_God tempted, &c. God tempteth no man to evil, James i. 13. But by trial and experiment, maketh known to the world and to ourselves, what we are; as here by this trial the singular faith and obedience of Abraham was made manifest. (Challoner)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy only begotten, or thy most beloved, as if he had been an only child; in which sense the word is often taken, 1 Paralipomenon xxix. 1. Ismael was still living; but Isaac was the only son of Sara, the most dignified wife. --- Lovest. Hebrew, "hast loved" hitherto; now thou must consider him as de... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the night: de nocte, Hebrew, "very early in the morning." --- His son, 25 years old, without perhaps saying a word to Sara about the intended sacrifice; though some believe, he had too great an opinion of her faith and constancy, not to reveal to her the order of God. The Scripture is silent. (C... [ Continue Reading ]
_Will return. He hoped, perhaps, that God would restore Isaac to life: (Hebrews xi. 19.) and he could not well express himself otherwise to the men, who were not acquainted with the divine decree. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Holocaust. These were probably the only sacrifices yet in use. (Calmet) --- The conversation of Isaac could not fail to pierce the heart of his father. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The place. Mount Moria, on part of which the temple was built afterwards; and on another part, called Calvary, our Saviour was crucified, having carried his cross, as Isaac did the wood for sacrifice. --- His son: having first explained to him the will of God, to which Isaac gave his free consent;... [ Continue Reading ]
_To sacrifice; a thing hitherto unprecedented, and which God would never suffer to be done in his honour, though he was pleased to try the obedience of his servant so far. The pagans afterwards took occasion, perhaps, from this history, to suppose, that human victims would be the most agreeable to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast not spared. Thus the intentions of the heart become worthy of praise, or of blame, even when no exterior effect is perceived. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_He took; God having given him the dominion over it. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Will see. This became a proverbial expression, used by people in distress, who, remembering how Abraham had been relieved, endeavoured to comfort themselves with hopes of relief. Some translate the Lord will be seen, which was verified when Christ was crucified. (Menochius) --- Or, he will provide,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Own self; as he could not swear by any one greater. (Hebrews vi. 13; Jeremias xxii. 5.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stars and dust, comprising the just and sinners. --- Gates, shall judge and rule. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children. These are mentioned here, to explain the marriage of Isaac with Rebecca, the grand-daughter of Nachor and Melcha._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hus, who peopled Ausitis in Arabia, the desert, where Job lived. --- Buz, from whom sprung Elihu the Busite, the Balaam of the Jews. (St. Jerome) --- Syrians, called Camiletes, to the west of the Euphrates; or father of the Cappadocians. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Concubine, or wife, secondary in privileges, love, and dignity. Though Nachor did not, perhaps imitate the faith and virtue of his brother Abraham, but mixed various superstitions with the knowledge of the true God; yet we need not condemn him, for having more wives than one. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]