Genesis 16:1--24:67
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.]
Negev <05045> [A.M. cir. 2107. B.C. cir. 1897. from.]
Kadesh <06946> [Kadesh.]
Gerar <01642> [Gerar.]
Gerar was a city of Arabia Petr‘a, under a king of the Philistines, 25 miles from Eleutheropolis beyond Daroma, in the south of Judah. From ch. 10:19, it appears to have been situated in the angle where the south and west sides of Canaan met, and to have been not far from Gaza. Jerome, in his Hebrew Traditions on Genesis, says, from Gerar to Jerusalem was three days' journey. There was a wood near Gerar, spoken of by Theodoret; and a brook, (ch. 26:26,) on which was a monastery, noticed by Sozomen.
said <0559> [said.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
dead <04191> [a dead.]
someone else's wife <01166 01167> [a man's wife. Heb. married to an husband.]
near <07126> [had.]
slaughter <02026> [wilt.]
conscience <08537> [in the integrity. or, simplicity, or sincerity.]
innocent <05356> [and innocency.]
kept <02820> [withheld.]
sinning <02398> [sinning.]
touch <05060> [to touch.]
prophet <05030> [a prophet.]
The word {navi,} rendered a prophet, not only signifies one who foretell future events, but also an intercessor, instructor. See 1 Sa ch. 10.
The title was also given to men eminent for eloquence and literary abilities: hence Aaron, because he was the spokesman of Moses to the Egyptian king, is called a prophet. .# Ex 4:16 7:1 12:1-3 18:17 7:1 1Ch 16:22 Ps 25:14 105:9-15 .# Heb 1:1
pray <06419> [pray.]
die <04191> [surely.]
[all.]
done ........................... done ......... done <06213> [What hast.]
great <01419> [a great.]
done ........................... done ......... done <06213> [ought.]
Surely <07535> [Surely.]
kill <02026> [slay.]
indeed <0546> [And yet.]
daughter ...... daughter <01323> [she is the.]
Ebn Batrik, in his annals, among other ancient traditions, has preserved the following: "Terah first married Yona, by whom he had Abraham; afterwards he married Tehevita, by whom he had Sarah."
God <0430> [God.]
loyalty <02617> [This.]
told ................... say <0559> [say.]
gave <03947> [took.]
back <07725> [restored.]
land <0776> [my land.]
wherever <02896> [where it pleaseth thee. Heb. as is good in thine eyes.]
brother <0251> [thy.]
thousand <0505> [thousand.]
What these pieces were is not certain; but it is probable they were shekels, as it is so understood by the Targum; and the LXX. render it {didrachma,} by which the Hebrew shekel is rendered in ch. 23:15, 16.
compensation <05414 03682> [behold.]
Or, "behold IT (the 1,000 shekels) is to thee," etc.
compensation <03682> [a covering.]
vindicated <03198> [thus.]
visited <06485> [visited.]
Sarah ...... said ....... Sarah ..... promised <08283 0559 01696> [Sarah as.]
pregnant <02029> [conceived.]
appointed time <04150> [at the set.]
God <0430> [God.]
laugh <06712> [to laugh.]
Sarah most likely remembered the circumstance mentioned in ch. 18:12; and also the name Isaac, which implies laughter.
laugh <06711> [will laugh.]
would <04448> [Who.]
birth <03205> [for I.]
weaned ............. weaned <01580> [A.M. 2111. B.C. 1893. and was.]
feast <04960> [feast.]
Sarah <08283> [Sarah.]
Egyptian <04713> [Egyptian.]
mocking <06711> [mocking.]
Banish <01644> [Cast out.]
The word rendered "cast out," signifies also to divorce. See Le 21:7. In this latter sense, it may be understood here.
heir <03423> [heir.]
because <0182> [because.]
<08085> [hearken.]
Isaac <03327> [in Isaac.]
Early <07925> [A.M. 2112. B.C. 1892. rose up.]
took <03947> [took.]
child <03206> [child.]
Or, youth, (see ver. 12, 20,) as Ishmael was now 16 or 17 years of age.
sent <07971> [sent.]
wandering aimlessly <08582> [wandered.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba.]
So called when Moses wrote; but not before Abraham's covenant with Abimelech, ver. 31. Such instances of the figure prolepsis are not infrequent in the Pentateuch.
water <04325> [the water.]
shoved ... child <07993 03206> [and she cast the child.]
Or, "and she sent the lad," to screen him from the intensity of the heat.
watch <07200> [Let.]
<05375> [lift.]
heard ............................ heard <08085> [heard.]
angel <04397> [the angel.]
Hagar ........... Hagar <01904> [What.]
afraid <03372> [fear.]
make <07760> [I will.]
God <0430> [God.]
<07235> [an archer.]
wilderness <04057> [in the.]
wife <0802> [a wife.]
Abimelech <040> [A.M. 2118. B.C. 1886. Abimelech.]
God <0430> [God.]
swear <07650> [swear.]
deceive ... my children or my <08266 05209> [that thou wilt not deal falsely with me. Heb. if thou shalt lie unto me. I have.]
lodged a complaint <03198> [reproved.]
concerning <0182> [because.]
Wells of water were of great consequence in those hot countries, especially where the flocks were numerous; because water was scarce, and digging to find it was attended with the expense of much time and labour.
servants <05650> [servants.]
know <03045> [I wot.]
"Wot," though used for the present, is the past tense of the almost obsolete word "to wit," from the Saxon {witan,} to know.
took <03947> [took.]
made <03772> [made.]
proof <05713> [a witness.]
named <07121> [called.]
[Beer-sheba. i.e., The well of the oath, or the well of the seven: alluding to the seven ewe lambs. The verb rendered "to swear" is derived from the word translated seven.]
.# 14 26:23 Jos 15:28 Jud 20:1 2Sa 17:11 1Ki 4:25
Philistines <06430> [the Philistines.]
tamarisk tree <0815> [grove. or, tree.]
The original word {eshel,} has been variously translated a grove, a plantation, an orchard, a cultivated field, and an oak; but it may denote a kind of tamarisk, as it is rendered by Gesenius, the same with the Arabic {athl.}
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba.]
worshiped <07121> [called.]
Lord <08034> [on the name.]
Dr. Shuckford justly contends, that the expression rendered, "he called on the name," signifies "he invoked in the name."
eternal <05769> [everlasting.]
God <0430> [A.M. 2132. B.C. 1872. Jos. Ant. God.]
tested <05254> [tempt.]
Or prove, or try, as tempt, from tento, originally signified.
[Behold, here I am. Heb. Behold me.]
Take <03947> [Take.]
Moriah <04179> [Moriah.]
up <05927> [and offer.]
third <07992> [third.]
caught <07200> [saw.]
stay <03427> [Abide.]
return <07725> [come.]
put ...... Isaac <07760 03327> [laid it.]
father .... father <01> [My father.]
son <01121> [Here am I. Heb. Behold me.]
lamb <07716> [but.]
lamb <07716> [lamb. or, kid.]
place <04725> [place.]
built <01129> [built.]
tied <06123> [bound.]
angel <04397> [angel.]
Abraham Abraham <085> [Abraham.]
harm <07971> [Lay.]
now <06258> [now.]
not <03808> [seeing.]
behind <0310> [behind.]
instead <08478> [in the.]
called <07121> [called.]
<03070> [Jehovah-jireh. i.e., The Lord will see, or provide.]
mountain <02022> [In.]
provides .............. provision <07200> [it shall be seen.]
"In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." The meaning is, that God, in the greatest difficulties, when all human assistance is vain, will make a suitable provision for the deliverance of those who trust in Him.
bless <01288> [in blessing.]
multiply <07235> [I will multiply.]
seashore <08193> [shore. Heb. lip.]
descendants ........................ descendants <02233> [thy seed.]
descendants <02233> [And in.]
obeyed <08085> [obeyed.]
Abraham ............... Abraham <085> [So Abraham.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [to Beer-sheba.]
told <05046> [A.M. 2142. B.C. 1862. told.]
Milcah <04435> [Milcah.]
Nahor <05152> [Nahor.]
Uz <05780> [Huz.]
[Uz. Buz.]
Kemuel <07055> [Kemuel.]
Kemuel might have given name to the Kamilites, a people of Syria, mentioned by Strabo, to the west of the Euphrates.
Aram <0758> [Aram. Syrians.]
Bethuel <01328> [Bethuel.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
[Rebecca.]
concubine <06370> [concubine.]
Maacah <04601> [Maachah.]
He may have been the father of the Macetes, in Arabia Felix: there is a city called Maca towards the straits of Ormus.
Sarah <08283> [A.M. 2144. B.C. 1860. Sarah.]
It is worthy of remark, that Sarah is the only woman whose age, death, and burial are distinctly noted in the Sacred writings.
127 <03967> [an.]
Kiriath Arba <07153> [Kirjath-arba.]
went <0935> [came.]
For the convenience of feeding his numerous flocks, Abraham had several places of temporary residence; and it is likely, that while he sojourned at Beer-sheba, as we find he did from ver. 19 of the preceding chapter, Sarah died at Hebron, which was 24 miles distant.
mourn <05594> [mourn.]
Heth <02845> [Heth.]
temporary <01616> [stranger.]
burial site <06913> [buryingplace.]
bury <06912> [bury.]
sir <0113> [my lord.]
mighty prince <05387 0430> [a mighty prince. Heb. a prince of God.]
prince <05387> [prince.]
Ask <06293> [intreat.]
full price <03701 04392> [much money. Heb. full money.]
sitting <03427> [dwelt.]
Or, sitting (as the word frequently denotes) among the children of Heth, at the gate of the city, where all public business was transacted. Ephron, though a chief man, might have been personally unknown to Abraham; but now he answers for himself, making a free tender of the field and cave to Abraham, in the presence of all the people, which amounted to a legal conveyance to the Patriarch.
hearing <0241> [audience. Heb. ears. all that.]
city <05892> [his.]
lord <0113> [my lord.]
presence <05869> [in the.]
pay ................. bury <05414 06912> [I will.]
400 <0702> [is worth.]
Though the words "is worth" are not in the Text, yet they are clearly implied, to adapt the Hebrew to the English idiom. A shekel, according to the general opinion, was equal in value to about 2s. 6d. of our money, but according to Dr. Prideaux, 3s. English. In those early times, money was given in weight; for it is said (ver. 16.) that "Abraham weighed," {wayishkal,} the silver; and hence, we find that it was a certain weight which afterwards passed as a current coin; for the word shekel is not only used to denote a piece of sliver, but also to weigh.
pieces <08255> [shekels.]
weighed out <08254> [weighed.]
400 <0702> [four.]
field ......... field ................ field <07704> [the field.]
So ... secured <06965> [made sure.]
entered <0935> [all.]
secured <06965> [were.]
site <0272> [for a.]
old <02204> [was old.]
advanced ... years <03117 0935> [well stricken in age. Heb. gone into days. blessed.]
senior <02205> [eldest.]
charge <04910> [ruled.]
Put <07760> [Put.]
solemnly <07650> [swear.]
Lord ... God ...... God .... earth ............. daughters .... Canaanites <03068 0430 0776 01323 03669> [the.]
acquire <03947> [that.]
relatives <04138> [to my kindred.]
There does not appear in all this concern the least taint of worldly policy, or any of those motives which usually govern men in the settlement of their children. No mention is made of riches, or honours, or natural accomplishments, but merely of what related to God.--Fuller.
woman <0802> [Peradventure.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
took ...................................... find <03947> [took.]
promised <01696> [which spake.]
angel <04397> [angel.]
free <05352> [clear.]
back <07725> [only.]
gifts <02898> [for. or, and. all the.]
Aram Naharaim <0763> [Mesopotamia.]
city <05892> [city.]
kneel <01288> [kneel.]
out ... draw <07579 03318> [women go out to draw water. Heb. women which draw water go forth.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
<06440> [I pray.]
standing <05324> [I stand.]
daughters <01323> [daughters.]
young woman <05291> [And let.]
chosen <03198> [she that.]
know <03045> [thereby.]
finished <03615> [before.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
Milcah <04435> [Milcah.]
jug <03537> [pitcher.]
beautiful <02896 04758> [fair to look upon. Heb. good of countenance.]
sexual relations <03045> [known.]
sip <01572> [Let.]
water .... jug <04325 03537> [water of.]
Silently .... watched <07583 02790> [wondering at.]
[to wit. i.e., "to know," or "to learn."]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
took <03947> [took.]
nose ring <05141> [earring. or, jewel for the forehead.]
From the word being in the singular number, it is not likely to have been an ear-ring, or a "jewel for the forehead," but "a jewel for the nose, a nose-ring," which is in use throughout Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. It is very properly translated [epirrinon,] "an ornament for the nose," by Symmachus; and Sir John Chardin informs us, that "it is a custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is bored low down in the middle. These rings are of gold, and have commonly two pearls and one ruby between, placed in the ring. I never saw a girl or young woman in Arabia or in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this manner in her nostril."
beka <01235> [of half.]
bracelets <06781> [bracelets.]
The word rendered "bracelet," from a root which signifies "to join or couple together," may imply whatever may clasp round the arms and legs; for rings and ornaments are worn round both by females in India and Persia. The small part of the leg, and the whole arm, from the shoulder to the wrist, are generally decorated in this way. As these were given to Rebekah for "her hands," it sufficiently distinguishes them from similar ornaments for the ankles.
Praised <01288> [Blessed.]
faithful <02617> [of his.]
Lord ................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
master ............ master ............ master's <0113> [of my.]
mother's <0517> [of.]
mother's <0517> [her mother's.]
Some have conjectured from this, that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel, (ver. 50,) was a younger brother. This is possible; but as Dr. A. Clarke remarks, the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries, the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here; though, from the whole narrative, it is very probable that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.
blessed ......... out <01288 02351> [thou.]
prepared <06437> [for I.]
unloaded <06605> [he ungirded. i.e., Laban ungirded. straw.]
Straw, by the eastern mode of threshing, was cut or shattered, and reduced to a kind of chaff. With this, sometimes mixed with a little barley, the eastern people still feed their labouring beasts, as they anciently did.
wash <07364> [wash.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sheep <06629> [flocks.]
Sarah <08283> [Sarah.]
given <05414> [unto.]
master <0113> [And my.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanites.]
The Canaanites were infected with gross idolatry; and consequently, not proper persons with whom to form so intimate a connection; especially as Jehovah had shown Abraham that they were filling up the measure of their iniquity, and were doomed to destruction.
but <0518> [But.]
[my father's. i.e., Where the family of Haran his brother had settled; and where he himself had remained some time with his father Terah.]
Nahor did not dwell at Ur of the Chaldees, but at Haran in Mesopotamia. The true worship of God seems to have been in some measure preserved in this family, though afterwards corrupted.
[Peradventure.]
We may see, says Calmet, by this and other passages of Scripture, (Jos 9:18,) what the sentiments of the ancients were relative to an oath. They believed that they were bound precisely by what was spoken, and had no liberty to interpret the intentions of those by whom the oath was made.
answered <0559> [And he.]
before <06440> [before.]
send <07971> [will.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
successful <06743> [prosper.]
Drink <08354> [Both.]
woman <0802> [the woman.]
chosen <03198> [appointed.]
Those events, which appear to us the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are matters of appointment with God; and the persuasion of this does not prevent, but rather encourage, the use of all proper means; at the same time that it confines us to proper means, and delivers the mind from useless anxiety about consequences.
finished <03615> [before.]
praying <01696> [speaking.]
put <07760> [I put.]
bowed down <06915> [bowed.]
led <05148> [led me.]
<03426> [now if.]
show faithful love <06213 02617 0571> [deal kindly and truly. Heb. do mercy and truth.]
go <06437> [that I.]
Laban <03837> [Laban.]
These seem both to be brothers, of whom Laban was the eldest and chief: the opinion of Josephus appears to be very correct, that Bethuel, the father, had been dead some time.
<01697> [The thing.]
<03201> [we.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
decided <01696> [hath.]
bowed <07812> [worshipped.]
jewelry <03627> [jewels. Heb. vessels.]
The original word denotes vessels, utensils, instruments, furniture, or dress; and these presented by Abraham's servant might have been of various kinds.
brother <0251> [brother.]
No mention is made of her father.
valuable <04030> [precious.]
This term, rendered "precious things," as may be seen in the parallel texts, is used to express exquisite fruits or delicacies, and precious plants or flowers: but here it may mean gifts in general, though rather of an inferior kind to those mentioned above.
Let <07971> [Send me.]
days <03117> [a few days. or, a full year, or ten months.]
detain <0309> [Hinder.]
success <06743> [prospered.]
sister <0269> [their.]
female attendant <03243> [nurse.]
blessed <01288> [they.]
become ..... thousands <01961 0505> [be thou the mother.]
Or, "be thou for thousands of myriads;" a large family being always considered, in ancient times, as a proof of the peculiar blessing and favour of God.
thousands <0505> [thousands.]
descendants <02233> [thy seed.]
mounted <07392> [they rode.]
<03212> [followed.]
Beer Lahai Roi <0883> [Lahai-roi.]
Negev <05045> [south.]
relax <07742> [to meditate. or, to pray.]
They who acknowledge God in all their ways, will find him present to direct their paths, and make their way prosperous; and when the prayer of faith meets with an immediate answer, the glory ought as speedily to be rendered to God in solemn praise and thanksgiving.
down <05307> [lighted.]
veil <06809> [a vail.]
mother ................... mother's <0517> [his mother.]
Sarah's tent <08283 0168> [Sarah's tent.]
Sarah, being dead, her tent, which, according to the custom of the east, was distinct from that of Abraham, became now appropriated to the use of Rebekah.
took <03947> [and took.]
comforted <05162> [comforted.]
