Genesis 26:34-35

FIFTH SECTION

Isaac’s sorrow over Esau’s marriage with the daughters of Canaan

Genesis 26:34-35

34And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith [celebrated?] the daughter, of Beeri [heroic son? Fontanus?] the Hittite, and Bashemath [lovely, בֹּשֶׂם, fragrance, spicy] the daughter of Elon [oak-grove, strength] the Hittite: 35Which were a grief of mind [a heart-sorrow] unto Isaac and Rebekah.

EXEGETICAL AND CRITICAL

Esau was forty years old. Isaac, therefore, according to Genesis 25:26, was about 100 years. According to Genesis 28:9, he took Mahalath as his third wife, together with the two mentioned here. These names are mostly different, as to form, from those of Genesis 36:2, etc. The points of resemblance are, first, the number three; secondly, the name of Bashemath; third, the designation of one of them as the daughter of Elon, the other as a daughter of Ishmael. In respect to the dissimilarities and their solution, see Knobel, p. 278, on Genesis 1:36; Delitzsch, 505; Keil, 229. Which were a grief of mind.—Lit.: “a bitterness of spirit.” Their Canaanitish descent, which, in itself, was mortifying to Esau’s parents, corresponds with the Canaanitish conduct. It is characteristic of Esau, however, that, without the counsel and consent of his parents, he took to himself two wives at once, and these, too, from the Canaanites. Bashemath, Ahuzzath, Mahalath (Genesis 28:9) are Arabic forms.

DOCTRINAL AND ETHICAL

1. Esau’s ill-assorted marriage a continuance of the prodigality in the disposal of his birthright.
2. The threefold offence: 1. Polygamy without any necessary inducement; 2. women of Canaanitish origin; 3. without the advice, and to the displeasure of his parents.
3. The heart-sorrow of the parents over the misalliance of the son. How it produced an effect in the mind of Rebekah, different from that produced in the mind of Isaac.

HOMILETICAL AND PRACTICAL

See Doctrinal and Ethical paragraphs.

Starke: Lange: Children ought not to marry without the advice and consent of their parents. Cramer: Next to the perception of God’s wrath, there is no greater grief on earth than that caused by children to their parents. Gerlach: Esau may be regarded as a heathen, already and before his expulsion from the line of blessing. Calwer Handb.: Took two wives. Opposed to the beautiful example of his father. In addition to the trials undergone up to this time, domestic troubles are now added. It is very possible that this act of disobedience toward God and his parents, of which Esau became guilty by his marriage, matured the resolution of Rebekah, to act as related in Genesis 1:27. Schröder: The notice respecting Esau, serves, preëminently, to prepare for that which follows (Esau’s action). A self-attestation of his lawful expulsion from the chosen generation, and, at the same time, an actual warning to Jacob. Lamentation and grief of mind appeared when he was old, and had hoped that his trials were at an end (Luther).

Footnotes:

[7][Genesis 26:34. Beeri, of a well. A. G.]

[8][Genesis 26:35. The margin, lit., bitterness of spirit. A. G.