Genesis 26:34. He took to wife Contrary to the command of his father, mother, and grandfather, he marries Canaanites, who were strangers to the blessing of Abraham, and subject to the curse of Noah. read more
Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing (26:34-28:9)The custom in ancient times was for the father of the household to confirm the birthright on his firstborn son by giving his special blessing just before he died. People considered this blessing to be more than just a promise; they saw it as a prophecy that carried God’s favour. Isaac knew that God’s will was for Jacob, not Esau, to receive the firstborn’s blessing (see 25:23). Yet he was determined to give the blessing to Esau, even though Esau, by... read more
These names exhibit the Figure of speech. Polynyrmia. App-6 . Judith, She had a second name, Aholibamah (Genesis 36:5 , Genesis 36:14 , Genesis 36:25 ). Beeri. His name was also Anah, but he had acquired the name "Beeri" (or the spring-man) from his having discovered the hot springs. See on Genesis 36:24 . Hittite = the general name. See note on 1 Kings 10:29 . Bashematti had a second name, Adah. The name Bashemath dropped in Genesis 36:2 to avoid confusion with the daughter of Ishmael. In... read more
grief. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), grief put for that which caused it. No wonder it caused "bitterness of spirit" when we remember who the Canaanites were. mind = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. See App-9 . read more
"And when Esau was forty years old he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: and they were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah."These verses actually belong to the succeeding chapter, but we shall treat them here where they are found in the sacred text. Abraham had introduced polygamy into the traditions of the Chosen People, and his posterity would not fail to continue it. Esau, a grandson, was the first to follow in... read more
Genesis 26:34. And Esau, &c.— There are numberless places in which it is easy to point out the impropriety of the divisions in our chapters, &c. It is palpable that this chapter should end at Genesis 26:33. In the rendering of particles, much of the perspicuity of a translation, and more of its elegance, consist: perhaps the present would be better rendered, Now Esau was forty years old, and he took, &c. So it is in the French. Esau's intermarriage with the devoted Canaanites gave... read more
34. Esau . . . took to wife—If the pious feelings of Abraham recoiled from the idea of Isaac forming a matrimonial connection with a Canaanitish woman [ :-], that devout patriarch himself would be equally opposed to such a union on the part of his children; and we may easily imagine how much his pious heart was wounded, and the family peace destroyed, when his favorite but wayward son brought no less than two idolatrous wives among them—an additional proof that Esau neither desired the blessing... read more
Esau’s marriage 26:34-35We can identify three purposes for this brief section.1. Moses explained and justified the reason for Jacob’s later departure for Paddan-aram (Genesis 27:46 to Genesis 28:2).2. Moses identified the ancestors of the Edomites who later played a major role in Israel’s history.3. Moses revealed Esau’s carnal character again.Esau showed no interest in the special calling of his family but sought to establish himself as a great man in the world by marrying Canaanite women (cf.... read more
Isaac at GerarMany of the notes on Genesis 20, 21 are applicable to this chapter It is thought probable that the present narrative is in the main a repetition from another source of events already recorded.2. Go not down into Egypt] to get food as Abraham did. The covenant blessing is renewed and the possession of Canaan assured to Isaac. He is encouraged to stay in Canaan in dependence on God. 7. My sister] The expression might mean cousins.12. An hundredfold] Though very large, such a crop is... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 26:1-35
- The Events of Isaac’s Life5. משׁמרת mı̂shmeret, “charge, ordinance.” מציה mı̂tsvâh, “command,” special order. חק choq, “decree, statute,” engraven on stone or metal. תירה tôrâh, “law,” doctrine, system of moral truth.10. עשׂק ‛êśeq, ‘Eseq, “strife.”21. שׂטנה śı̂ṭnâh, Sitnah, “opposition.”22. רחבית rechobôt, Rechoboth, “room.”26. אחזת 'ǎchuzat, Achuzzath, “possession.”33. שׁבעה shı̂b‛âh, Shib’ah, “seven; oath.”34. יהוּדית yehûdı̂yt, Jehudith, “praised.” בארי be'ērı̂y, Beeri, “of a... read more