_JACOB BEGETS DAN AND NAPHTALI, OF BILHAH: GAD AND ASHER, OF ZILPAH. LEAH BRINGS FORTH ISSACHAR, ZEBULUN, AND DINAH. RACHEL BRINGS FORTH JOSEPH. JACOB DESIRES TO DEPART FROM LABAN, WHO AGAIN AGREES WITH AND RETAINS HIM._ _Before Christ 1749._... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE ME CHILDREN, &C.— It is very evident from the text, that the foundation of this impatient and unbecoming behaviour in Rachel, was envy and jealousy of her sister: and therefore, though sterility was counted a very great evil among the Hebrew women, and that principally from their hope of being... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD MY MAID, &C.— Struck with the force of her husband's reproof, she bethought herself of the usual way, at that time, for women in her case to become mothers: to which end she gave Bilhah her handmaid to Jacob, as Sarah had done heretofore to Abraham. _And she shall bear upon my knees,_ said Ra... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GREAT WRESTLINGS— That is, according to the Hebrew, _with wrestlings of God;_ either with great and hard wrestlings or strivings, or by wrestling with God in fervent prayer; and by God's grace and strength. _NAPHTALI_— Rachel, like Leah, denominated her children from the occasion: _Dan, i.e.. J... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUND MANDRAKES— Many eminent Naturalists, ancient and modern, have written largely concerning the nature and properties of these _dudaim_ or _mandrakes._ But as it is by no means necessary to enter minutely into the subject, the reader will excuse me, if I pass it over in silence.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU HAST TAKEN, &C.— From Leah's expression, _thou hast taken away my husband,_ it rather seems as if Rachel had so engrossed all Jacob's affection, as to have withdrawn him entirely from Leah, who therefore, solicitous for more children, was the rather anxious for his company. I cannot think,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTERWARDS SHE BARE A DAUGHTER, &C.— Leah, continuing to bear children, which were the great objects of her desire, appears to have gained more of her husband's company and regard. She ascribes the gift to God, Genesis 30:18; Genesis 30:20. at the same time that she judges her condescension in g... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD REMEMBERED RACHEL, &C.— Rachel, grown wiser by her husband's reproof, Genesis 30:2 applied herself to _Him_ who is the _Giver of children;_ and he heard her prayer, and granted her request; delayed the longer, probably, for her impatience: for blessings are often withheld, to teach us resignatio... [ Continue Reading ]
IT CAME TO PASS, &C.— It is plain, by this verse, Bishop Patrick observes, that the last seven years service for Rachel was now finished, just when Joseph was born; and therefore Jacob desires to be dismissed, having served Laban fourteen years. Usher proves that Jacob was ninety-one years old when... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE LEARNED BY EXPERIENCE— The primary sense of the original word here used, נחשׁ (_nachash_) is to _view, observe attentively,_ to _use attentive_ and _subtle observation;_ see l Kings 20: 33. and therefore our translation is extremely proper, as well as that of the Vulgate, _experimento dedici:... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU KNOWEST HOW I HAVE SERVED THEE— Who that saw Jacob _deceiving_ his aged father, would have expected to have heard of such a witness as Laban, appearing, after so many years experience, for Jacob's _sincerity_ in the discharge of all the duties of a servant and a son!... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE MY COMING— Heb. _at my foot, i.e._. ever since I set my _foot_ within thy doors; or wheresoever I went, and led thy flock. But Maimonides says it signifies, _because of me, for my sake._ St. Austin reports, that in Africa they express a _happy man,_ by saying a _man with a good foot._ Houbigan... [ Continue Reading ]
SPECKLED AND SPOTTED— The _speckled_ cattle were those marked with little points or pricks, which the Greeks called στιγματα. The _spotted_ were those marked with broader and larger spots, such as are often seen in the Eastern cattle especially. There were two other sorts (see ch. Genesis 31:10.); 1... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN IT SHALL COME, &C.— This may be rendered, according to Le Clerc, _when it_ (my righteousness) _shall came before thy face, respecting my reward,_ or as to the matter of my reward. The _righteousness_ of Jacob is said to be about to come before the face of Laban, because it would be manifest fro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FLOCKS CONCEIVED, &C.— Dr. Shuckford observes further, (see note on Genesis 30:32.) that as it cannot be proved that the method which Jacob used is a natural and effectual way to produce variegated cattle, the ancient naturalists have carried their thoughts upon these subjects much farther t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JACOB, &C.— After the success which attended his use of the pilled rods, he took care to keep what belonged to Laban separate from those lambs which, by agreement, belonged to himself; at the same time placing his _ring-straked,_ &c. in the face or front of Laban's flock, that by that means also... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAN INCREASED, &C.— God rewarded his fidelity, and punished the cruelty and avarice of Laban; transferring his wealth to Jacob, as he gave the riches of the AEgyptians to the Israelites: for the world is his, and the fulness thereof; and he may certainly dispose of every thing in it as he please... [ Continue Reading ]