not ........... No <03808> [Nay.]
way <07971> [to bring.]
great <01419> [become.]
chosen <03045> [For I.]
command <06680> [command.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [that the.]
outcry <02201> [the cry.]
sin <02403> [sin.]
go down <03381> [I will go down.]
This is spoken figuratively; and as the Jewish writers speak, according to the language of men. So eyes, ears, hands, and other members of the body are attributed to God, for effecting those things which men cannot accomplish without these members.
see <07200> [see.]
know <03045> [I will know.]
<0582> [the men.]
standing <05975> [stood.]
The two, whom we suppose to have been created angels, departed at this time; and accordingly two entered Sodom at evening: while the one, called Jehovah throughout the chapter, continued with Abraham, who "stood yet before the Lord." --Scott.
approached <05066> [drew.]
sweep <05595> [Wilt.]
there <03426> [there.]
spare <05375> [spare.]
Far be it ....................... Far be it <02486> [be far.]
godly ....... godly <06662> [that the.]
judge <08199> [Shall.]
judge <08199> [Judge.]
undertaken <02974> [I have.]
dust <06083> [dust.]
destroy .............. destroy <07843> [wilt.]
find <04672> [If I.]
Lord <0136> [Oh.]
destroy <07843> [I will not.]
Lord <03068> [And the.]
Abraham ... Abraham <085> [and Abraham.]
And there came two angels. Or, rather, "the two angels came," referring to those mentioned in the preceding chapter, and there called "men." It seems, (from ch. 18, ver. 22,) that these two angels were sent to Sodom, while the third, who was the Lord or Jehovah, remained with Abraham.
got up <06965> [rose.]
bowed down <07812> [bowed.]
turn <05493> [turn.]
wash <07364> [wash.]
Stay ....................... spend <03885> [Nay.]
Instead of lo, nay, some MSS. have lo, to him. "And they said unto him, for we lodge in the street;" where, nevertheless, the negation is understood. Knowing the disposition of the inhabitants, and appearing in the character of mere travellers, they preferred the open street to any house; but not yet willing to make themselves known, as Lot pressed them vehemently, and as they knew him to be a righteous man, they consented to take shelter under his hospitable roof.
urged <06484> [pressed.]
feast <04960> [a feast.]
bread ... without yeast <04682> [unleavened.]
lie down <07901> [But.]
<05971> [all.]
Lot <03876> [Lot.]
Two words are here used for door: the first {pethach,} which is the door-way, at which Lot went out; the latter, {deleth,} the leaf of the door, which he shut after him when out.
two <08147> [I have.]
out <03318> [let.]
come <0935> [therefore.]
close enough <05066> [Stand.]
man <0259> [This.]
kept pressing <06484> [pressed.]
blindness <05575> [with blindness.]
The word {sanverim,} rendered "blindness," and which occurs only here, and in 2 Ki 6:18, is supposed to denote dazzlings, deceptions, or confusions of sight from excessive light; being derived by Schultens, who is followed by Parkhurst, from the Arabic {sana,} to pour forth, diffuse, and nor, light. Dr. Geddes, to the same purpose, thinks it is compounded of the Arabic {sana,} which signifies a flash, and or, light. The Targums, in both places where it occurs, render it by eruptions, or flashes of light, or as Mercer, in Robertson, explains the Chaldee word, irradiations.
trying <03811> [that they.]
here .............. city <06311 05892> [Hast.]
sons-in-law <02860> [son.]
outcry <06818> [cry.]
Lord ..... sent <03068 07971> [Lord hath.]
marry <03947> [which.]
get <06965> [Up.]
But ....... ridiculing <06711> [as one.]
hurried <0213> [hastened.]
here <04672> [are here. Heb. are found. iniquity. or, punishment.]
When ... hesitated <04102> [lingered.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
led <03318> [brought.]
said <0559> [he said.]
Run ............... Escape <04422> [Escape.]
look <05027> [look.]
great <01431> [and thou.]
disaster <07451> [lest some.]
town <05892> [this.]
survive <05315> [and my.]
I ... grant <02009 05375> [See, I.]
<06440> [thee. Heb. thy face. that.]
cannot <03201> [for.]
called <07121> [called.]
Zoar <06820> [Zoar. i.e., little.]
risen <03318> [risen. Heb. gone forth.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sulfur <01614> [brimstone.]
The word rendered "brimstone," (q.d. brennestone, or brinnestone, {id est} burning-stone,) is always rendered by the LXX. "sulphur," and seems to denote a meteorous inflammable matter.
Lot's ... looked <05027> [looked.]
This unhappy woman, says the Rev. T. Scott, "looked back," contrary to God's express command, perhaps with a hope of returning, which latter supposition is favoured by our Lord's words, "Let him not return back: remember Lot's wife." She was, therefore, instantaneously struck dead and petrified, and thus remained to after ages a visible monument of the Divine displeasure.
pillar <05333> [and.]
early <07925> [early.]
place <04725> [to the.]
God ........ God <0430> [that God.]
Lot <03876> [Lot.]
afraid <03372> [for he.]
Zoar .................. Zoar <06820> [Zoar.]
man <0376> [not.]
have sexual relations <0935> [to come.]
<03212> [Come.]
drunk <08248> [drink.]
line <02233> [seed.]
So ..... made .... drunk <08248> [drink.]
Moab ........ Moabites <04124> [A.M. 2108. B.C. 1896. Moab.]
This name is generally interpreted of the father; from {mo,} of, and {av,} a father.
Moab ........ Moabites <04124> [Moabites.]
[Ben-ammi. i.e., Son of my people, from {ben,} a son, and {ammi,} my people.]
son ............ Ammonites <01121> [children.]
