Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:21

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

21. barren ] As in the case of Sarah (Gen 11:30) and of Rachel (Gen 29:31). Rebekah has at first no children. The Chosen People are the children of God’s gift. In each generation patience is made the test of faith. Cf. the birth of Samson (Jdg 13:2) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1).

was intreated ] Allowed Himself to be interceded with, i.e. listened to the prayer, as in 2Sa 21:14; 2Sa 24:25.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 21. Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife] Isaac and Rebekah had now lived nineteen years together without having a child; for he was forty years old when he married Rebekah, Ge 25:20, and he was threescore years of age when Jacob and Esau were born, Ge 25:26. Hence it is evident they had lived nineteen years together without having a child.

The form of the original in this place is worthy of notice: Isaac entreated Jehovah, lenochach ishto, directly, purposely, especially, for his wife. Ainsworth thinks the words imply their praying together for this thing; and the rabbins say that “Isaac and Rebekah went on purpose to Mount Moriah, where he had been bound, and prayed together there that they might have a son.” God was pleased to exercise the faith of Isaac previous to the birth of Jacob, as he had exercised that of Abraham previous to his own birth.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

1838

He prayed, as the Hebrew word signifies, instantly or fervently, frequently and continually, for near twenty years together; for so long, it was between their marriage and the first child. He was so much concerned, because not only his comfort, but the truth of Gods promise, depended upon this mercy; and he knew very well that Gods purpose and promise did not exclude, but require the use of all convenient means for their accomplishment.

For his wife; or, in the presence of his wife; signifying that, besides their more secret devotions, they did oftentimes in a more solemn manner, and with united force, pray for this mercy wherein they were both equally concerned. Or, over against his wife, noting that each of them did severally and apart entreat God for this mercy, so that there was a concurrence, if not in place, yet in design and action.

She was barren, as divers of those holy women that were progenitors of Christ have long been, that it might appear that that sacred stock was propagated more by the virtue of Gods grace and promise than by the power of nature.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

21. Isaac entreated the Lord for hiswifeThough tried in a similar way to his father, he did notfollow the same crooked policy. Twenty years he continued unblessedwith offspring, whose seed was to be “as the stars” [Ge26:4]. But in answer to their mutual prayers (1Pe3:7), Rebekah was divinely informed that she was to be the motherof twins, who should be the progenitors of two independent nations;that the descendants of the younger should be the more powerful andsubdue those of the other (Rom 9:12;2Ch 21:8).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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” a, 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 Ge 25:26. The Jewish writers b say, that, after twenty years, Isaac took her and went with her to Mount Moriah, to the place where he was bound, and prayed that she might conceive; putting the Lord in mind of the promise he there made of the multiplication of Abraham’s seed, Ge 22:17:

and the Lord was entreated of him; he granted him his request; for, though God has purposed and promised to do many things for his people, yet he will be sought unto by them to do them for them:

and Rebekah his wife conceived; two sons at once, as it follows.

a “praesente uxore sua”, Munster, Fagins. b Pirke Eliezer, c. 32. Targum. Jon. in loc. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 3. 1.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Isaac’s marriage, like Abraham’s, was for a long time unfruitful; not to extreme old age, however, but only for 20 years. The seed of the promise was to be prayed for from the Lord, that it might not be regarded merely as a fruit of nature, but be received and recognised as a gift of grace. At the same time Isaac was to be exercised in the patience of faith in the promise of God. After this lengthened test, Jehovah heard his prayer in relation to his wife. , Gen 25:21 and Gen 30:38, lit., opposite to, so that the object is before the eyes, has been well explained by Luther thus: quod toto pectore et intentus in calamitatem uxoris oraverit. Sicut quando oro pro aliquo, propono illum mihi in conspectum cordis mei, et nihil aliud video aut cogito; in eum solum animo intueor .

Gen 25:22-23

When Rebekah conceived, the children struggled together in her womb. In this she saw an evil omen, that the pregnancy so long desired and entreated of Jehovah would bring misfortune, and that the fruit of her womb might not after all secure the blessing of the divine promise; so that in intense excitement she cried out, “ If it be so, wherefore am I? ” i.e., why am I alive? cf. Gen 27:46. But she sought counsel from God: she went to inquire of Jehovah. Where and how she looked for a divine revelation in the matter, is not recorded, and therefore cannot be determined with certainty. Some suppose that it was by prayer and sacrifice at a place dedicated to Jehovah. Others imagine that she applied to a prophet – to Abraham, Melchizedek, or Shem ( Luther); a frequent custom in Israel afterwards (1Sa 9:9), but not probable in the patriarchal age. The divine answer, couched in the form of a prophetic oracle, assured her that she carried two nations in her womb, one stronger than the other; and that the greater (elder or first-born) should serve the less (younger). : “ proceeding from thy womb, are separated.”

Gen 25:24-26

When she was delivered, there were twins; the first-born was reddish, i.e., of a reddish-brown colour (1Sa 16:12; 1Sa 17:42), and “all over like a hairy cloak,” i.e., his whole body as if covered with a fur, with an unusual quantity of hair ( hypertrichosis), which is sometimes the case with new-born infants, but was a sign in this instance of excessive sensual vigour and wildness. The second had laid hold of the heel of the first, i.e., he came into the world with his hand projected and holding the heel of the first-born, a sign of his future attitude towards his brother. From these accidental circumstances the children received their names. The elder they called Esau, the hairy one; the younger Jacob, heel-holder: from ( denom. of heel, Hos 12:3), to hold the heel, then to outwit (Gen 27:36), just as in wrestling an attempt may be made to throw the opponent by grasping the heel.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife. Some translate the passage, Isaac entreated the Lord in the presence of his wife; and understand this to have been done, that she also might add her prayers, and they might jointly supplicate God. But the version here given is more simple. Moreover, this resort to prayer testifies that Isaac knew that he was deprived of children, because God had not blessed him. He also knew that fruitfulness was a special gift of God. For although the favor of obtaining offspring was widely diffused over the whole human race, when God uttered the words “increase and multiply;” yet to show that men are not born fortuitously, he distributes this power of production in various degrees. Isaac, therefore, acknowledges, that the blessing, which was not at man’s disposal, must be sought for by prayer from God. It now truly appears, that he was endued with no ordinary constancy of faith. Forasmuch as the covenant of God was known to him, he earnestly (if ever any did) desired seed. It, therefore, had not now, for the first time, entered into his mind to pray, seeing that for more than twenty years he had been disappointed of his hope. Hence, although Moses, only in a single word, says that he had obtained offspring by his prayers to God; yet reason dictates that these prayers had continued through many years. The patience of the holy man is herein conspicuous, that while he seems in vain to pour forth his wishes into the air, he still does not remit the ardor of his devotion. And as Isaac teaches us, by his example, to persevere in prayer; so God also shows that he never turns a deaf ear to the wishes of his faithful people, although he may long defer the answer.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

21. Entreated the Lord The word for entreated ( ) implies earnest and repeated prayer, and perhaps the accompaniment of incense offering, or some kind of sacrifice . See the Hebrews lexicons on the word . We note that Isaac directs his prayer to Jehovah, the God of the covenant and the promises .

Was entreated Was prevailed upon by his importunity . Compare Luk 18:7. “The heir of promise was to be a child of prayer . ”

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Jacob at Edar and Hebron

v. 21. And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. He struck his tent, and he pitched his tent: the usual way of describing a nomadic form of life. This was south of Bethlehem, and the tower of the flocks was built for their protection, in a region eminently suited for pasturage.

v. 22. And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine; and Israel heard it. Bilhah was Rachel’s hand-maid, but nevertheless Jacob’s concubine; hence Reuben’s sin was that of incest, not to speak of an utter lack of filial reverence. The matter was brought to the attention of the father, and although Jacob did not act at once, the punishment was eventually forthcoming, for the sin cost Reuben his birthright, Gen 49:4. Now the sons of Israel were twelve:

v. 23. the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s first-born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun;

v. 24. the sons of Rachel: Joseph, and Benjamin;

v. 25. and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid: Dan, and Naphtali;

v. 26. and the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid: Gad and Asher; these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram. Cf Gen 29:30-32. Benjamin is enumerated with the other sons of Jacob for the sake of completeness, although he was not born in Padanaram, yet before Jacob’s actual return to the home of his father. Jacob was now formally to enter upon his inheritance, and therefore his sons are mentioned by name, as the fathers of the people of Israel.

v. 27. And Jacob came unto Isaac, his father, unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. As Abraham had made the grove of terebinths which belonged to the Amorite Mamre his headquarters, so Isaac spent a large share of his life there, near Hebron or Kirjatharba.

v. 28. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.

v. 29. And Isaac gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Isaac was thus also added to his people, his soul entered the realm of the perfected saints in heaven, to be joined with his body in the resurrection of the dead. The notice of Isaac’s death is here inserted in order to conclude his history, although, as a matter of fact, he lived about thirteen years longer. “Jacob was born in the sixtieth year of Isaac’s life, and was thus one hundred and twenty years old when Isaac died. But when he was presented to Pharaoh in Egypt, he was one hundred and thirty years old. of this time there were seven fruitful and two unfruitful years since Joseph’s exaltation in Egypt, and thirteen years between the selling of Joseph and his exaltation, for he was sold when seventeen, and was thirty when he was raised to honor and power. Hence we must take twenty-three years from the one hundred and thirty years of Jacob to determine his age at the time Joseph was sold; which is thus one hundred and seven. Isaac, therefore, shared the grief of Jacob over the loss of his son for thirteen years. ” (Lange. )

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Is not this of spiritual signification also in every true believer’s experience? Compare Gen 3:15 with Gal 5:17

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Gen 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Ver. 21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife. ] He did it constantly and instantly, as the word signifies; he multiplied prayer, which (as those arrows of deliverance, 2Ki 13:19 ) must be often iterated, ere the mercy can be obtained.

And the Lord was entreated of him. ] Though it were long first, even full twenty years. God knows how to commend his mercies to us, and therefore holds us long in suspense. Cito data, vilescunt. Manna, lightly come by, was as lightly set by.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

am 2167, bc 1837

entreated: 1Sa 1:11, 1Sa 1:27, Psa 50:15, Psa 65:2, Psa 91:15, Isa 45:11, Isa 58:9, Isa 65:24, Luk 1:13

because: Gen 11:30, Gen 15:2, Gen 15:3, Gen 16:2, Gen 17:16-19, 1Sa 1:2, Luk 1:7

and the: 1Ch 5:20, 2Ch 33:13, Ezr 8:23, Psa 145:19, Pro 10:24

and Rebekah: Rom 9:10-12

Reciprocal: Gen 16:1 – bare Gen 29:31 – he opened Gen 30:2 – Am I Gen 30:22 – opened Jdg 13:2 – barren Rth 4:13 – the Lord 2Ki 4:14 – she hath no child Psa 113:9 – maketh Luk 1:25 – hath Act 7:8 – and Isaac

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Gen 25:21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife Though God had promised to multiply his family, he prayed for it; for Gods promises must not supersede, but encourage our prayers, and be improved as the ground of our faith. Though he had prayed for this mercy many years, and it was not granted, yet he did not leave off praying for it.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Rebekah was barren for 20 years after she married Isaac (Gen 25:20; Gen 25:26). God closed her womb so the chosen family would recognize her children as the fruit of His grace rather than simply the fruit of nature. Isaac was apparently the only monogamous patriarch among the first three: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)