Genesis 20:1--25:34
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.]
Ezekiel 25:9
flank <03802> [side. or, shoulder. Beth-jeshimoth.]
Baal Meon <01186> [Baal-meon.]
