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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel. The inf. constr, standing for the finite verb. Not simply followed close upon the heels of Esau (Kalisch), but seized Esau's heel, as if he would trip him up (Keil, Murphy). It has been contended (De Wette, Schumann, Knobel) that such an act was impossible, a work on obstetrics by Busch maintaining that an hour commonly intervenes between the birth of twins; but practitioners of eminence who have been consulted... 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 25:20

Genesis 25:20. And Isaac was forty years old Not much is related concerning Isaac, but what had reference to his father, while he lived, and to his sons afterward; for Isaac seems not to have been a man of action, nor to have been much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness and silence. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 25:21

Genesis 25:21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife Though God had promised to multiply his family, he prayed for it; for God’s 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. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 25:23

Genesis 25:23. Two nations are in thy womb The fathers of two nations, namely, of the Edomites and Israelites; two manner of people, which should not only greatly differ from each other in religion, laws, manners, but should contend with each other, and the issue of the contest should be, that the elder should serve the younger, which was fulfilled in the subjection of the Edomites, for many ages, to the house of David. read more

Joseph Benson

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

Genesis 25:25. Red, like a hairy garment With red hair all over his body, as if he had been already a grown man, whence he had his name, Esau, made, reared already. This was an indication of a very strong constitution, and gave cause to expect that he would be a very robust, daring, active man. But Jacob was smooth and tender, as other children. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 25:26

Genesis 25:26. His hand took hold on Esau’s heel This signified, 1st, Jacob’s pursuit of the birthright and blessing; from the first he reached forth to have caught hold of it, and if possible to have prevented his brother. 2d, His prevailing for it at last: that, in process of time, he should gain his point. This passage is referred to, Hosea 12:3, and from hence he had his name, Jacob, which means, He took him by the heel, or he supplanted. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 25:19

begat. The same form of the verb as in Genesis 5:0 , used of the godly seed. read more

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