Genesis 18:1--44:34
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.]
[A.M. cir. 2151. B.C. cir. 1853.]
bore <03205> [A.M. cir. 2152. B.C. cir. 1852. she bare.]
[Zimri. Midian.]
Shuah <07744> [Shuah.]
Sheba <07614> [A.M. cir. 2180. B.C. cir. 1824. Sheba.]
Dedan ..... Dedan <01719> [Dedan.]
Asshurites <0805> [Asshurim.]
Ephah <05891> [A.M. cir. 2200. B.C. cir. 1804. Ephah.]
[A.M. cir. 2175. B.C. cir. 1829.]
Isaac typified the Son of God, "whom HE hath appointed Heir of all things."
concubines <06370> [concubines.]
gifts <04979> [gifts.]
sent <07971> [sent.]
east <0776 06924> [east country.]
Arabia Deserta, which was eastward of Beer-sheba, where Abraham dwelt.
[A.M. 2183. B.C. 1821.]
breathed ... last <01478> [gave.]
good <02896> [good.]
joined <0622> [gathered.]
Isaac <03327> [Isaac.]
cave <04631> [in the cave.]
field <07704> [The field.]
Abraham .......... Abraham <085> [there.]
After <0310> [after.]
Beer Lahai Roi <0883> [La-hai-roi.]
names ....... names <08034> [the names.]
Nebaioth <05032> [Nebajoth.]
From Nebajoth sprang the Nabatheans, who inhabited Arabia Petraea; from Kedar, the Cedreans, who dwelt near the Nabatheans; and from Jetur, the Itureans, who inhabited a small tract of country east of Jordan, which afterwards belonged to Manasseh.
Kedar <06938> [Kedar.]
Dumah <01746> [Dumah.]
<02316> [Hadar. or, Hadad.]
More than 300 MSS. and printed editions read Hadad, as in 1 Ch 1:30.
Tema <08485> [Tema.]
Naphish <05305> [Naphish.]
These are evidently the same people mentioned in 1 Ch 5:19, who, with the Itureans, assisted the Hagarenes against the Israelites, but were overcome by the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
camps <02918> [castles.]
The word {tiroth,} rendered "castles," is supposed by some to denote here "towers," fortified rocks, or mountain-tops, and fastnesses of various kinds in woods and hilly countries; but it rather means, "shepherds' cots," surrounded by sufficient enclosures to prevent the cattle from straying, as the cognate Syriac word {teyaro,} and Arabic {tawar,} signify "a sheep-fold."
<08147> [twelve.]
total .... years <08141> [A.M. 2231. B.C. 1773. these are.]
joined <0622> [gathered.]
Havilah <02341> [Havilah.]
way <0935> [as thou.]
Asshur <0804> [toward.]
settled <05307> [died. Heb. fell.]
next ............ from <06440> [in the.]
Abraham Abraham <085> [A.M. 2108. B.C. 1896. Abraham.]
married <03947> [A.M. 2148. B.C. 1856. when he.]
Aramean .......... Aramean <0761> [the Syrian.]
prayed ................ answered ... prayer <06279> [A.M. 2167. B.C. 1837. intreated.]
childless <06135> [because.]
Lord ............ Lord <03068> [and the.]
Rebekah <07259> [and Rebekah.]
asked <01875> [A.M. 2168. B.C. 1836. enquire.]
Two nations ....... two <01471 08147> [Two nations.]
Two ........ two <08147> [two manner.]
older <07227> [the elder.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
The word Esau has been generally considered to imply made, formed, or perfected; or perfect, robust, etc. But it appears to be a dialectical variation of the Arabic atha, to be covered with hair; whence athai, hairy, as no doubt the word Esau imports, in allusion to the circumstance of his being covered with red hair or down at his birth.
<0310> [And after.]
clutching <0270> [took.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
Isaac ... sixty <03327 08346> [Isaac was.]
<03045> [a cunning.]
even-tempered <08535> [a plain main.]
living <03427> [dwelling.]
fresh game <06718 06310> [he did eat of his venison. Heb. venison was in his mouth.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
famished <05889> [A.M. 2199. B.C. 1805. and he.]
red ..... red <0122 04480> [with that same red pottage. Heb. with that red, with that red pottage.]
This, we are informed, (ver. 34,) was of lentiles, a sort of pulse.
Edom <0123> [Edom. i.e., red.]
about ... die <04191 01980> [at the point to die. Heb. going to die. and what.]
birthright <01062> [birthright.]
Swear ......... swore <07650> [Swear.]
sold <04376> [and he sold.]
ate <0398> [eat.]
Esau .................. Esau <06215> [thus Esau.]
earlier <07223> [A.M. 2200. B.C. 1804. the first.]
Isaac <03327> [And Isaac.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
appeared <07200> [appeared.]
settle <07931> [dwell.]
Stay <01481> [Sojourn.]
bless <01288> [I will be.]
descendants <02233> [unto thee.]
solemn <07621> [oath.]
multiply <07235> [multiply.]
descendants .................. them ....... nations ................ descendants <02233 01471> [seed shall.]
Gerar <01642> [Gerar.]
sister <0269> [She is my sister.]
very beautiful <02896> [fair.]
window <02474> [a window.]
caressing <06711> [sporting.]
touches <05060> [toucheth.]
planted <02232> [sowed.]
The author of the "History of the Piratical States of Barbary" observes, (p. 44,) that the Moors of that country are divided into tribes like the Arabians, and like them dwell in tents, formed into itinerant villages; that "these wanderers farm lands of the inhabitants of the towns, sow and cultivate them, paying their rent with the produce, such as fruits, corn, wax, etc. They are very skilful in choosing the most advantageous soils for every season, and very careful to avoid the Turkish troops, the violence of the one little suiting the simplicity of the other." It is natural to suppose, that Isaac possessed the like sagacity, when he sowed in the land of Gerar, and received that year an hundred-fold.
reaped <04672> [received. Heb. found. an hundredfold.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
man ... wealthy ... influence .... grow ...... prominent <0376 01431> [And the man waxed great.]
Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that there is a strange and observable occurrence of the same term in the original, which is literally, "And the man was GREAT, and he went, going on, and was GREAT, until that he was exceeding GREAT." How simple is this language, and yet how forcible!
wealthy ...... grow ...... prominent <01431> [waxed great.]
continued <01980 03212> [went forward. Heb. went going.]
sheep ... cattle <04735> [had possession.]
household <05657> [servants. or, husbandry. envied.]
father's ........... father <01> [his father's.]
<05640> [had stopped.]
In those countries, a well of water was a great acquisition; and hence, this mode of injuring new settlers, or revenging themselves on their enemies, is still resorted to among the inhabitants.
<03212> [Go.]
Dr. A. Clarke observes, that this is the first instance on record of what was termed among the Greeks, ostracism, i.e., the banishment of person from the state, of whose power, influence, or riches, the people were jealous.
much more powerful <06105> [mightier.]
days <03117> [in the days.]
Houbigant contends, that instead of {bimey,} "in the days," we should read, {avdey,} "servants;" agreeably to the Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate: "And Isaac digged again the wells of water which the servants of Abraham his father had digged."
gave .......... given <07121> [and he.]
fresh flowing water <04325 02416> [springing water. Heb. living.]
quarreled <07378> [did strive.]
Esek <06230> [Esek. i.e., Contention.]
Sitnah <07856> [Sitnah. i.e., Hatred.]
dug <02658> [digged.]
The wells in Arabia are generally dug in the rock: their mouths are about six feet in diameter, and they are from nineteen to twenty feet in depth. But Niebuhr informs us, that many wells are from 160 to 170 feet deep.
Rehoboth <07344> [Rehoboth. i.e., Room. the Lord.]
made ........ prosper <06509> [be fruitful.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba.]
God <0430> [I am the.]
afraid <03372> [fear.]
built <01129> [builded.]
worshiped <07121> [called.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
Phicol <06369> [Phichol.]
Phichol, as well as Abimelech, "father king," seems to have been a name of office or dignity among the Philistines; for it is not probable that they were the same as are mentioned in the days of Abraham (ch. 21:22, 32.)
hate <08130> [seeing.]
sent <07971> [sent me.]
plainly see <07200> [We saw certainly. Heb. Seeing we saw. was with.]
pact <0423> [Let there.]
do ............... treated <06213> [That thou wilt. Heb. If thou shalt, etc. not.]
blessed <01288> [the blessed.]
Early <07925> [betimes.]
made a treaty <07650> [sware.]
found <04672> [We have.]
Shibah <07656> [Shebah. i.e., an oath. therefore.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba. i.e., the well of the oath.]
This may have been the same city which was called Beer-sheba a hundred years before this, in the time of Abraham; but as the well, from which it had its name originally, was closed up by the Philistines, the name of the place might have been abolished with the well; when, therefore, Isaac re-opened it, he restored the ancient name of the place.
Esau <06215> [A.M. 2208. B.C. 1796. And Esau.]
daughter ........... daughter <01323> [the daughter.]
Basemath <01315> [Bashemath.]
anxiety <04786> [Which.]
anxiety <07307 04786> [grief of mind. Heb. bitterness of spirit.]
[A.M. 2244. B.C. 1760.]
almost <03543> [dim.]
older son ........ son <01121 01419> [eldest son.]
could ..... time <03045 03117> [I know not.]
take ... weapons <05375 03627> [take, I.]
hunt <06679 06718> [take me. Heb. hunt.]
eat <0398> [that I may eat.]
The blessing, says Dr. A. Clarke, which Isaac was to confer on his son, was a species of divine right, and must be communicated with appropriate ceremonies. As eating and drinking were used among the Asiatics on almost all religious occasions, and especially in making and confirming covenants, it is reasonable to suppose, that something of this kind was essentially necessary on this occasion; and that Isaac could not convey the right, till he had eaten of the meat provided for the purpose by him who was to receive the blessing.
<05315> [that my.]
presence .... Lord before <06440 03068> [before the.]
two <08147> [two.]
tasty <04303> [savoury.]
{Matammim,} from {taam,} to taste or relish: how dressed is uncertain, but its name declares it nature.
hairy man ............ skin <0376 08163> [hairy man.]
touch <04959> [feel.]
mocking <08591> [a deceiver.]
think ....... bring <05869 0935> [and I shall.]
curse <07045> [Upon.]
mother <0517> [mother.]
best clothes <02532 0899> [goodly raiment. Heb. desirable.]
The Septuagint translates it "a goodly robe," which was a long garment that great men used to wear, (Lu 20:46; 15:22.) The priest afterwards in the law had "holy garments" to minister in, (Ex 28:2-4.) Whether the first-born before the law had such to minister in is not certain: for, had they been common garments, why did not Esau himself or his wives keep them? But being, in likelihood, holy robes, received from their ancestors, the mother of the family kept them in sweet chests, from moths and the like; whereupon it is said, (ver. 27,) "Isaac smelled the smell of his garments."
skins <05785> [skins.]
Travellers inform us, that the Eastern goats have long, fine, and beautiful hair, of the most delicate silky softness; indeed the animals generally in those hot countries are not covered with so thick a coat of hair as they are in more northerly regions; so that Isaac might easily be deceived, when his eyes were dim, and his feeling no less impaired than his sight.
Esau <06215> [I am.]
me <05315> [that thy.]
Lord <03068> [Because.]
<06440> [to me. Heb. before me.]
Come closer <05066> [Come.]
touch <04184> [may feel.]
voice <06963> [The voice.]
How wonderful, says Mr. Scott, is that difference which there is betwixt the faces and the voices of the several individuals of the human species! Scarcely any two of the innumerable millions are exactly alike in either, and yet the difference cannot be defined or described! The power, wisdom, and kindness of our Creator should be admired and adored in this remarkable circumstance; for they are very visible. This description of Jacob is not unaptly accommodated to the character of a hypocrite: his voice, his language, is that of a Christian; his hands, or conduct, that of an ungodly man: but the judgment will proceed from God, the Judge of all, at the last day, as in the present case, not by the voice, but by the hands.
hands ........ hands <03027> [his hands.]
blessed <01288> [he blessed.]
[I am.]
<05315> [that my.]
blessed ................... blessed <01288> [blessed.]
scent ............ smells .... scent .... open field <07381 07704> [the smell of a field.]
A field where aromatic plants, flowers, fruits, and spices grew in abundance, with which these garments (see ver. 15) of Esau might probably have been perfumed by being laid up with them.
Lord <03068> [which.]
dew <02919> [of the dew.]
<04924> [the fatness.]
plenty <07230> [plenty.]
nations <05971> [Let people.]
will be lord <01376 01933> [be lord.]
curse .... cursed <0779> [cursed.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
shake violently <02729 01419 03966> [trembled very exceedingly. Heb trembled with a great trembling greatly.]
hunted <06679> [taken. Heb. hunted. thou camest.]
blessed ....... blessed <01288> [yea.]
wailed <06817> [he cried.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob. i.e., a supplanter.]
took away ......... taken away <03947> [he took.]
made <07760> [I have.]
grain <01715> [with.]
provided <05564> [sustained. or, supported.]
home <04186> [Behold.]
<04924> [the fatness. or, of the fatness.]
It is here foretold, says Bp. Newton, that as to temporal advantages, the two brothers should be much alike. (See ver. 28.) Esau had cattle, beasts, and substance in abundance, and he went to dwell in Mount Seir of his own accord. When the Israelites desired leave to pass through the territories of Edom, the country abounded with fruitful fields and vineyards. (Nu 20:17.)
sword <02719> [thy sword.]
serve <05647> [serve.]
tear off <06561> [that thou.]
hated <07852> [hated.]
time <03117> [The days.]
kill <02026> [then.]
planning ...... killing <05162 02026> [comfort himself.]
do what ... say <08085> [obey.]
Haran <02771> [Haran.]
subsides <03117 0259> [a few days.]
send <07971> [then I.]
Why <04100> [why.]
deeply <06973> [I am.]
<06440> [because.]
Jacob <03290> [if Jacob.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
marry <03947> [Thou shalt.]
immediately <06965> [Arise.]
Paddan Aram <06307> [Padan-aram.]
Laban <03837> [Laban.]
God <0410> [God.]
fruitful <06509> [and make.]
large <06951> [a multitude. Heb. an assembly.]
blessing <01293> [the blessing.]
living as a temporary resident <04033> [wherein thou art a stranger. Heb. of thy sojournings.]
God <0430> [which.]
sent Jacob ......................... Jacob <07971 03290> [sent away Jacob.]
Whoever observes Jacob's life, after he had surreptitiously obtained his father's blessing, will perceive that he enjoyed very little worldly felicity. His brother purposed to murder him, to avoid which he was forced to flee from his father's house; his uncle Laban deceived him, as he had deceived his father, and treated him with great rigour; after a servitude of 21 years, he was obliged to leave him in a clandestine manner, not without danger of being brought back, or murdered by his enraged brother; no sooner were these fears over, than he experienced the baseness of his son Reuben, in defiling his bed; he had next to bewail the treachery and cruelty of Simeon and Levi toward the Shechemites; then he had to feel the loss of his beloved wife; he was next imposed upon by his own sons, and had to lament the supposed untimely end of Joseph; and to complete all, he was forced by famine to go into Egypt, and there died, in a strange land. So just, wonderful, and instructive are all the ways of Providence!
Paddan Aram <06307> [Padan-aram.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
find ............... marry <03947> [Thou.]
women <01323> [the daughters.]
displeasing <05869 07451> [pleased not. Heb. were evil in the eyes.]
Ishmael .............. Ishmael <03458> [unto Ishmael.]
Mahalath <04258> [Mahalath. called also, Bashemath.]
sister <0269> [the sister.]
took <03947> [took.]
near ... head <07760 04763> [put them.]
This should be "put it;" for we find (ver. 18) it was only one stone.
dream <02492> [he dreamed.]
stairway <05551> [ladder.]
Lord stood .......... Lord <05324 03068> [the Lord stood.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [I am.]
ground <0776> [the land.]
descendants ......................................... descendants <02233> [thy seed.]
spread out <06555> [spread abroad. Heb. break forth. to the west.]
descendants ......................................... descendants <02233> [and in thee.]
protect <08104> [I am.]
protect <08104> [keep.]
back <07725> [bring.]
leave <05800> [for I.]
wherever ................... have ... what <0834> [until.]
realize <03045> [and I.]
afraid ...... awesome <03372> [he was.]
house <01004> [the house.]
Early <07925> [rose up.]
took <03947> [and took.]
The practice of setting up stones as a memorial by travellers still exists in Persia, and other parts of the East.
placed ...... set <07760> [set it.]
poured <03332> [poured.]
called ........ name <08034> [the name.]
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el. i.e., the house of God.]
made <05087> [vowed.]
God <0430> [If God.]
gives <05414> [will give.]
return <07725> [I come.]
Lord <03068> [then.]
God <0430> [God's.]
surely ...... tenth <06237> [I will.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
moved on <05375 07272> [went on his journey. Heb. lifted up his feet. came.]
people <01121> [people. Heb. children. east.]
The district of Mesopotamia, and the whole country beyond the Euphrates, are called Kedem, or the East, in the Sacred Writings.
well ................. well ........... well <0875> [a well.]
three <07969> [there.]
large stone <068 01419> [a great stone.]
In Arabia, and other places in the East, they cover up their wells of water, lest the sand, which is put in motion by the winds, should fill and quite stop them up. So great was their care not to leave the well open any length of time, that they waited till the flocks were all gathered together before they began to draw water; and when they had finished, the well was immediately closed again.
flocks <05739> [the flocks.]
Instead of {haadarim,} "the flocks," the Samaritan reads {haroin,} "the shepherds," as does also the Arabic in Walton's Polyglott. This verse describes what was usually done by some mutual compact among the shepherds, and shows the purpose for which the flocks lay by the well; for the stone was not removed till all the flocks had been collected. Scott.
Haran <02771> [Of Haran.]
[Charran.]
grandson ... Nahor <01121 05152> [son of.]
[Is he well? Heb. there peace to him?]
Since <02005> [Lo.]
day <01419 03117> [it is yet high day. Heb. yet the day is great.]
flocks <05739> [until.]
rolled <01556> [roll.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
tending <07462> [for she kept them.]
In those primitive times, a pastoral life was not only considered useful but honourable: nor was it beneath the dignity of the daughters of the most opulent chiefs to carry water from the well, or tend the sheep. Jacob, Moses, and David were shepherds.
rolled <01556> [rolled.]
kissed <05401> [kissed.]
weep <01058> [and wept.]
relative <0251> [brother.]
ran <07323> [and she.]
news <08088> [tidings. Heb. hearing. he ran.]
kissed <05401> [kissed.]
<01697> [all these.]
flesh <06106> [art my.]
month <02320 03117> [the space of a month. Heb. a month of days.]
Tell ..... wages <05046 04909> [tell me.]
Leah <03812> [was Leah.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
lovely .... beautiful <03303> [beautiful.]
love <0157> [loved.]
serve <05647> [I will serve.]
In ancient times, it was a custom among many nations to give dowries for their wives; but Jacob, being poor, offered for Rachel seven year's service.
worked <05647> [A.M. 2251. B.C. 1753. served.]
<0160> [for the love.]
Give .... wife <03051 0802> [Give me.]
time <03117> [my days.]
have marital relations <0935> [go in.]
prepared <06213> [and made.]
brought ......... had marital relations <0935> [brought her.]
Zilpah <02153> [Zilpah.]
morning <01242> [in the morning.]
tricked <07411> [wherefore.]
here <04725> [country. Heb. place.]
week <07620> [week.]
give <05414> [we will.]
When ... completed .... week <07620 04390> [fulfilled her week.]
The public marriage feast made on this occasion, seems to have formed the regular method of recognising the marriage, and lasted seven days: it would therefore have been improper to have broken off the solemnities to which all the men of the place had been invited (ver. 22) and probably Laban wished to keep the fraud from the public eye. It is perfectly plain that Jacob did not serve seven years more before he got Rachel to wife.
Bilhah <01090> [Bilhah.]
loved <0157> [he loved.]
worked <05647> [served.]
saw <07200> [saw.]
unloved <08130> [was hated.]
enabled ... to become pregnant <06605> [he opened.]
named <08034> [A.M. 2252. B.C. 1752. his name.]
Reuben <07205> [Reuben. that is, See a son. looked.]
Lord <03068> [A.M. 2253. B.C. 1751. Because.]
So she <07121> [called.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon. that is, Hearing.]
named <08034> [A.M. 2254. B.C. 1750. was.]
Levi <03878> [Levi. that is, joined.]
she <07121> [A.M. 2255. B.C. 1749. called.]
Judah <03063> [Judah. that is, Praise. left bearing. Heb. stood from bearing.]
That is, for a time; for she had several children afterwards. (See ch. 30:17, etc.).
Rachel <07354> [when Rachel.]
Rachel ............ jealous <07065 07354> [Rachel envied.]
Envy and jealousy are most tormenting passions to the breast which harbours them, vexatious to all around, and introductory to much impatience and ungodliness. "Who is able to stand before envy?"
I'll die <0369 04191> [or else I die.]
furious <0639> [anger.]
God <0430> [Am I.]
exclaimed ........... kept <04513> [withheld.]
servant <0519> [Behold.]
bear children <03205> [she shall.]
family <01129> [have children by her. Heb. be built up by her.]
wife <0802> [to wife.]
God <0430> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. God.]
Dan <01835> [Dan. that is, Judging.]
[A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747.]
desperate struggle <05319 0430> [great wrestlings. Heb. wrestlings of God.]
So she <07121> [and she.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali. that is, My wrestling.]
[Nephthalim.]
stopped <05975> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. left.]
Jacob <05414 03290> [gave her.]
named <07121> [she.]
Gad <01410> [Gad. that is, A troop, or company.]
happy <0837> [A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747. Happy am I. Heb. In my happiness. will call.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Asher <0836> [Asher. that is, Happy.]
mandrake ....................... mandrakes <01736> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. mandrakes.]
The mandrake may be the Hebrew {dudaim:} it is so rendered by all the ancient versions, and is a species of melon, of an agreeable odour. Hasselquist, speaking of Nazareth in Galilee, says, "What I found most remarkable at this village was the great number of mandrakes which grew in a vale below it. I had not the pleasure of seeing this plant in blossom, the fruit now (May 5th, O. S.) hanging ripe on the stem, which lay withered on the ground. From the season in which this mandrake blossoms and ripens fruit, one might form a conjecture that it was Rachel's {dudaim.} These were brought her in the wheat harvest, which in Galilee is in the month of May, about this time, and the mandrake was now in fruit." The Abbee Mariti describes it as growing "low like a lettuce, to which its leaves have a great resemblance, except that they have a dark green colour. The flowers are purple, and the root is for the most part forked. The fruit, when ripe in the beginning of May, is of the size and colour of a small apple, exceedingly ruddy, and of a most agreeable odour. Our guide thought us fools for suspecting it to be unwholesome."
Give <05414> [Give me.]
[A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar. that is, An hire.]
Now ... husband <06471 0376> [A.M. cir. 2258. B.C. cir. 1746. now will.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun. that is, Dwelling.]
[Zabulon.]
<07121> [A.M. cir. 2259. B.C. 1745. and called.]
Dinah <01783> [Dinah. that is, Judgment.]
took note <02142> [remembered.]
enabled ... to become pregnant <06605> [opened.]
barrenness therefore was reckoned a reproach. The intense desire of having children, observable among the Jewish women, arose not only from this reproach of barrenness, but from the hope of being the mother of the promised seed, and Him in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed.
She <07121> [And she.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph. that is, Adding.]
Send <07971> [Send me away.]
home <04725> [mine.]
country <0776> [and to.]
wives <0802> [my wives.]
know <03045> [for thou.]
favor <02580> [favour.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
increased <06555> [increased. Heb. broken forth.]
Lord <03068> [and the.]
<07272> [since my coming. Heb. at my foot.]
long <04970> [when.]
wages <07939> [of such.]
integrity <06666> [righteousness.]
testify <06030> [answer.]
later <04279 03117> [in time to come. Heb. to-morrow.]
stolen <01589> [that shall be.]
Supply the ellipsis by inserting "if found," after "stolen," and the sense will be clear.
So ..... removed <05493> [he removed.]
From this it appears, that, as Jacob had agreed to take all the parti-coloured for his wages, and was now only beginning to act upon this agreement, and consequently had as yet no right to any of the cattle, therefore Laban separated from the flock all such cattle as Jacob might afterwards claim in consequence of his bargain, leaving only the black and white with Jacob.
care ... his <03027> [the hand.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
fresh-cut .... poplar <03839 03892> [green poplar.]
{Livneh} is the white poplar, so called from the whiteness of its leaves, bark, and wood, from {lavan} to be white.
[hasel.]
Jerome, Hiller, Celsius, Dr. Shaw, Bochart, and other learned men, say, that {luz} is not the "hazel" but the almond-tree, as the word denotes both in Arabic and Syriac.
[chestnut tree.]
The Heb. word {armon,} signifies "the plane-tree," so called from the bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the trunk naked, as its root {aram,} signifies.
gave birth <03205> [brought forth.]
stronger females ... in heat ............... flock ..... mate <06629 03179 07194> [whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive.]
As the means which Jacob used would not in general produce similar effects, nay, probably the experiment was never in any other instance tried with effect, it is more in harmony with Divine truth to suppose that he was directed by some Divine intimation; and rendered successful, if not by a direct miracle, yet at least by the Lord's giving a new and uncommon bias to the tendency of natural causes.
The Lord will, in one way or other, honour those who simply trust his providence.
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
rich <03519> [glory.]
"Glory" is here used for "wealth," riches, or property; since those who possess riches, generally make them the subject of glory. The original word cavod, signifies both "glory" and "weight."
face <06440> [countenance.]
attitude <08543> [it was.]
[as before. Heb. as yesterday and the day before.]
Return <07725> [Return.]
land <0776> [land.]
[with thee.]
can <07200> [I see.]
God <0430> [the God.]
ten times <06235 04489> [ten times.]
The Hebrew, {asereth monim,} is literally, as Aquila renders, "ten numbers;" and Symmachus, "ten times in number;" which probably implies an indefinite number: see ver. 41.
God <0430> [God.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
male goats <06260> [rams. or, he-goats. ringstraked.]
spotted <01261> [grisled.]
The original word, {beroodim,} from {barad,} "hail" means marked with white spots like hail; to which our word grisled, from the old french {gresle,} now {grele,} hail, perfectly agrees; hence {gresle,} spotted with white on a dark ground.
angel <04397> [the angel.]
[Here am I.]
Observe <05375> [Lift up.]
Observe ................... observed <07200> [I have seen.]
God <0410> [the God.]
return <07725> [return.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
portion <02506> [yet any.]
sold ..... wasted <04376 0398> [sold us.]
God .................. God <0430> [which God.]
God .................. God <0430> [whatsoever.]
camels <01581> [upon camels.]
set out <0935> [for to go.]
household idols <08655> [images. Heb. teraphim.]
These might have been images devoted to superstitious or idolatrous purposes, as they are termed gods by Laban, in ver. 30. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, {tzalmanaya,} "images;" the LXX. and Theodoret, [eidolon <\\See definition 1497\\,] "idols;" Aquilla, [morphomata,] "figures;" and the Persian, {asterlabha,} "astrolabes."
Laban <03820 03837> [unawares to Laban. Heb. the heart of Laban. See references on ver. 27.]
crossed <05674> [passed.]
headed <07760 06440> [set his.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
Aramean <0761> [the Syrian.]
dream <02472> [dream.]
Be careful <08104> [Take heed.]
bless nor curse <02896 05704 07451> [either good or bad. Heb. from good to bad.]
done <06213> [What.]
You've <05090> [carried.]
run away <01272> [Wherefore.]
deceive ...... tell <01589 05046> [steal away from me. Heb. hast stolen me.]
send <07971> [that I.]
celebration <08057> [with mirth.]
tambourines <08596> [tabret.]
kiss <05401> [kiss.]
foolishly <05528> [foolishly.]
power <0410> [the power.]
God <0430> [the God.]
last night <0570> [yesternight.]
Be careful <08104> [Take.]
gods <0430> [my gods.]
afraid <03372> [Because.]
Whoever has <0834> [whomsoever.]
This was rash, and might have produced fatal effects; but Jacob was partial to Rachel, and did not suspect her; and he was indignant at being accused of a crime which he deeply abhorred. Scott.
presence <05048> [before.]
Jacob <03290> [For Jacob.]
Leah's ..................... Leah's <03812> [Leah's.]
taken <03947> [had taken.]
<03733> [furniture.]
The word, {car,} rendered "furniture," properly denotes "a large round pannier," placed one on each side of a camel, for a person, especially women, to ride in. It is a hamper, like a cradle, having a back, head, and sides, like a great chair. Moryson describes them as "two long chairs like cradles, covered with red cloth, to hang on the two sides of the camel." Hanway calls them {kedgavays,} which "are a kind of covered chairs, which the Persians hang over their camels in the manner of {panniers,} and are big enough for one person to sit in." Thevenot, who calls then {counes,} says that they lay over them a cover, which keeps then both from the rain and sun; and Maillet describes them as covered cages, hanging on each side of a camel. The late Editor of Calmet has furnished a correct delineation of these cars, as seen on one side of a camel, copied from Dalton's Prints of Egyptian Figures.
searched <04959> [searched. Heb. felt.]
lord <0113> [my lord.]
stand up <06965> [rise up.]
having <01870> [custom.]
angry <02734> [was wroth.]
Set <07760 03541> [set it here.]
twenty <06242> [twenty.]
ewes <07353> [ewes.]
rams <0352> [the rams.]
torn ....... brought <02966 0935> [torn of.]
<02398> [I bare.]
absorbed ...... always made me pay ... every missing ..... was taken .... or <01589> [or stolen.]
fourteen <0702> [fourteen.]
ten times <06235 04489> [ten times.]
If <03884> [Except.]
fears <06343> [fear.]
saw <07200> [hath seen.]
<03772> [let us.]
proof <05707> [a witness.]
God can put a bridle into the mouth of wicked man to restrain their malice; and then, though they have no love for his people, they will pretend to it, and try to make a merit of necessity. Scott.
relatives <0251> [brethren.]
Gather <03950> [Gather.]
pile ....... pile <01530> [an heap.]
The word {gal,} rendered "heap," properly signifies a round heap or circle; probably like the Druidical remains in this country, which have been traced in India, Persia, Western Asia, Greece, and Northern Europe. These usually consist of irregular circles of large stones, with a principal one in the midst; the former probably being used for seats, and the latter for an altar; corresponding to the stone set up as a pillar by Jacob, and the heap of stones collected by his brethren. They appear to have been used, as Gilgal undoubtedly was, (Jos 4:5; Jud 2:1; 3:19; ch. 20. 1 Sa 7:16; 10:8, 17; 11:15; 13:7; 15:33. 2 Sa 19:15, 40. 2 Ki 2:1.) as temples, and as places for holding councils, and assembling the people. For a satisfactory elucidation of this subject, consult the Fragments to Calmet, Nos. 156, 735, 736.
Jegar Sahadutha <03026> [Jegar-sahadutha. i.e., the heap of witness. Chald. Galeed. i.e., the heap of witness. Heb.]
pile <01530> [This heap.]
Galeed <01567> [Galeed. or, Gilead.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpah. i.e., a beacon, or watch-tower.]
[Mizpeh.]
mistreat <06031> [afflict.]
God <0430> [God.]
set <03384> [I have cast.]
For {yarithi,} "I have set up," we may read yaritha, "Thou hast set up," with one Heb. and one Sam. MS: see ver. 45.
God ... Abraham .... god ..... gods <085 0430> [God of Abraham.]
father .............. father <01> [their father.]
For {avihem,} "Their father," several MSS. read avichem, "Your father," for Terah was an idolater: see Jos 24:2.
judge <08199> [judge.]
oath <07650> [sware.]
feared <06343> [fear.]
offered ... sacrifice <02076 02077> [offered sacrifice. or, killed beasts. did eat.]
kissed <05401> [and kissed.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
returned <07725> [returned.]
angels <04397> [angels.]
God <0430> [God's.]
named <08034> [the name.]
[Mahanain. i.e., two hosts, or camps.]
Mahanaim was situated between Gilead and the river Jabbok, near the present Djezan.
sent <07971> [sent.]
land <0776> [land.]
The land, or mountains, of Seir was situated south and east of the Dead Sea; forming a continuation of the eastern Syrian chain of mountains, beginning with Antilibanus, and extending from thence to the eastern gulf of the Red Sea.
Seir <08165> [Seir.]
region <07704> [country. Heb. field. Edom.]
lord <0113> [my lord.]
servant <05650> [servant.]
oxen <07794> [have oxen.]
find <04672> [may find.]
hundred <03967> [and four.]
very <03966> [greatly.]
upset <03334> [distressed.]
divided <02673> [and he.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
God ...... God <0430> [O God.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
not worthy ..... faithful love <06994 02617> [not worthy of the least of all. Heb. less than all.]
faithful love <02617> [mercies.]
faithful <0571> [truth.]
walking stick <04731> [my staff.]
two camps <04264 08147> [two bands.]
Rescue <05337> [Deliver.]
mothers <0517> [the mother.]
<05921> [with. Heb. upon.]
said <0559> [thou.]
prosper <03190> [I will.]
sent <0935> [which.]
sent <03027> [to his hand.]
Or, "under his hand" or power; i.e., what Providence had put in his power or possession.
gift <04503> [a present.]
This was a princely present. The "thirty milch camels" were particularly valuable; for among the Arabs they constitute a principal part of their riches; being every way so serviceable, that the providence of God appears peculiarly kind and wise in providing such animals for those countries, where no other animal could be of equal service. The she-camel gives milk continually, not ceasing even when with young; the milk of which, when mixed with three parts of water, affords the most pleasant and wholesome beverage.
distance <07305> [space.]
<03212> [Whose art.]
appease ... by <03722> [I will appease.]
accept <05375> [peradventure.]
ahead <06440> [of me. Heb. my face.]
two wives ... two <08147 0802> [his two wives.]
ford .... Jabbok <04569 02999> [the ford Jabbok.]
Or, "the ford of Jabbok," a stream which takes its rise in the mountains of Gilead, and falls into the Jordan to the south of the lake of Gennesareth. It is now called the Zerka.
across <05674> [sent them. Heb. caused to pass.]
wrestled <079> [wrestled.]
<0376> [man.]
daybreak <07837 05927> [breaking of the day. Heb. ascending of the morning.]
could <03201> [that he.]
struck <05060> [touched.]
Let me ........... let <07971> [Let me go.]
Let me ........... let <07971> [I will not.]
bless <01288> [thou bless.]
name <08034> [Thy name.]
Israel <03478> [Israel. i.e., a prince of God. as a prince.]
Or, according to the LXX., Vulgate, Houbigant, Dathe, and Rosenmuller, "because thou hast power with God, thou shalt also prevail with men." There is a beautiful antithesis between the two terms, with [Elohim,] {Elohim,} god, the Almighty, with [anashim,] {anashim,} weak, feeble men, as the word imports; seeing thou hast had power with the Almighty, surely thou shalt prevail over perishing mortals.
fought <08280> [power.]
<0582> [with men.]
man <02088> [Wherefore.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
[Penuel.]
Peniel <06439> [Peniel. i.e., the face of God.]
Peniel, or Penuel, was evidently situated near the ford of Jabbok, on the north of that stream, about forty miles from Jerusalem.
seen <07200> [I have.]
rose ............ limping <02224 06760> [rose upon.]
limping <06760> [he halted.]
eat ... sinew ...................... sinew <0398 01517> [eat not.]
Esau ... coming <0935 06215> [Esau came.]
divided <02673> [And he.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
himself went <05674> [passed.]
bowed <07812> [bowed.]
seven times <07651 06471> [seven times.]
embraced <02263> [embraced.]
hugged ... neck <05307 06677> [fell on.]
asked ......... replied <0559> [with. Heb. to. children.]
[What meanest thou by all this drove? Heb. What is all this band to thee?]
find <04672> [to find.]
have plenty <07227 03426> [have enough.]
brother <0251> [my brother.]
[keep that thou hast unto thyself. Heb. be that to thee that is thine.]
found <04672> [if now.]
accept <03947> [receive.]
To accept a present from an inferior was a customary pledge of friendship; but returning it implied disaffection. It was on this ground that Jacob was so urgent with Esau to receive his present.
seen ............... seen <07200> [I have seen.]
present <01293> [my blessing.]
all <03605> [and because.]
all <03605> [enough. Heb. all things.]
take ........................ urged .... took <06484 03947> [urged him.]
children <03206> [the children.]
pace <07272> [according as, etc.]
Heb. according to the foot of the work, etc.; and according to the foot of the children.
pace <07272> [be able.]
Seir <08165> [unto Seir.]
leave <03322> [leave. Heb. set, or place.]
What needeth it? Heb. Wherefore is this?
kind <02580 04672> [find grace.]
Succoth ..................... Succoth <05523> [Succoth.]
[not.]
Succoth ..................... Succoth <05523> [Succoth. i.e., Booths.]
Succoth was on the east of Jordan, between the brook Jabbok and that river, about 40 miles from Jerusalem, and consequently near Penuel; where a city was afterwards built, which Joshua assigned to the tribe of Gad. Jerome says, that Succoth was in the district of Scythopolis; and the Jews inform us, that the name of Darala was sometime after applied to it.
<08004> [Shalem.]
The word {Shalem,} in the Samaritan {Shalom,} should probably be rendered "in peace," or "in safety;" as it is translated by the Chaldee, Arabic, Coverdale, and Matthewes.
city ... Shechem ............ city <05892 07927> [a city of Shechem.]
Or, rather, "the city Shechem," which was situated in a narrow valley, abounding with springs, between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, having the former on the north, and the latter on the south; 10 miles from Shiloh, and 34 from Jerusalem. It became the capital of Samaria, after the ruin of the city of that name.
[Sychar.]
[Sychem. Padan-aram.]
purchased <07069> [bought.]
Hamor <02544> [Hamor.]
[Emmor. pieces of money. or, lambs.]
altar <04196> [altar.]
[El-elohe-Israel. i.e., God, the God of Israel.]
[A.M. 2272. B.C. 1732.]
Dinah <01783> [Dinah.]
daughter ............ women <01323> [the daughters.]
<07927> [Shechem.]
When ............... grabbed <07200 03947> [saw her.]
grabbed ........ sexually <03947 07901> [took her.]
her ........... assaulted <06031> [defiled her. Heb. humbled her.]
attached <05315> [soul.]
young woman .... romantically <05291 03820> [kindly unto the damsel. Heb. to the heart of the damsel.]
sons <01121> [now his.]
silent <02790> [held.]
offended ... very <06087 03966> [were.]
sexually assaulting .......... committed <06213> [wrought.]
sexually assaulting .......... committed <06213> [thing.]
<05315> [The soul.]
land <0776> [and the land.]
make ........... very <07235 03966> [Ask me.]
On the practice of purchasing wives, De La Roque says, "Properly speaking, a young man who would marry must purchase his wife; and fathers among the Arabs are never so happy as when they have many daughters. They form part of the riches of the house. Accordingly, when a young man would treat with a person whose daughter he is inclined to marry, he says to him, 'Will you give me your daughter for fifty sheep, for six camels, or for a dozen cows?' according to the rank of her family, and the circumstances of him who desires to marry her."
bride price <04119> [dowry.]
deceitfully <04820> [deceitfully.]
not circumcised <06190> [uncircumcised.]
wanted <02654> [because.]
important than <03513> [honourable.]
gate <08179> [the gate.]
agreed <08085> [hearkened.]
In thus falling into this measure, the Shechemites must either have had great affection for their chief and his son, or have been under the influence of the most passive obedience. The petty princes of Asia have always been absolute and despotic; their subjects paying them the most prompt and blind obedience. The following instance will sufficiently illustrate and confirm this statement: Abu Thaher, chief of the Carmathians, about the year 930, with only 500 horse, went to lay siege to Bagdad: the khalif's general marched out to seize him; but before the attack, sent an officer to summon him to surrender. "How many men has the khalif's general?" said Abu Thaher; "30,000," replied the officer. "Among them all," says the Carmathian chief, "has he got three like mine?" Then ordering his followers to approach, he commanded one to stab himself, another to throw himself from a precipice, and a third to plunge into the Tigris: all three instantly obeyed, and perished! Then turning to the officer, he said, "He who has such troops need not value the number of his enemies!"
assembled ................ assembled <03318> [went out.]
male <02145> [every male.]
pain <03510> [sore.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
slaughtered <02026> [slew.]
<06310> [edge. Heb. mouth.]
looted <0962> [spoiled.]
violated <02930> [they.]
[See on]
brought ruin <05916> [Ye have.]
foul odor <0887> [to stink.]
few <04962> [and I being.]
destroyed <08045> [and I shall.]
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el.]
fled <01272> [when thou.]
household <01004> [unto his.]
foreign <05236> [strange.]
Purify <02891> [clean.]
responded <06030> [who answered.]
wherever <01870> [was with.]
rings <05141> [ear-rings.]
These rings were not worn as mere ornaments, but for superstitious purposes; perhaps as amulets or charms, first consecrated to some false god, or formed under some constellation, and stamped with magical characters. Maimonides mentions rings and jewels of this kind, with the image of the sun, moon, etc., impressed upon them; and Augustine describes them (Epist. 73,) as used for this execrable purpose.
buried ..... oak <02934 0424> [hid them.]
oak <0424> [the oak.]
Luz <03870> [Luz.]
built <01129> [built.]
<0416> [El-beth-el. i.e., the god of Beth-el.]
Rebekah's <07259> [Rebekah's.]
oak <0437> [under an oak.]
Oak of Weeping <0439> [Allon-bachuth. i.e., the oak of weeping.]
sovereign God <07706 0410> [God Almighty.]
nation ...... nations <01471> [a nation.]
land ..................... land <0776> [the land.]
gave ........ give ...... descendants I will ... give <05414 02233> [to.]
Bethel <01008> [Bethel.]
some distance away ... went <03530 0776 0935> [a little way to come. Heb. a little piece of ground.]
Ephrath <0672> [Ephrath.]
labor .... labor ... hard <03205 07185> [hard labour.]
afraid ....... son <03372 01121> [Fear not.]
<05315> [A.M. cir. 2275. B.C. cir. 1729. her soul.]
Ben-Oni <01126> [Ben-oni. i.e., the son of my sorrow.]
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin. i.e., the son of my right hand.]
The Samaritan has {ben yamim,} "the son of days," i.e., of his old age, (ch. 44:20,) which Jerome renders Benjamin, {id est, filius dextrae, Benjamin,} that is, "the son of the right hand."
Rachel died <04191 07354> [Rachel died.]
Ephrath <0672> [Ephrath.]
Marker <04678> [the pillar.]
<04026> [tower.]
sexual .... Bilhah <07901 01090> [lay with.]
sons <01121> [Now the sons.]
In the Hebrew text, a break is here left in the verse, opposite to which there is a Masoretic note, which states that "there is a hiatus in the verse." This hiatus the LXX., thus supplies: [kai <\\See definition 2532\\> poneros <\\See definition 4190\\> ephane enantion <\\See definition 1726\\> autou <\\See definition 848\\>,] "and it appeared evil in his sight."
sons ............. sons <01121> [And the sons.]
Paddan Aram <06307> [in Padan-aram. Except Benjamin.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
Mamre <04471> [Mamre.]
Isaac <03327> [A.M. 2288. B.C. 1716. Isaac.]
sons <01121> [his sons.]
[A.M. 2208. B.C. 1796.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
Adah <05711> [Adah. or, Bashemath.]
Oholibamah <0173> [Aholibamah.]
[Judith. the daughter.]
We ought, most probably, to read here and in ver. 14, as in ver. 20, "the son of Zibeon;" which is the reading of the Samaritan, Septuagint, (and Syriac, in ver. 2,) and which Houbigant and Kennicott contend to be genuine.
[Mahalath.]
Adah <05711> [Adah.]
Eliphaz <0464> [Eliphaz.]
Reuel <07467> [Reuel. not.]
land <0776> [in the land.]
people <05315> [A.M. cir. 2264. B.C. cir. 1740. persons. Heb. souls.]
<03212> [went.]
possessions <07399> [their riches.]
land <0776> [the land.]
hill country ... Seir <08165 02022> [mount Seir.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
Edomites <0123> [the Edomites. Heb. Edom.]
[A.M. cir. 2230. B.C. cir. 1774.]
Zepho <06825> [A.M. cir. 2270. B.C. cir. 1734. Zepho.]
[Zephi.]
Timna <08555> [Timna.]
Amalek <06002> [Amalek.]
[A.M. cir. 2292. B.C. cir. 1712.]
[First aristocracy of dukes, from A.M. cir. 2429, to A.M. cir.]
2471; from B.C. cir. 1575, to B.C. cir. 1533.
chiefs ............. chief ... chief ... chief ... chief <0441> [dukes.]
The word duke is from the Latin {dux,} a captain or leader, from {duco,} to lead, guide; which is the exact import of the Hebrew [alluph <\\See definition 0441\\,>] {alluph,} from [aleph, lamed, pheh,] to lead, guide; and is here applied to heads of families, chieftains, or princes, who were military leaders.
Eliphaz <0464> [Eliphaz.]
chiefs ............. chief Teman chief ... chief ... chief <0441 08487> [duke Teman.]
chief Korah chief ... chief ...... chiefs <0441 07141> [Duke Korah.]
As it is certain from ver. 4, that Eliphaz was Esau's son by Adah, and from ver. 11, 12, that Eliphaz had but six sons, "Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and Amalek;" as is is also certain, from ver. 5, 14, that Korah was the son of Esau (not Eliphaz) by Aholibamah; and as the words duke Korah are omitted by both the Samaritan Text and Version, Dr. Kennicott pronounces them to be an interpolation.
chief ... chief ... chief ...... chiefs <0441> [dukes.]
Reuel ................ Reuel <07467> [Reuel.]
Edom <0123> [who is Edom.]
[A.M. cir. 2198. B.C. cir. 1806.]
[A.M. cir. 2204. B.C. cir. 1800.]
Homam <01967> [A.M. cir. 2248. B.C. 1756. Hemam.]
[Homan.]
Timna <08555> [Timna.]
Alvan <05935> [Alvan.]
[Alian.]
Shepho <08195> [Shepho. or, Shephi.]
discovered <04672> [found.]
Dishon <01787> [Dishon.]
Anah ........ Anah <06034> [Anah.]
Hemdan <02533> [Hemdan.]
[Amram.]
Ezer <0687> [Ezer.]
Akan <06130> [Akan.]
[Jakan.]
Uz <05780> [Uz.]
Horites <02752> [Horites.]
chiefs ..... chief Lotan chief ... chief ... chief <0441 03877> [duke Lotan.]
[From A.M. cir. 2093, to A.M. cir. 2429; from B.C. cir. 1911, to B.C. cir. 1575. dukes in the.]
kings ........... king <04428> [the kings.]
reigned ....... before .... ruled <06440 04427> [before there.]
Moses may here allude to the promise which God made to Jacob (ch. 35:11,) that kings should proceed from him; and here states that these kings reigned before that prophecy began to be fulfilled.
Bozrah <01224> [A.M. cir. 2135. B.C. cir. 1869. Bozrah.]
Bozrah, Bezer, or Bostra, was situated in Arabia Deserta, and the eastern part of Edom; and, according to Eusebius, was 24 miles from Edrei. It afterwards belonged to Moab, and was given by Moses to Reuben, but again reverted to Edom. It is now called Boszra; and is described by Burckhardt as the largest town in the Haouran, including its ruins, though only inhabited by about twelve or fifteen families. It is situated in the open plain, two hours distant from Aare, and is at present the last inhabited place in the south-east extremity of the Haouran. It is of an oval shape, it greatest length being from east to west; and its circumference three quarters of an hour.
Temanites <08489> [A.M. cir. 2177. B.C. cir. 1827. Temani.]
Eusebius places Teman, or Th‘man, which probably gave name to "the land of Temani," in Arabia Petr‘a, five miles from Petra, and says there was a Roman garrison there.
[A.M. cir. 2219. B.C. cir. 1785.]
[A.M. cir. 2261. B.C. cir. 1743.]
Rehoboth <07344> [A.M. cir. 2303. B.C. cir. 1701. Rehoboth.]
[A.M. cir. 2315. B.C. cir. 1659.]
Hadad <01924> [A.M. cir. 2387. B.C. cir. 1617. Hadar.]
[Hadad Pai.]
After his death was an aristocracy.
[Second aristocracy of dukes, from A.M. cir. 2471, B.C. cir.]
1533; to A.M. cir. 2513, B.C. cir. 1491. And these.
chiefs ............... chief ... chief ... chief <0441> [dukes.]
Alvah <05933> [Alvah. or, Aliah.]
chief ... chief ...... chiefs <0441> [the dukes.]
settlements ...... possessed <04186 0272> [their.]
father <01> [father.]
Edom .................. Edomites <0123> [the Edomites. Heb. Edom.]
[A.M. 2276. B.C. 1728.]
father ... stayed <01 04033> [wherein his father was a stranger. Heb. of his father's sojournings.]
account <08435> [the generations.]
{Toledoth,} the history, narrative, or account of the lives and actions of Jacob and his sons; for in this general sense the original must be taken, as in the whole ensuing history there is no genealogy of Jacob's family.
wives <0802> [wives.]
bad report <01681 07451> [evil report.]
loved <0157> [loved.]
sons ...... son <01121> [son.]
tunic <03801> [a coat.]
special <06446> [colours.]
{Kethoneth passim}, a coat made of stripes of different coloured cloth.
hated ...... able <08130 03201> [hated him.]
able ... speak .... kindly <01696 07965 03201> [and could not speak peaceably unto him.]
Or, rather, "and they could not speak peace to him," i.e., they would not accost him in a friendly manner: they would not even wish him well, in the eastern mode of salutation of, Peace be to thee! It is not an unusual thing for an Arab or Turk to hesitate to return the {salÆ’m}, if given by a Christian, or by one of whom he has not a favourable opinion; and this may always be considered as an act of hostility.
had <02492> [dreamed.]
hated <08130> [and they.]
Listen <08085> [Hear.]
sheaves ............ sheaf ......... sheaves .... sheaf <0485> [your sheaves.]
bowed down <07812> [obeisance.]
think .... rule over us or ... dominion <04427 04910> [reign over us.]
another dream .............. dream <02472 0312> [another dream.]
sun <08121> [the sun.]
stars <03556> [stars.]
mother <0517> [Shall I.]
jealous <07065> [envied.]
kept <08104> [observed.]
Shechem <07927> [in Shechem.]
<03212> [come.]
[Here am I.]
check .... welfare <07965 07200> [see whether it be well with. Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, etc.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
wandering <08582> [he was.]
looking <01245> [What.]
looking <01245> [seek.]
tell ... where <05046 0375> [tell me.]
Dothan ............ Dothan <01886> [Dothan.]
plotted <05230> [conspired.]
this <01976> [Behold.]
Simulated Irony: Where the words in question are used by man either in dissimulation or hypocrisy. For other instances of this figure see 2 Sa 6:20; Ps 22:8; Isa 5:19; Mt 22:16; 27:29; 27:40, 42, 43; Mk 15:29.
master <01167> [dreamer. Heb. master of dreams.]
kill <02026> [and let.]
say .......... see <0559 07200> [and we.]
Reuben heard <08085 07205> [Reuben heard.]
Let's <05221> [not kill him. Heb. {nephesh.}]
Reuben ......................... said <0559 07205> [Reuben said.]
shed <08210> [Shed.]
lay ..... him <07971> [lay.]
stripped <06584> [stript.]
special <06446> [colours. or, pieces.]
threw <07993> [and cast.]
cistern .... cistern <0953> [the pit.]
sat <03427> [they sat.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [Ishmeelites.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
spices <05219> [spicery.]
{Nechoth,} is rendered by the LXX. "incense;" Syriac, "resin;" Samaritan, "balsam;" Acquila, "storax;" which is followed by Bochart. This drug is abundant in Syria, and here Moses joins with it resin, honey, and myrrh; which agrees with the nature of the storax, which is the resin of a tree of the same name, of a reddish colour, and peculiarly pleasant fragrance.
balm <06875> [balm]
{Tzeri,} which in Arabic, as a verb, is to flow, seems to be a common name, as balm or balsam with us, for many of those oily, resinous substances, which flow spontaneously, or by incision, from various trees or plants; accordingly the ancients have generally interpreted it resin.
myrrh <03910> [myrrh.]
{Lot,} is probably, as Junius, De Dieu, Celsius, and Ursinus contend, the same as the Arabic {ladan}, Greek [ladanon,] and Latin {ladanum}.
profit <01215> [What profit.]
cover <03680> [conceal.]
sell ..... Ishmaelites <04376 03459> [sell him.]
hand <03027> [let not.]
brother ...... brothers <0251> [he is our.]
agreed <08085> [were content. Heb. hearkened.]
Midianite <04084> [Midianites.]
sold <04376> [sold.]
tore <07167> [he rent.]
son's <01121> [thy son's.]
wild animal <02416 07451> [evil beast.]
daughters <01323> [his daughters.]
go <06965> [rose up.]
go ......... Joseph's <03381> [For I.]
<04092> [the Midianites.]
officials <05631> [officer. Heb. eunuch.]
But the word signifies not only eunuchs, but also chamberlains, courtiers, and officers.
captain <08269> [captain. Or, chief marshal. Heb. chief of the slaughtermen, or executioners.]
[A.M. 2265. B.C. 1739.]
time <06256> [it came.]
As there cannot be above 23 years from the selling of Joseph, unto Israel's going down into Egypt; and as it is impossible that Judah should take a wife, and by her have three sons successively, and Shelah, the youngest, marriageable when Judah begat Pharez of Tamar, and Pharez be grown up, married, and have two sons, all within so short a period; Mr. Ainsworth conceives that the time here spoken of is soon after Jacob's coming to Shechem, (ch. 33.) We have accordingly adapted the chronology to correspond with that time.
stayed <05186> [turned.]
Adullamite <05726> [Adullamite.]
An inhabitant of Adullam, a city of Canaan, afterwards given to Judah, situated in the southern part of that tribe, west of Hebron.
saw <07200> [saw.]
Shua <07770> [Shuah.]
[Shua.]
acquired <03947> [took.]
Er <06147> [A.M. 2266. B.C. 1738. Er.]
Onan <0209> [A.M. 2267. B.C. 1737. Onan.]
[A.M. 2268. B.C. 1736.]
Shelah <07956> [Shelah.]
Kezib <03580> [Chezib.]
Chezib is said, by Eusebius and Jerome, to have been situated near Adullam, and to be then uninhabited.
acquired <03947> [took.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
Er <06147> [Er.]
evil <07451> [wicked.]
Lord's ..... Lord <03068> [and the.]
[A.M. 2282. B.C. 1722.]
[he is.]
not ... give <01115 05414> [lest that.]
<03415> [displeased. Heb. was evil in the eyes of.]
[him also.]
Shelah <07956> [till Shelah.]
father's ............................ father's <01> [in her.]
time Judah's <03117 07235> [in process of time. Heb. the days were multiplied. comforted.]
sheepshearers <01494> [sheep shearers.]
Timnah <08553> [Timnath.]
Timnath is, in all probability, that in the border of Judah, between Jerusalem and Diospolis, given to Dan, and mentioned in the history of Samson as belonging to the Philistines.
[Timnah.]
[Thimnathah.]
sat <03427> [and sat.]
entrance ... Enaim <05869 06607> [an open place. Heb. the door of eyes, or of Enajim}]
Some think {ainayim} means "the two fountains," or "double fountain;" while others regard it as a proper name, and the same as Enaim, a city of Judah, (Jos 15:34.) So the LXX. render it Enan.
Timnah <08553> [Timnath.]
Shelah <07956> [that Shelah.]
Come on <03051> [Go to.]
give <05414> [What wilt.]
send ................... send <07971> [I will.]
goat <05795> [a kid. Heb. a kid of the goats. Wilt thou.]
seal <02368> [Thy signet.]
{Chothem,} or {chothemeth,} as in ver. 25, is properly a ring-seal, with which impressions were made to ascertain property, etc. From Jer 22:24, we find that it was worn on the hand; though it might also have been suspended from the neck by a ribband, as the Arabs still wear it.
cord <06616> [bracelets.]
{Pathil,} from {pathal,} to twist, wreathe, may denote either a wreath for the arm or neck, a twisted collar, or bracelet. In the former sense the LXX. render it by [ormiskon,] and Aquila and Symmachus by [strepton;] and in the latter sense, the Vulgate renders it by {armillam.} It may have been a collar by which the signet was suspended; though its being used in the plural seems to favour the opinion of its being a bracelet.
give .................. gave ...... had sex <05414 0935> [gave it her.]
removed ... veil <06809 05493> [laid by her vail.]
friend <07453> [his friend.]
road <01870 05869> [openly by the way side. or, in Enajim.]
dishonest <0937> [lest we.]
dishonest <0937> [be shamed. Heb. become a contempt.]
prostitution <02181> [played the harlot.]
burned <08313> [let her.]
Identify <05234> [Discern.]
recognized <05234> [acknowledged.]
upright than ... am <06663> [She hath.]
upright than ... am <06663> [more righteous. Not less to blame, but more righteous. because.]
sexual relations <03045> [And he knew.]
broken out <06555> [A.M. 2283. B.C. 1721. How hast, etc. or, Wherefore hast thou made this breach against thee? his name.]
[Perez.]
[Phares. Pharez. i.e., a breach.]
Zerah <02226> [Zarah.]
[Zerah.]
[Zara.]
Joseph <03130> [A.M. 2276. B.C. 1728. Joseph.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [the Ishmeelites.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
household <01004> [house.]
observed .... Lord ........ Lord <07200 03068> [saw that.]
successful <06743> [prosper.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
appointed <06485> [overseer.]
Joseph's <03130> [for Joseph's.]
left <05800> [he left.]
except <0518> [save.]
well built ... good-looking <08389 03303> [a goodly person.]
{Yephaih toar, weephaih maraih,} "beautiful in person and beautiful in countenance." Joseph's beauty is so celebrated in the East, that a handsome man is frequently compared to him; and the Persian poets vie with each other in descriptions of his comeliness.
took <05375> [A.M. 2285. B.C. 1719. cast.]
sex <07901> [Lie.]
refused <03985> [refused.]
master's ..... master <0113> [my master.]
greater ............................ great <01419> [none.]
do <06213> [how then.]
sin <02398> [sin.]
speak <01696> [as she spake.]
[or to be.]
when <0376> [none of the men.]
grabbed <08610> [caught.]
left <05800> [and he left.]
brought ............ tried <0935> [he hath.]
The base affection of this woman being disappointed, was changed into rancorous hatred, and she exults in the opportunity of being revenged on Joseph. She begins her accusation in the affected language of offended modesty, rage, and disdain, by charging her husband, whom we may reasonably assume she did not greatly love, with being an accessory to the indignity she pretended to have received: "He hath brought in a Hebrew," a very abomination to an Egyptian, "to mock us," insult and treat me in a base, unworthy manner.
servants ............. man <0376> [an Hebrew.]
brought ............ tried <0935> [he came.]
loudly <01419> [loud. Heb. great.]
heard <08085> [heard.]
furious <0639> [his wrath.]
<01004> [into the prison.]
{Baith hassohar,} "the round house," from the form of the building according to some; or, "the watch or guard house," from the Arabic {sahara,} to watch, according to others.
king's <04428> [the king's.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
showed ... kindness <02617 05186> [shewed him mercy. Heb. extended kindness unto him. gave him.]
put <05414> [committed.]
warden <08269> [keeper.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [because.]
After <0310> [it came.]
<08248> [the butler.]
{Mashkeh,} from {shakah,} to give drink, is the same as {saky} among the Arabians and Persians, and signifies a cup-bearer.
enraged <07107> [wroth.]
cupbearer .... baker <08248 08269> [the chief of the butlers.]
facility <04725> [the place.]
Joseph ... confined <03130 0631> [where Joseph was bound.]
Or, "where Joseph was confined," for he doubtless had his personal liberty. This place, we learn from the preceding chapter, (ver. 20,) was the king's prison. All the officers in the employment of the ancient kings of Egypt, according to Diodorus Siculus, were taken from the most illustrious families of the priesthood in the country; no slave or common person being ever permitted to serve in the presence of the king. As these persons were of the most noble families, it is natural to expect they would be put, when accused, into the state prison.
captain <08269> [the captain.]
time <03117> [a season.]
{Yamim,} literally days; how long is uncertain, though the word may signify, as many suppose, a complete year (see Ge 4:3; 24:55); and as Pharaoh called them to an account on his birthday, (ver. 20,) Calmet supposes they had offended on the preceding birthday, and thus had been one whole year in prison.
[A.M. 2287. B.C. 1717.]
depressed <02196> [and, behold.]
<06440> [Wherefore.]
sad today <07451 03117 06440> [look ye so sadly to-day. Heb. are your faces evil.]
interpretations <06623> [Do not, etc.]
vine <01612> [a vine.]
took <03947> [And I took, etc.]
From this we find that wine anciently was the mere expressed juice of the grape, without fermentation. The {saky,} or cup-bearer, took the bunch, pressed the juice into the cup, and instantly delivered it to his master.
squeezed <07818> [pressed.]
hand .................. hand <03027 03709> [hand.]
meaning <06623> [This.]
three .... three <07969> [The three.]
three <07969> [within.]
Pharaoh .............. Pharaoh's <06547> [shall.]
reinstate <05375 07218> [lift up thine head. or, reckon.]
remember ...... well ......... mention <02142 03190> [think on me. Heb. remember me with thee. on me.]
show <06213> [shew.]
kidnapped <01589> [stolen.]
Hebrews <05680> [the Hebrews.]
done <06213> [done.]
chief <08269> [the chief.]
baskets ... white bread <02751 05536> [white baskets. or, baskets full of holes.]
goods <04639> [bake-meats. Heb. meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or cook.]
three <07969> [within.]
decapitate <05375 07218> [lift up thy head from off thee. or, reckon thee and take thy office from thee. hang thee.]
birds <05775> [and the birds.]
third day <03117 07992> [third day.]
day <03117> [birthday.]
lifted <05375> [lifted up. or, reckoned.]
placed ... cup <03563 05414> [gave the cup.]
impaled <08518> [he hanged.]
forgot <07911> [but forgat him.]
years <08141 03117> [A.M. 2289. B.C. 1715. two full years.]
{Shenathayim yamim,} "two years of days," two complete solar revolutions; as a month of days is a full month.
Pharaoh <06547> [that Pharaoh.]
Nile <02975> [the river.]
coming up <05927> [there came.]
reeds <0260> [a meadow.]
Or, rather, "on, or among the reeds or sedges;" for so {achoo} is generally supposed to denote (see Job 8:11); so called, according to Mr. Parkhurst, from its fitness for making ropes, or the like, to connect or join things together, from {achah,} to join, connect: thus the Latin {juncus,} a bulrush, {a jungendo,} from joining, for the same reason. He supposes it to be that sort of reed growing near the Nile which Hasselquist describes as "having scarce any branches, but numerous leaves, which are narrow, smooth, channelled on the upper surface, and the plant about eleven feet high. The Egyptians make ropes of the leaves."
bad-looking <07451 04758> [ill favoured.]
Pharaoh woke up <06547 03364> [So Pharaoh awoke.]
seven heads of grain <07651 07641> [seven ears.]
A species of wheat, which grows in Egypt, bears, when perfect, seven ears on one stalk, as its natural conformation. It differs from ours in having a solid stem, or at least a stem full of pith, in order to yield sufficient nourishment and support to so great a weight as the ears which it bears.
healthy <01277> [rank. Heb. fat.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
<07307> [his spirit.]
diviner-priests ... Egypt <04714 02748> [the magicians of Egypt.]
The word here used (chartummim) may mean no more than interpreters of abstruse or difficult subjects; especially of dreams and visions, which formed a considerable part of the ancient pagan religion; and the Egyptian priests were the first who professed this art. The word may be of affinity with, or derived from, the Persian {chiradmand,} wise, learned, judicious, intelligent, from {chirad,} understanding, judgment, and {mand,} endowed with. They seem to have been such persons as Josephus calls sacred scribes; or professors of sacred learning.
wise <02450> [the wise men.]
interpret <06622> [but there.]
recall <02142> [I do remember.]
Pharaoh <06547> [Pharaoh.]
captain ........ chief <08269> [captain.]
servant <05650> [servant.]
interpreted <06622> [interpreted.]
restored <07725> [me he restored.]
Then <07971> [sent.]
quickly <07323> [and they brought him hastily. Heb. made him run.]
shaved <01548> [he shaved.]
heard <08085> [I have heard.]
dream ......... interpret ...... heard ....... interpret dreams <02472 06622 08085> [that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. or, when thou hearest a dream, thou canst interpret it.]
not within <01107> [It is not.]
welfare <07965> [peace.]
eaten ........... done <0935> [eaten them up. Heb. come to the inward parts of them.]
bad-looking <04758> [still.]
withered <06798> [withered. or, small. thin.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
All the mischief done to corn or fruit by blasting, smutting, mildew, etc. are attributed to the east wind. (See Parallel Passages.) In Egypt it is peculiarly destructive, because it comes through the parched deserts of Arabia, often destroying vast numbers of people. The destructive nature of the {Sam, Simoom, Smoom,} or {Samiel,} is mentioned by almost all travellers. When this pestilential wind advances, its approach is indicated by a redness in the air. The principal stream of the blast always moves in a line of about 20 yards in breadth, and 12 feet above the surface of the earth; but its parching influence pervades all places to a considerable distance. The only means of preservation from its noxious influence is to lie flat, with the face upon the ground, till the blast be over. Camels and other animals instinctively perceive its approach, and bury their mouths and nostrils in the ground. It rarely last more than seven or eight minutes, but so poisonous are its effects, that it instantly suffocates those who are unfortunate enough to inhale it.
told ...... diviner-priests <0559 02748> [I told this.]
God <0430> [God.]
seven ..... seven ..... seven ....... seven <07651> [are. or, signify.]
seven good .... seven ..... seven good heads of grain ... seven <02896 07651 07641> [good ears are seven.]
dreams .... same <02472 0259> [the dream is one.]
seven ........... seven years ..... seven ............. seven years ... famine <08141 07458 07651> [seven years of famine.]
God <0430> [What God.]
seven years <07651 08141> [seven years.]
forgotten <07911> [shall be.]
devastate <03615> [consume.]
abundance <07647> [the plenty.]
It is well known, that in Egypt there is scarcely any rain, the country depending for its fertility upon the overflowing of the Nile; and that the fertility is in proportion to the duration and quality of the overflow, in order to saturate the land and prepare for the seed. Pliny has given a scale, by which the plenty or dearth may ascertained; which may be considered as perfectly correct. The ordinary height of the inundations is 16 cubits. When the waters are lower than this standard, they do not overflow the whole ground; when above this standard they are too long in running off. In the first case, the ground is not saturated; by the second, the waters are detained so long on the ground that seed-time is lost. The province marks both. If it rise only 12 cubits, a famine is the consequence; at 13 hunger prevails; 14 produces general rejoicing; 15 perfect security; and 16 all the luxuries of life.
severe <03515> [grievous. Heb. heavy.]
repeated <08138> [doubled.]
matter <01697> [it is because.]
decreed <05973 03559> [established by. or, prepared of.]
Pharaoh <06547> [therefore.]
look <07200> [look out.]
officials <06496> [officers. or, overseers.]
one-fifth of the produce <02567> [and take.]
gather <06908> [gather.]
authority <03027> [hand.]
land ............... land ........ land <0776> [that the.]
famine .................. famine <03772 07458> [perish not. Heb. be not cut off.]
<01697> [the thing.]
sense <03190> [good.]
whom <0834> [in whom.]
will <01961> [Thou shalt.]
oversee <05401> [be ruled. Heb. be armed, or kiss.]
signet ring <02885> [his ring.]
fine linen <08336> [fine linen. or, silk.]
gold chain <02091 07242> [a gold chain.]
cried out <07121> [and they.]
Kneel <086> [Bow the knee. or, Tender father.]
[Heb. Abrech.]
land <0776> [ruler.]
move ... hand <07311 03027> [lift up his hand.]
Zaphenath-Paneah <06847> [Zaphnath-paaneah.]
Which in Coptic signifies a revealer of secrets, or, the man to whom secrets are revealed. Jerome says this name signified in Egyptian, {Savatorem mundi,} "the Saviour of the world;" and {Psotem-phaneh,} in Coptic, is certainly "salvation of the world," from [SOT,] for [soteria <\\See definition 4991\\>,] salvation, {em,} the sign of the genitive case, and [PHENEH], world. If this interpretation be correct, Pharaoh must have meant Egypt by the world, or which Joseph might be justly termed the Saviour. We know that the Romans called their empire {Universis Orbis-Orbis Terrarum,} "all the world:" the Chinese say the same of their empire at the present day, and the phrase is used in the East: Nadir Shah is described on his coins as "Conqueror of the World," i.e., Persia. See the same phraseology applied to Syria, Palestine, etc.
priest ... On <03548 0204> [priest of. or, prince.]
On <0204> [On.]
[Aven.]
years <08141> [years.]
when .... serving <05975> [he stood.]
[From A.M. 2289, B.C. 1715, to A.M. 2296, B.C. 1708. handfuls.]
Joseph <03130> [unto Joseph.]
Asenath <0621> [Asenath.]
priest <03548> [priest. or, prince.]
<07121> [called. A.M. 2292. B.C. 1712.]
Manasseh <04519> [Manasseh. i.e., Forgetting.]
forget <05382> [forget.]
child Ephraim <07121 0669> [A.M. 2293. B.C. 1711. called he.]
Ephraim <0669> [Ephraim. i.e., Fruitful.]
land <0776> [the land.]
[A.M. 2296. B.C. 1708.]
seven <07651> [the seven.]
Joseph <03130> [according.]
famine .......... famine <07458> [and the dearth.]
experienced <07456> [famished.]
Joseph <03212 03130> [Go unto.]
<06440> [the face.]
sold <07666> [all the storehouses. Heb. all wherein was. sold.]
country ................. earth <0776> [all countries.]
country ................. earth <0776> [in all lands.]
Jacob ........ he <03290> [when Jacob.]
heard ............... looking <07200> [saw. i.e, heard, from the report of others, that there was plenty in Egypt.]
The operations of one sense are frequently put for those of another in Hebrew; (see the Parallel Passages.)
heard ............... looking <07200> [Why do ye.]
down <03381> [get you.]
live <02421> [that we.]
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
if <06435> [Lest.]
famine <07458> [for.]
ruler <07989> [governor.]
{Shallit,} an intendant, protector, ruler, from {shalat,} to be over or a protector, to rule: hence the Arabic {salita,} to obtain and exercise dominion, rule; and {sultÆ’n,} ruler, lord, prince, and king.
sold <07666> [he it was.]
bowed down <07812> [bowed.]
harshly ... asked ........ answered <07186 0559> [roughly unto them. Heb. hard things with them.]
recognized ........ recognize <05234> [but they knew.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
spies <07270> [Ye are spies.]
Persons who, under the pretence of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which you belong may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle themselves in it; or, having plundered it, retire into their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to the present day.
vulnerable <06172> [nakedness.]
honest <03651> [We are, etc.]
We do not belong to different tribes; and it is not likely that one family would make a hostile attempt upon a whole kingdom; nor, if any serious design had been intended, that one man would have sent his sons on so hazardous an expedition.
honest .... servants <03651 05650> [true men.]
vulnerable <06172> [nakedness.]
servants <05650> [Thy servants.]
one .................. one <0259> [one is not.]
lives <02416> [By the life.]
youngest <06996> [except.]
prison <0631> [kept in prison. Heb. bound.]
imprisoned <0622> [put. Heb. gathered.]
imprisoned <04929> [ward.]
God <0430 03373> [I fear God.]
prison ............... families <01004> [house.]
take grain back <07668 0935> [carry corn.]
bring <0935> [bring.]
did <06213> [And they.]
said <0559> [they said.]
saw <07200> [we saw.]
distressed .................... distress <06869> [this distress.]
said ...... say <0559> [Spake I.]
blood <01818> [his blood.]
[he spake unto them by a interpreter. Heb. an interpreter was between them.]
The {mailitz} does not seem to have been an interpreter in our sense of the term; as we have many evidences in this book that the Egyptians, Hebrews, Canaanites, and Syrians, could understand each other in a general way; and it appears from several passages in this very chapter, (particularly ver. 24,) that Joseph and his brethren understood each others' language, as his brethren and Joseph's steward also did (ch. 43:19, etc; compare ch. 39; 49.) It seems to denote an officer who is called in Abyssinia, according to Mr. Bruce, {Kal Hatz‚,} "the voice or word of the king," who always stands at the side of a lattice window of a balcony, within which the king sits; who is never seen, but who speaks through a hole in the side of it, covered in the inside with a curtain, to this officer, by whom he speaks to the persons present.
wept <01058> [wept.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
orders <06680> [commanded.]
give ... provisions <05414 06720> [to give them.]
orders <03651> [and thus.]
resting place <04411> [the inn.]
resting place <04411> [inn.]
{Malon,} from {loon,} to stay, abide, lodge, denotes any place to stay and lodge in, particularly a place where travellers usually stop to lodge, which is generally near a well, where they fill their {girbehs,} or leathern bottles, with fresh water, and having unladen and clogged their camels, asses, etc., permit them to crop any little verdure there may be in the place, keeping watch over them by turns. Our word inn here gives us a false idea, there were no such places of entertainment in the desert which Joseph's brethren had to pass; nor are there any at the present day. The only accommodation such a place affords is either a well, or a {khan,} or {caravanserai,} which is generally no more than four bare walls, perfectly exposed, the place being open at the top, and furnishing a wretched lodging: and even these, it is probable, were not in use at this early period.
<03820> [their heart.]
dismayed .... trembling <03318 02729> [failed them. Heb. went forth.]
This refers to the spasmodic affection which is felt in the breast at any sudden alarm or fright.
God <0430> [What is.]
harshly ........... spying <07186 05414> [roughly to us. Heb. with us hard things.]
honest <03651> [true.]
twelve brothers <0251 06240> [twelve brethren.]
move about freely <05503> [traffick.]
each man's <0376> [every man's.]
childless <07921> [Me have ye.]
[all these things are against me.]
{Alay hayoo cullanah,} literally, "upon me are all these things:" rendered by the Vulgate, {in me h‘c omnia mala reciderunt,} "all these evils fall back upon me;" they lie upon me as heavy loads, hastening my death: they are more than I can bear.
two .... death <04191 08147> [Slay my.]
brother <0251> [his brother.]
accident <0611> [if mischief.]
go down ............................... bring down <03381> [bring.]
man <0376> [man.]
solemnly warned <05749> [did solemnly protest. Heb. protesting, protested.]
see ... face <06440 07200> [see my face.]
down <03381> [will not.]
questioned ... thoroughly <07592> [asked us straitly. Heb. asking asked us.]
way <06310> [tenor. Heb. mouth. could we certainly know. knowing could we know.]
boy ........ immediately <05288 06965> [lad with me.]
live <02421> [that we.]
little ones <02945> [also our.]
pledge <06148> [will be.]
hold <03027> [of my hand.]
twice <06471> [this second time. or, twice by this.]
then <0645> [If it must be.]
down <03381> [carry down.]
little balm .... little <04592 06875> [a little balm.]
balm <06875> [balm.]
For an explanation of the words {tzori, nechoth,} and {lot,} here rendered respectively balm, spices, and myrrh, see on ch. 37:25. {Devash,} honey, is supposed by some not to have been that produced by bees, but a syrup produced from ripe dates. The Jewish doctors observe, that the word in 2 Ch 31:5 signifies dates; and the Arabians, at this day, call the choicest dates preserved with butter, {dabous,} and the honey obtained from them, {dibs,} or {dabs.} {Benanim,} nuts signifies pistachio nuts, the finest thing found in Syria; but, according to the others, a small nut, the produce of a species of the turpentine tree. {Shekaidim} is certainly almonds.
honey <01706> [honey.]
spices <05219> [spices.]
double <04932> [double.]
mouths <06310> [mouth.]
God <0410> [And God.]
As .......... lose <0834 07921> [If I be, etc. or, and I, as I have been, etc.]
[See on ver.]
household ....... house <01004> [the ruler.]
Slaughter <02873> [slay. Heb. kill a killing.]
{Tevoch taivach,} "slay a slaying," or make a great slaughter: let preparations be made for a great feast or entertainment. See a similar form of speech in ch. 31:54. .# 1Sa 25:11 Pr 9:2
with ............................. eat with .... noon <0854 0398 06672> [dine with. Heb. eat.]
<0582> [the men.]
wants to capture <01556 05307> [seek occasion against us. Heb. Roll himself upon us.]
come down <03381> [we came indeed down. Heb. coming down we came down.]
came <0935> [we came.]
returned <07725> [we have.]
fine <07965> [Peace.]
money .... brought <0935 03701> [I had your money. Heb. Your money came to me.]
{Caspechem ba ailai,} "your money comes to me:" as I am the steward, the cash for the corn belongs to me. Ye have no occasion to be apprehensive of any evil; the whole transaction is between myself and you; receive therefore the money as a present from "the God of your father," no matter whose hands he employs to convey it.
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
bowed down <07812> [bowed.]
well <07965> [welfare. Heb. peace.]
father well <01 07965> [Is your father well. Heb. Is there peace to your father? the old.]
bowed <06915> [bowed.]
humility <07812> [made obeisance.]
mother's son ........................ son <01121 0517> [mother's son.]
said ......... told ...... said <0559> [of whom.]
God <0430> [God.]
son ........................ son <01121> [my son.]
affection <07356> [his bowels.]
tears ......... wept <01058> [wept there.]
composure <0662> [refrained.]
food <03899> [bread.]
eating .......... eat <03899 0398> [eat bread.]
disgusting <08441> [for that is an abomination.]
The Chaldee Paraphrast renders this clause, "Because the Hebrews eat the cattle which the Egyptians worship." But, as we learn from ver. 16, compared with this verse, that the provision for the entertainment of the Egyptians themselves was animal food, this reason cannot be just. The true reason seems to be that assigned by the LXX., [Bedlyma gar estin tois Aigyptiois pas poim‚n probaton:] "For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."
[44.12]
portions .......... portion .......... portions <04864> [messes.]
five times <02568 03027> [was five times.]
Sir John Chardin observes, that "in Persia, Arabia, and the Indies, there are some houses where they place several plates in large salvers, and set one of these before each person, or before two or three, according to the magnificence of each house. The great men of the state are always served by themselves, in the feasts that are made for them; and with great profusion, their part of each kind of provision being always double, treble, or a larger proportion of each kind of meat."
drunk <07937> [were merry. Heb. drank largely.]
household <01004> [the steward. Heb. him that was over his house.]
once <06965> [Up.]
repaid <07999> [Wherefore.]
divination <05172> [divineth. or, maketh trial.]
In the East, there is an ancient tradition, that there was a Cup which possessed the strange property of representing in it the whole world, and all the things which were then doing. The cup is called {Jami Jemsheed,} "the cup of Jemsheed," a very ancient king of Persia; and they say that it was discovered, filled with the elixir of immortality, when digging to lay the foundations of Persepolis. The Persian poets are full of allusions to this cup, which they style {Jem jehan nima,} the cup shewing the universe; and to it they ascribe all the prosperity of their ancient monarchs. Many of the Mahometan princes and governors affect still to have information by means of a cup. Now, though it cannot be admitted that Joseph practised divination, yet, according to the superstition of those times, supernatural influence might be attributed to HIS CUP.
money .......................... silver <03701> [the money.]
steal <01589> [how then.]
die <04191> [both.]
lord's <0113> [and we.]
<04672> [he with whom.]
began <02490> [began.]
cup <01375> [and the cup.]
threw <05307> [he was yet.]
threw <05307> [fell.]
think <04639> [What.]
know .... man <03045 0376> [wot ye not.]
find out things ..... divination <05172> [divine. or, make trial.]
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
replied ..... say <0559> [What shall we say.]
ourselves God ......................... found <0430 04672> [God hath.]
sin <05771> [iniquity.]
lord ....................... lord's <0113> [behold.]
Far be it <02486> [God forbid.]
slave <05650> [he shall.]
peace <07965> [in peace.]
lord ........... you <0994 0113> [Oh my Lord.]
"No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned: and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive."
servant ............... servant <05650> [let thy.]
angry <0639> [anger.]
Pharaoh <06547> [as Pharaoh.]
said <0559> [we said.]
Every word in this verse is simplicity and pathos itself. No man of the least sensibility can read it without great emotion. Indeed the whole speech is exquisitely beautiful, and perhaps the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language. When we read this generous speech, we forgive Judah all the past, and cannot refuse to say, "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise."
boy <03206> [a child.]
brother <0251> [and his brother.]
left <03498> [he alone.]
down <03381> [Bring.]
so ... can <07760> [that I may.]
die <04191> [his father would die.]
told .... words <05046 01697> [we told him.]
first <0259> [the one.]
torn ... pieces <02963> [Surely.]
take <03947> [And if.]
tragedy <07451> [sorrow.]
return <0935> [When I.]
life ........ life <05315> [his life]
sees <07200> [when he.]
servants ... bring down ....... servant <05650 03381> [servants shall.]
grave <07585> [grave.]
servant ...... slave <05650> [therefore.]
What must Benjamin have felt when he heard his brother conclude his speech by a proposal which could never have been thought of if it had not been actually made! Perhaps the annals of the whole world do not produce an instance of so heroic and disinterested affection in any mere man.
servant ...... slave <05650> [I pray thee.]
boy ..... boy <05288> [instead.]
see <07200> [lest.]
couldn't <04672> [come on. Heb. find.]
Matthew 7:13-14
through ......................... through <1223> [at.]
because <3754> [for.]
leads <520> [that.]
<3754> [because. or, How. narrow.]
and .......... and .... few <2532 3641> [and few.]
