Genesis 25:22

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:22

The children struggled together - יתרצצו yithrotsatsu , they dashed against or bruised each other, there was a violent agitation, so that the mother was apprehensive both of her own and her children's safety; and, supposing this was an uncommon case, she went to inquire of the Lord, as the good women in the present day would go to consult a surgeon or physician; for intercourse with God is not so common now, as it was in those times of great primitive simplicity. There are different... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:22

Verse 22 22.And the children struggled together. Here a new temptation suddenly arises, namely, that the infants struggle together in their mother’s womb. This conflict occasions the mother such grief that she wishes for death. And no wonder; for she thinks that it would be a hundred times better for her to die, than that she have within her the horrible prodigy of twin — brothers, shut up in her womb, carrying on intestine war. They, therefore, are mistaken, who attribute this complaint to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 25:19-26

The childless pair. I. THE DISAPPOINTED HUSBAND . 1. The grievous affliction . Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, was barren. Though neither uncommon nor unjust, this was to Isaac 2. The earnest intercession . "Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife." Isaac's supplication was 3. The gracious response . "The Lord was entreated of Isaac, and Rebekah conceived. Note the character of God as the Hearer of prayer, the habitual practice of God, which is to listen to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 25:19-34

Divine purposes unfolded. We are now entering a new stage of the sacred history, where we are looking less upon the development of one man's character than upon the unfolding purposes of Jehovah in the family with which he has made his covenant. Again we are in the region of— 1. Gracious interposition . 2. Supernatural assistance of human infirmity . 3. Prophetic announcements . The atmosphere is that of the covenant. The children in the womb are two nations. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 25:22

And the children struggled together within her . The verb is expressive of a violent internal commotion, as if the unborn children had been dashing against one another in her womb. Cf. the story of Acrisius and Praetus, who quarreled before birth about their subsequent dominion (Apollod; II . 2. 1). Vide Rosenmüller, Scholia, in loco . And she said, If it be so, why am I thus? Literally, If so , why thus (am) I ? Of obscure import, but probably meaning, "If so," i . e ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 25:19-34

- LIII. Birth of Esau and Jacob20. פדן padān, Paddan, “plowed field;” related: “cut, plow.”25. עשׂי ‛êśâv, ‘Esaw, “hairy, or made.”26. יעקב ya‛ăqôb, Ja’aqob, “he shall take the heel.”27. תם tām, “perfect, peaceful, plain.” The epithet refers to disposition, and contrasts the comparatively civilized character of Jacob with the rude temper of Esau.30. אדים 'ědôm, Edom, “red.”The ninth document here begins with the usual phrase, and continues to the end of the thirty-fifth chapter. It... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 25:22

Genesis 25:22. The children struggled within her In an unusual and painful manner; a presage of the enmity of these two sons and their posterities. If it be so, or since it is so, why am I thus? That is, as some interpret it, “If I am with child, what is the reason of this unusual commotion I feel?” Or, as others explain her exclamation, “If I must suffer such uncommon pangs, why did I conceive?” Before, the want of children was her trouble; now, the struggle of her children is no... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:19-34

25:19-28:9 ISAAC PASSES ON THE INHERITANCEIsaac’s two sons (25:19-34)After being childless for twenty years, Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons. The characters of the two sons proved to be opposites, and this was later reflected in the two nations that were descended from them. God appointed that the elder, Esau, should serve the younger, Jacob (19-26). But that did not excuse the worthlessness of Esau in selling his right as the eldest son (cf. Hebrews 12:16-17). Nor did it excuse the... read more

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