XXVIII. (1) ISAAC CALLED JACOB.... — Though Rebekah’s primary motive was her concern for Jacob’s safety, yet we must not imagine that his marriage was a mere pretext. On the contrary, now that he was acknowledged as the firstborn, both he and she would have been abandoning his high position had the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS. Abraham begat Isaac — The _Tôldôth_ in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired... [ Continue Reading ]
PADAN-ARAM. — See Note on Genesis 25:20. Throughout this verse Isaac shows a much more intimate acquaintance with the family at Haran than was possessed by Abraham. (Comp. Genesis 24:4.) And though we gather from Genesis 28:5 that Bethuel was now dead, yet it is evident that he was a person of more... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD ALMIGHTY. — Heb., _El Shaddai._ As it was Isaac’s purpose in this blessing to confirm Jacob in the possession of the promises made to Abraham, he is careful to use the same title as that borne by God in the covenant whereby the land of Canaan was given to his seed, and of which the sacrament of... [ Continue Reading ]
JACOB’S AND ESAU’S MOTHER. — This insertion of particulars already well known is in exact accordance with the Oriental manner of writing, which, moreover, is very careful in impressing all matters of family relation on the mind. (Comp. Genesis 25:12.) It is worthy of notice that as Jacob has now bee... [ Continue Reading ]
ESAU MARRIES A DAUGHTER OF ISHMAEL. (6) WHEN ESAU. — The solemn transfer of the birthright to Jacob, and Isaac’s complete assent thereto, must have been the cause of no little grief to Esau, and evidently it made him feel that he had greatly contributed to this result by his own illegitimate marriag... [ Continue Reading ]
JACOB’S DREAM. (10) AND JACOB. — Though this history is called the _Tôldôth Isaac,_ yet it is really the history of Jacob, just as the _Tôldôth Terah_ was the history of Abraham, and the _Tôldôth Jacob,_ beginning at Genesis 37:2, is the history of Joseph. Up to this time all had been preparation,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LIGHTED UPON A CERTAIN PLACE. — Heb., _he lighted upon the place._ The article probably signifies that it was the place appointed for the revelation, though lighted upon by Jacob by chance. As it lay twelve miles north of Jerusalem, in the mountains of Ephraim, Jacob had already been at least fou... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD A LADDER.... — Isaac had confirmed Jacob in the possession of the blessing before he started on his long journey, but it was necessary that he should also have the Divine ratification of his appointment; for the chief privilege was the covenant with God previously confirmed to Isaac, his fath... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY THE LORD (JEHOVAH) IS IN THIS PLACE. — Jacob was not unaware of the omnipresence of the Deity: what astonished him was that Jehovah should thus reveal Himself far away from the shrines where He was worshipped. Rebekah had gone to one of these to inquire of Jehovah (Genesis 25:22), and probabl... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW DREADFUL. — The manifestation of God must always inspire awe and dread, but not fear: for where He reveals Himself, there is “the gate of heaven” — the appointed entrance for prayer now, and for admission to the glorified life hereafter.... [ Continue Reading ]
JACOB... TOOK THE STONE... AND SET IT UP FOR A PILLAR. — In so doing, Jacob’s object was to mark the spot where so important a communication had been made to him. But besides its use as a memorial, it would enable him to identify the place upon his return, and pay there his vows. And as oil was the... [ Continue Reading ]
BETH-EL... LUZ. — In Joshua 16:1, we find that Luz and Beth-el were distinct places, though near one another; and with this agrees the present passage. For plainly, Jacob and his attendants did not go inside the city, but slept on the open ground; and as they would carry their provisions with them,... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-22) THEN SHALL THE LORD (JEHOVAH) BE MY GOD. — This is a false translation, and gives a wrong sense. Jacob, in his vow, which implies no doubt on his part, but is his acceptance of the terms of the covenant, says: “If Elohim will be with me, and will protect me on this journey that I go, and wil... [ Continue Reading ]