Genesis 24:1-67
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.]
Genesis 2:1
heavens <08064> [Thus.]
that was in them <06635> [host.]
Genesis 8:20
built <01129> [builded.]
clean animal ... clean <0929 02889> [clean beast.]
burnt offerings <05930> [burnt.]
Nehemiah 7:46-73
temple servants <05411> [Nethinims.]
Hasupha <02817> [Hashupha.]
[Hasupha.]
Sia <05517> [Sia.]
[Siaha.]
Hagabah <02286> [Hagaba.]
[Hagabah, or Hagab.]
The Alexandrian MS. of the Septuagint inserts here, [uioi Akoud, uioi Outa, weoi Ketar, weoi Agab] "the children of Akoud, the children of Outa, the children of Ketar, the children of Agab," or Hagab: see the parallel passages.
Shalmai <08014> [Shalmai.]
In the parallel passage not only the Keri and Septuagint, but many of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. read Shalmai, as here. A more extensive collation of MSS. would doubtless tend still more to harmonize both the names and numbers.
[Shamlai.]
Paseah <06454> [Phaseah.]
This variation only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly Pas‰ah.
[Paseah.]
Meunim <04586> [Meunim.]
The first of these variations is attributable to the translation, the original being uniformly, [Me–wnŒy <\\See definition 04586\\>,] {Me–nim;} and the latter arises from the mutation of, [Vƒv,] {wav,} and, [Y“wd,] {yood,} and insertion of, [ShŒyn,] {sheen,} though in the parallel passage the Kethiv is [NephŒycŒym <\\See definition 05304\\>,] {Nephisim;} and here the Keri and many MSS. have [Neph–whsecŒym <\\See definition 05300\\>,] {Nephishesim.}
[Mehunim, Nephusim.]
Bazluth <01213> [Bazlith.]
Instead of Bazlith, many MSS. and the LXX. have Bazluth, as in the parallel place.
[Bazluth.]
Temah <08547> [Tamah.]
Here there is no variation in the original; it being uniformly Tamah.
[Thamah.]
Solomon <08010> [Solomon's.]
Perida <06514> [Perida.]
Three MSS. have Peruda, instead of Perida, as in Ezra.
[Peruda.]
Jaala <03279> [Jaala.]
The variation of [Yaalƒ <\\See definition 03279\\>,] {Jaalah,} and [Yaalƒh <\\See definition 03279\\>,} {Jaala,} merely arises from the mutation of [Hˆ,] {hay,} into ['Aleph,] {aleph,} according to the Chaldee dialect.
[Jaalah.]
Amon <0526> [Amon.]
Instead of Amon, two of De Rossi's MSS. have Amin, and the LXX. have [Emim,] Emim; which nearly approaches the Ami of Ezra.
[Ami.]
temple servants <05411> [the Nethinims.]
Tel Harsha <08521> [Tel-haresha.]
The first of these variations only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly [Tˆl Charshƒ <\\See definition 08521\\>,] {Tel-harsha:} the latter simply arises from the insertion of a [Vƒv,] {wav;} being written ['Addƒn <\\See definition 0135\\>,] {Addan,} in the parallel passage, and ['Add“wn <\\See definition 0114\\>,] {Addon,} here.
[Tel-harsa, Addan. seed. or, pedigree.]
642 <08337 03967> [six hundred.]
[652.]
priests <03548> [of the priests.]
Barzillai ........... Barzillai <01271> [Barzillai.]
searched <01245> [These sought.]
genealogical materials <03187> [those that were.]
found <04672> [but it was.]
excluded <01351> [as polluted.]
governor <08660> [the Tirshatha. or, the governor.]
eat <0398> [that they should.]
consult <05975> [till there.]
male .... servants <05650> [their man-servants.]
7,337 ......... 245 <03967> [two hundred.]
[200.]
Here Jerome adds, in the Vulgate, {Hucusque refertur quid in commentario scriptum fuerit; exin Nehemi‘ historia texitur:} "Thus far do the words extend which were written in the register; what follows belongs to the history of Nehemiah." This addition is not found in the Hebrew, or any ancient version: it is also wanting in the Paris and Complutensian Polyglotts; but is found in the Editio Prima of the Vulgate. What follows, however, seems to relate to a distinct oblation from that recorded in Ezra; and was probably made after the people were registered by Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha, or governor, at this time, as Zerubbabel had been at the first return of the Jews from captivity. Blessed be God that our faith and hope are not built upon the niceties of names and numbers, genealogy and chronology, but on the great things of the law and gospel. Whatever is given to the work of God and his cause will surely be remembered by him (Heb 6:10).
Some <07117> [some. Heb. part.]
leaders <07218> [the chief.]
governor <08660> [The Tirshatha.]
drachmas <01871> [drams.]
Darkemonim, or darics; a Persian gold coin, worth about 1Å“. 5s.
bowls <04219> [basons.]
leaders <07218> [chief.]
minas <04488> [pound. Manim, manehs or minas.]
As a weight, the maneh was equal to 100 shekels; but as a coin, equal to 60 shekels, or about 9Å“.
Israel ............. Israelites <03478> [all Israel.]
It was for the purpose of ascertaining the different families, and consequently the different cities, villages, etc., which belonged to them, according to the ancient division of the land, that the public registers were examined.
seventh <07637> [when the seventh.]
Nehemiah 10:28
rest <07605> [the rest.]
separated <0914> [all they.]
law <08451> [unto the law.]
<03045> [every one.]
