1._And the Lord visited Sarah_. In this chapters not only is the nativity of Isaac related, but because, in his very birth, God has set before us a lively picture of his Church, Moses also gives a particular account of this matter. And first, he says that God visited Sarah, as he had promised. Becau... [ Continue Reading ]
2._She bare Abraham a son_. This is said according to the accustomed manner of speaking; because the woman is neither the head of a family, nor brings forth properly for herself, but for her husband. What follows, however, is more worthy of notice, In his old age, at the set time, which God had pred... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And Abraham called the name_. Moses does not mean that Abraham was the inventor of the name; but that he adhered to the name which before had been given by the angel. This act of obedience, however, was worthy of commendation, since he not only ratified the word of God, but also executed his offi... [ Continue Reading ]
4._And Abraham circumcised his son_. Abraham pursued his uniform tenor of obedience, in not sparing his own son. For, although it would be painful for him to wound the tender body of the infant; yet, setting aside all human affection, he obeys the word of God. And Moses records that he did as the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And Abraham was an hundred years old_. Moses again records the age of Abraham the better to excite the minds of his readers to a consideration of the miracle. And although mention is made only of Abraham, let us yet remember that he is, in this place, set before us, not as a man of lust, but as t... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck _? I understand the future tense to be here put for the subjunctive mood. And the meaning is, that such a thing would never have entered into the mind of any one. Whence she concludes, that God alone was the Author of it... [ Continue Reading ]
8._And the child grew, and was weaned_. Moses now begins to relate the manner in which Ishmael was rejected from the family of Abraham, in order that Isaac alone might hold the place of the lawful son and heir. It seems, indeed, at first sight, something frivolous, that Sarah, being angry about a me... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And Sarah saw the son of Hagar_. As the verb to laugh has a twofold signification among the Latins, so also the Hebrews use, both in a good and evil sense, the verb from which the participle מצחק (_metsachaik_) is derived. That it was not a childish and innoxious laughter, appears from the indign... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Cast out this bondwoman_. Not only is Sarah exasperated against the transgressor, but she seems to act more imperiously towards her husband than was becoming in a modest wife. Peter shows, that when, on a previous occasion, she called Abraham lord, she did not do so feignedly; since he proposes... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight_. Although Abraham had been already assured, by many oracles, that the blessed seed should proceed from Isaac only; yet, under the influence of paternal affection, he could not bear that Ishmael should be cut off, for the purpose of causing the... [ Continue Reading ]
12._In all that Sarah hath said unto thee_. I have just said that although God used the ministry of Sarah in so great a matter, it was yet possible that she might fail in her method of acting. He now commands Abraham to hearken unto his wife, not because he approves her disposition, but because he w... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And Abraham rose up early_. How painful was the wound, which the ejection of his firstborn son inflicted upon the mind of the holy man, we may gather from the double consolation with which God mitigated his grief: He sends his son into banishments just as if he were tearing out his own bowels. B... [ Continue Reading ]
17._God heard the voice of the lad_. Moses had said before that Hagar wept: how is it then, that, disregarding her tears, God only hears the voice of the _lad _? If we should say, that the mother did not deserve to receive a favorable answer to her prayers; her son, certainly, was in no degree more... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Arise lift up the lad_. In order that she might have more courage to bring up her son, God confirms to her what he had before often promised to Abraham. Indeed, nature itself prescribes to mothers what they owe to their children; but, as I have lately hinted, all the natural feelings of Hagar wo... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And God was with the lad_. There are many ways in which God is said to be present with men. He is present with his elect, whom he governs by the special grace of his Spirit; he is present also, sometimes, as it respects external life, not only with his elect, but also with strangers, in granting... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And it came to pass at that time_. Moses relates, that this covenant was entered into between Abraham and Abimelech, for the purpose of showing, that after various agitations, some repose was, at length, granted to the holy man. He had been constrained, as a wanderer, and without a fixed abode,... [ Continue Reading ]
23._That thou wilt not deal falsely with me _(441) Literally it is, ‘If thou shalt lie;’ for, among the Hebrews, a defective form of speech is common in taking oaths, which is to be thus explained: ‘If thou shouldst break the promise given to me, we call upon God to sit as Judge between us, and to s... [ Continue Reading ]
24._And Abraham said, I will swear_. Although he had the stronger claim of right, he yet refuses nothing which belonged to the duty of a good and moderate man. And truly, since it is becoming in the sons of God to be freely ready for every duty; nothing is more absurd, than for them to appear reluct... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And Abraham reproved Abimelech_. This complaint seems to be unjust; for, if he had been injured, why did he not resort to the ordinary remedy? He knew the king to be humane, to have some seed of piety, and to have treated himself courteously and honorably; why then does he doubt that he will pro... [ Continue Reading ]
27._And Abraham took sheep_. Hence it appears that the covenant made, was not such as is usually entered into between equals: for Abraham considers his own position, and in token of subjection, offers a gift, from his flocks, to king Gerar; for, what the Latins call paying tax or tribute, and what w... [ Continue Reading ]
28._And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves_. Moses recites another chief point of the covenant; namely, that Abraham made express provision for himself respecting the well, that he should have free use of its water. And he placed in the midst seven lambs, that the king being pres... [ Continue Reading ]
31._Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba_. Moses has once already called the place by this name, but proleptically. Now, however, he declares when, and for what reason, the name was given; namely, because there both he and Abimelech had sworn; therefore I translate the term ‘the well of swearin... [ Continue Reading ]
33._And Abraham planted a grove_. It hence appears that more rest was granted to Abraham, after the covenant was entered into, than he had hitherto enjoyed; for now he begins to plant trees, which is a sign of a tranquil and fixed habitation; for we never before read that he planted a single shrub.... [ Continue Reading ]