Genesis 25

Toledoth VII (Genesis 25:12)

Toledoth VIII (Genesis 25:19)

The great importance of this chapter is evident, first of all, by its inclusion in the inspired record, but it receives emphasis in the fact that two of the ten toledoths of Genesis begin here - that of Ishmael in Genesis 25:12, and that of Isaac in Genesis 25:19. Ishmael's "generations," standing without the covenant, are naturally treated very briefly. The birth of Jacob and Esau is given in Genesis 25:19-26, and the sale of his birthright by Esau is recorded in Genesis 25:27-34.

One of the "problems" associated with the chapter concerns Abraham's marriage to Keturah. Did that occur before or after the death of Sarah? The interest usually focused on this question has prompted us to include an Excursus on Keturah at the end of the chapter.

The scant attention given to Isaac in this and succeeding chapters seem to suggest that it is possible for a man to have too great a father. Living as he did, under the colossal shadow of the greatest of the patriarchs, Isaac, by comparison, appears somewhat weak and insignificant.

Of his life there was little to record, and what was recorded was very much a reproduction of some of the least of the glorious passages of his father's career. The digging of wells for his flocks was among the most notable events of his commonplace life, and even in this he only re-opened the wells his father had dug.[1]