Genesis 25:19-34 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:19-28

We have here an account of the birth of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah: their entrance into the world was (which is not usual) one of the most considerable parts of their story; nor is much related concerning Isaac but what had reference to his father while he lived and to his sons afterwards. For Isaac seems not to have been a man of action, nor much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness and silence. Now concerning Jacob and Esau we are here told, I. That they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:29-34

We have here a bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the birthright, which was Esau's by providence but Jacob's by promise. It was a spiritual privilege, including the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power, as well as the double portion, Gen. 49:3. It seemed to be such a birthright as had then the blessing annexed to it, and the entail of the promise. Now see, I. Jacob's pious desire of the birthright, which yet he sought to obtain by indirect courses, not agreeable to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:19

And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son ,.... Moses, having given the genealogy of Ishmael and his posterity, returns to Isaac, the other son of Abraham, with whom and his children the following part of his history is chiefly, if not altogether concerned: Abraham begat Isaac ; for the further confirmation of his being his proper legitimate son this clause is added. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:20

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife ,.... Which was three years after the death of his mother; Isaac was born when she was ninety, and therefore must be thirty seven when she died. The Jews say Rebekah was but fourteen, though it is highly probable she was older; who is described as the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian, of Padanaram ; so called to distinguish it from other Arams, as Aram of Damascus, &c.; this seems to be the same with Aram Naharaim, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:21

And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife ,.... Was very earnest and constant in his supplications for her, as the word signifies, as is observed by Jarchi; or, "before his wife" F1 לנכח אשתו "praesente uxore sua", Munster, Fagins. , she being present, and joining with him in his prayers: the reason was: because she was barren ; which appeared by the length of time they had been married, which was near twenty years, see Genesis 25:26 . The Jewish writers F2 Pirke... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:22

And the children struggled together within her ,.... When she was quick with child: this was some time before her delivery, and was not a common and ordinary motion felt by women in such circumstances, but an extraordinary one; the two children in her strove with each other, as if it was for mastery, or who should get out first before the proper time; which not only gave her great uneasiness of mind, but pain of body: this was an emblem of the future difference between those two children,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:23

And the Lord said unto her ,.... Either by one or other of the above persons she acquainted with this affair, and entreated to seek the Lord for her; or by an impulse upon her own mind: two nations are in thy womb ; or two persons, from whom two nations will spring, the Edomites and Israelites, the one from Esau, the other from Jacob: and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels ; different in their bodies, complexions, manner of life, religion, as well as place of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:24

And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled ,.... The nine months were up from the time of her conception; or, as the Targum of Jonathan, when the two hundred and seventy days she went with child were completed: behold, there were twins in her womb ; as was perceived by the midwife; a double mercy was granted, more given than asked for; probably only one child was asked for, but two given. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:25

And the first came out red ,.... Either his body, or rather the hair it was covered with, red; which was a sign, as Jarchi observes, that he would be a shedder of blood, fierce and cruel as were he and his posterity: all over like an hairy garment ; his body was all over full of hair, which stood as thick as a garment made of hair, and was a sign of the roughness of his disposition, as well as of the strength of his body: and they called his name Esau ; his parents, and those present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out ,.... Out of his mother's womb, either by his own strength, or by the help of the midwife: and his hand took hold on Esau's heel ; to pluck him back and get out first; and this was not casual, but was so ordered in Providence, and had a meaning and mystery in it: and his name was called Jacob ; by his parents and others, and that for the above reason, because he took his brother by the heel, which his name has the signification of, and Esau has... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:19-28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:29-34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:26

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