X¹ n¹ 1-54-. Eleazar's mission and his progress. n² -54-67. Eleazar's mission and his return.
n¹ o 1. Abraham's blessing and prosperity. p 2-9. Eleazar's oath and commission. q 10,11. Journey of Eleazar. r 12-21. Prayer of Eleazar. Ans. 15-21. s 22-25. His conference with Rebekah. t 26. His worship of Yahaveh. u 27-32. Reception of Eleazar. v 33. Entertainment. Declined. o 34-36. Abraham's blessings and prosperity. p 37-41. Eleazar's oath and commission. q 42-. Journey of Eleazar. r -42-45-. Prayer of Eleazar. Ans. 45-. s -45-47. His conference with Rebekah. t 48. His worship of Yahaveh. u 49-53. Reception of Eleazar's message. v 54-. Entertainment accepted.1: And Abraham was old (about 140 years old), and well stricken in age: and the Lord (Yahaveh) had blessed Abraham in all things.
1858 B.C.
2: And Abraham said to his eldest servant of his house, (Eleazar of Damascus), that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh: (According to the Midrah and ancient Jewish expositors, a Euphemism for the organs of generation, as most sacred. According to Ibn Ezra and present Indian custom, on the thigh is a token of subjection)
12: And he said, "The Lord God (Yahaveh Elohim) of my master Abraham, I pray You, send me good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
22: And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that he man took a nose (or "face") ring of gold of a half sheckel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten sheckels of gold (aprox. 3 oz.);
26: And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped Yehovah.
27: And he said, "Blessed be the Lord God (Yahaveh Elohim) of my master Abraham, Who has not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the Lord God (Yahaveh) led me to the house of my master's brethren."
33: And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, "I will not eat, until I have told my errand." and he (Laban) said, "Speak on."
34: And he said, "I am Abraham's servant.
37: And my master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
42: And I came this day to the spring, and said, (Eleazar repeats his prayer from memory, but inexactly. Who could have written the actual words, vv.12-21, but the Holy Inspiring Spirit? He records both the prayer itself and Eleaazar's remembrance of it),
Oh the Lord God (Yahaveh Elohim) of my master Abraham, if now You do prosper my way which I go:
And I said to her, 'Let me drink, I pray you.'
48: And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord (Yehovah), and blessed the Lord (Yahaveh Elohim) of my master Abraham, Which had led me in the right way (cp. Ps.107:7) to take my master's brother's daughter (daughter put for grand-daughter) to his son.
49: And now if you all will deal kindly and truely with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."
and rose up in the morning, and he said,
"send me away to my master."
56: And he said to them, "Hinder me not, seeing the Lord (Yahaveh) has prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master."
57: And they said, "we will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth."
61: And Rebekah arose, and her dasels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
1856 B.C.
67: And Isaac brought her to his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac consoled himself for his mother's death.
1846 B.C.
2: And she bare him Zimram (=celebrated), and Joksan (=fowler), and Medan (=contention), and Midian (=strife. Medan and Median were half-brothers with Ismael, and they were mixed up together in their dealings. See note on 37:25,28 and cp. 16:12; 17:20), and Ishbak (=left behind), and Shuah (=wealth).
1773 B.C.
17: And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he gave up the spirit (i.e. spirit returned to God) and died; and he was gathered up to his people.
3: And I will make you swear by the Lord (Yahaveh), the God (Elohim) of heaven, and the God (Elohim) of the earth, that you shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: (Mixed with the Nephilim. Emphatic in contrast with the Canaanites. Hence Abraham's horror of mixing the holy seed with that of the Nephilim = mighty men, abominations)
4: But you shall go to my country, and to my kindred (Gentiles thus expressly excluded from this chapter, if regarded as a type), and take a wife to my son Isaac."
5: And the servant said to him, "Perahaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land: is it necessary that I bring your son again to the land from which place you came?"
6: And Abraham said to him, "You beware that you bring not my son there again.
7: The the Lord God (Yahaveh Elohim) of heaven, and God (Elohim) of earth, Which took me from my house, and from the my country, and Which spoke to me, and That sware to me, saying, 'To your seed will I give this land;' He shall send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife to my son from that place.
11: And he made his camels to kneal down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
13: Behold, I stand here by the spring of water; and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water:
14: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, 'Let down your pitcher, I pray you that I may drink:' and she say, 'Drink, and I will give your camels drink also:' (a sign requested contrary to the custom) let the same be she that You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that You have showed kindness to my master."
15: And it came to pass, before he had done speaking (cp. Isa.65:24), that, behold, Rebekah (=captivating) came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16: And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin (every virgin is a maiden, but every maiden is not a virgin, hence she was pure) neither had any man known her: and she went down to the spring, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17: And the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Let me, I pray you, drink a little water of your pitcher."
18: And she said, "Drink my lord:" and she hasted and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19: And when she had done giving im drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have done drinking."
20: And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the spring to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21: And the man eagerly watching her held his peace, to know whether Yahaveh had made his journey prosperous or not.
23: And said, "Whose daughter are you? tell me I pray you: is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in?"
24: And she said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, which she bare to Nahor."
25: She said moreover to him, "We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in."
28: And the damsel ran and told them of her mother's house these things.
29: And Rebekah had a brother, and his nam was Laban (=white): and Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
30: And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "Thus spoke the man to me;" that he came to the man; and, behold he stood by the camels at the spring. (Character of Laban. Rebekah showed kindness before she saw)
31: And Laban said, "Come in, you blessed of Yehovah; why do you stand outside? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels."
32: And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the mens feet that were with him.
35: And (note the number of items which went to make up Abraham's wealth. 12 "and's", 3x4=12=abundance of earthly wealth) the Lord (Yehovah) has blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and He has given him flocks, and heards, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
36: And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old, and to him has He given all that he has.
38: But you shall go to my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife to my son.'
39: And I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.'
40: And he said to me, 'The Lord (Yahaveh), before Whom I walk habitually, will send His angel with you, and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my fater's house:
41: Then shall you be clear from this your oath, when you cme to my kindred, an if they give you not one, you shall be clear from my oath.'
43: Behold, I stand by the spring of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin comes forth to draw water, and I say to her, 'Give me, I pray you, a little water of our pitcher to drink;'
44: And she say to me, 'Both drink you, and I will also draw for the camels:' let the same be the woman whom Yahaveh has appointed out for my master's son.'
45: And before I had done speaking in my heart (=mind), behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew water.
46: And she made haste, and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will give your camels drink also:' so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47: And I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' and she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare to him:' and I put the earring upon her nose, and the bracelet upon her hands.
50: Then Laban and Bethel answered and said, "The thing proceeds from the Lord (Yehovah): we cannot speak to you good or bad.
51: Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her, and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, according as Yahaveh has spoken." (Laban regarded Yahaveh as arranging all)
52: And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord (Yahaveh), bowing himself to the earth.
53: And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and a change of garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.24:-54-67. Eleazar's Mission And Return.
n² w -54-. The return desired.
x y -54. Request for departure made.
z 55. Departure hindered.
x y 56. Request for departure renewed.
z 57-60. Departure expedited.
w 61-67. The return consummated.
54: And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night;
55: And her brother and her mother said, "Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at least 10 days (seven days = a week, but ten or a decad = 1/3 of a month, sometimes reckoned as a longer but strictly defined period), after that she shall go."
58: And they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go."
59: And they sent Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham'sservant, and his men.
60: And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "You are our sister, be you therefore mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed posses the cities of those which hate them."
62: And Isaac came from the spring Lahai-roi (=the spring of life and vision); for he dwelt in the south country.
63: And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at dusk (Refers back to historical context, 23:19. The death and burial of Sarah, his mother. What follows this digression, of which Isaac as yet knew nothing, in 24:1-67 shows that Isaac went out, not to "meditate", or to "pray", or "take a walk", or "muster the flocks", but to mourn. This is the meaning of the Heb. sach in Ps.44:25. Lam.3:20): and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
64: And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she fell off the camel. (or alighted hastily)
65: For she said to the servant, "What man is this that walks in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "It is my master:" therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.
66: And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.25:1-4. The Posterity of Keturah.
25)
1: And Abraham took a wife (=another, instead of "again"), and her name was Keturah (=increase, the second wife after Sarah's death).
3: And Jokshan begat Sheba (=seven, or oath), and Dedan (=low country). And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim (=steps), and Letushim (=hammered), and Leummim (=peoples).
4: And the sons of Midian; Ephah (=gloomy), and Epher (=calf), and Hanoch (=dedicated), and Abidah (=father of knowledge), and Eldaah (=favored of God?). All these were the children of Keturah.25:5-11. Abraham's Histroy. Death.
6: But to the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country.
7: And these are the days of Abraham's life which he lived, 175 years. (Therefore a sojourner for 100 years, cp. 12:4)
8: Then Abraham gave up the ghost (i.e. spirit), and died in a good old age, an old man, and satisfied with days; and he was gathered to his people. (An idiomatic Euphemism for death and burial. Abraham's "people" were idolaters-Josh.24:2. See note on 2 Sam.12:13)
9: And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah (see 23:9), in the field of Ephron the son of Zoar the Hittite, which is before Mamre.
10: The field which Abraham purchased (see 23:16) of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
11: And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God (Elohim) blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the spring of life and vision.25:12-18. The Generations of Ishmael.
C A 12. Ishmael. Birth.
B 13-16. His sons. Names and dwelling.
A 17. Ishmael. Death.
B 18. His sons. Their dwelling.
12: Now these are THE GENERATIONS OF ISHMAEL, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian (i.e. from the land of Egypt, not of Egyptian blood), Sarah's handmaid, bare to Abraham.
13: And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth (=heights); and Kedar (=dark-skined), and Adbeel (=offspring of God), and Mibsam (=sweet odor),
14: And Mishma (=a hearing), and Duhma (=silence), and Massa (=burden),
15: Hadar (=naughty), and Tema (=a desert), Jetur (=an enclosure), Naphish (=refreshment), and Kedemah (=eastward):
16: These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are there names, by their town, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. (#12=Governmental completion/perfection, whether Good or Bad)
18: And they dwelt from Havilah (=circle) to Shur (
F A 25:19. The birth of Isaac. B a 25:20-22. Marriage with Rebekah. b 25:23-28. Isaac's two sons. C 25:29-24. Esau and Jacob. D E 26:1. Journey to Gerar. F 26:2-5. Appearance of Yahaveh. G c 26:6-11. Isaac's wife. d 26:12-22. Seperation from Abimelech. D E 26:23. Journey to Beer-sheba. F 26:24,25. Appearance of Yahaveh. G d 26:26-33. Covenant with Abimelech. c 26:34,35. Esau's wives. C 27:1-35:15. Esau and Jacob. B a 35:16-20. Death of Rachel. b 35:21-26. Israel's 12 sons. A 35:27-29. The death of Isaac.19: And the are THE GENERATIONS OF ISAAC, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: (same form of verb as in Ch.5; used of the Godly seed)
1856 B.C.
20: And Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah his wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian (not of that blood line, but in that geographical location) of Padam-aram (=the table land of height), the sister of Laban the Syrian (same as above).
21: And Isaac intreated the Lord (Yahaveh) for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord (Yahaveh) was intreated by him, and Rebekah his wife concieved.
22: And the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it be so, why am I this way?" (i.e. why is this happening in my womb?) and she went to enquire of the Lord (Yehovah).
23: And the Lord (Yehovah) said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be seperated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." (Down through the many generations this has become the 2 Super-powers of today, U.S. & Russia. Even though Russia is week right now she will rise up in the end times. Don't fall asleep!)
24: And when the days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25: And the first one came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau (=red, ruddy, hairy).
26: And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel (Heb. yakob, where the name Jacob, heel catcher: hence contender, in place of): and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was 60 years old when she bare them.
1836 B.C.
27: And the boys grew: and Esau was skilled in hunting, a man of the field ("The field is the world". He was a worldly man not a Godly man); and Jacob was an upright man (or pure in heart), dwelling in tents.
28: And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison (=Heb. hunting, hunting put for what was caught. Eating was strong in Esau too. It was "the will of the flesh" which Isaac's faith overcame in Ch.27, for he wished to bless Esau, and he loved his savory meat. See 27:3,4. Cp. Heb.11:20): but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29: And Jacob boiled food in a pot (Jacob planned well and stored food, where Esau hunted and found food by chance): and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: (he was starving to death)
30: And Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me, I pray you, with that same delicious red food (=lentils, see v.34); for I am faint:" therefore was his name called Edom. (=red, ruddy. Russia has been the "red nation" for many years since 1917 when Communism took over. We are talking about the system of government not the people necessarilly. Communism does not work. It is ungodly, it does not provide for the people. That is why they [descendants of Esau] are always begging from the U.S. [descendants of Jacob/Israel]. See 27:28)
31: And Jacob said, "Sell me as on this day your birthright." (This included: 1. The Father's blessing and supremacy [which went to Jacob, Ch.27, and Judah, 49:8. 1 Chron.5:1,2]; 2. A double portion [which went to Joseph Ch.48. 1 Chron.5:1,2]; and 3. The Domestic Preisthood [which after going to the firstborn of each family was vested in Levi for the whole nation, Num.3:6,12. Cp. Num.16:1-3].)
32: And Esau said, "Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit sell this birthright do to me? I will sell it."
33: And Jacob said, "Swear to me as on this very day:" and he sware to him: and he sold his ware to Jacob. (Esau treated his birthright as merchandice)
about 1812 B.C.
34: And Esau gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils: And (4 "and's" = the number of the earth, marking the deliberation of Esau's acts, and their solemn significance, he despised grace) he did eat an drink, and rose up, and went his way: Thus Esau despised his birthright. (He hated it. He did not care about his Father [in heaven], hence in Heb.12:16 he is called "a profane person".)
2: Andthe Lord (Yahaveh) appeared to him, and said, "Go not down into Egypt (as Abraham did in 12:10); dwell in the land which I shall tell you of:
3: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for to you (So to each Patriarch, father of a tribe: Abraham 13:15, Jacob 28:13 &c., involving resurrection. See 50:24, and cp. Ex.3:6 and Matt.22:23-33), and to your seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware to Abraham your father;
4: And I will make your seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give to your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed: (That is only through Christ that ALL races are blessed even though they are not of the same blood)
5: Because that Abraham obeyed MY (repeated 5 times for emphasis, #5 = grace) voice (to be heard and believed, Rom.10:17), and keep My charge (to be observed), My commandments (to be obeyed), My statutes (=decrees, to be acknowledged), and My laws." (instructions to be followed)
6: And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
7: And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said (as Abraham had said, see 20:12), "She is my sister:" for he feared to say, "She is my wife;" "lest", said he, "the men of this place should kill me for Rebekah;" because she was fair to look upon.
8: And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was carressing Rebekah his wife.
9: And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, "Behold, of a surety she is your wife: and how is it you said, 'She is my sister?' " And Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'Lest I die for her.' "
10: And Abimelech said, "What is this that you have done to us? one of the people might lightly lied with your wife, and you should have brought guiltinesss (=tresspass) upon us."
11: And Abimelech charged all his people, saying (one of the laws given and observed before Moses), "He that touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death."
12: Then Isaac sowed in the land, and found in the same year a hundred fold: and the Lord (Yehovah) blessed him.
13: And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
14: For he had possession of flocks, and possessions of herds, and a great body of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
15: For the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stoped them up, and filled them with earth.
16: And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go from us; for you are much mightier than we."
17: And Isaac departed from that place, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar (some distance from the city), and dwelt there.
18: And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father. (Isaac a placid character: shown by his obedience [22:6,8], his meekness in betrothel [24], his mourning for his mother [24:63-67; cp. note on v.63], his following his father's steps to Gerar [20:1] in denying his wife there [20], his finding an Abimelech and phicol there, and digging wells there, renewing the oath and renaming the well); for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. (cp. the 4 names and their special meaning)
19: And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a spring of living water. (see 21:19)
20: And the herdsmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours;" and he called the name of the well Esek (=strife, or contention) because the strove with him.
21: And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah (=opposition).
22: And he removed from there, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth (=roominess); and he said, "For me Yehovah has made room for us, and we shall be fruitfull in the land."
23: And he went up to Beer-sheba (=the well of the oath).
24: And the Lord (Yehovah) appeared to him the same night, and said, "I am the God (Elohim) of Abraham your father: fear not, for I am with you, and wll bless you, and multiply your seed for My servant Abraham's sake."
25: And he built an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord (Yehovah), and pitched his tent there: and Isaac digged a well.
26: Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath (=possessions), one of his friends, and Phicol (an official millitary tittle, cp.21:22) the chief captain of his army.
27: And Isaac said to him, "Why do you come to me, seeing you all hate me, and have sent me away from you?"
28: And they said, "We saw certainly that the Lord (Yahaveh) was with you (=seeing we saw.): and we said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you;
29: That you will do not hurt, as we have not touched you (emphasising the fact that so far from injuring him any way that they had shown him favor), and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace:' you are now blessed of Yehovah."
30: And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
31: And they rose up early in the morning, and swore one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
32: And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said to him, "We have found water."
33: And he called it Sheba (=an oath): therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba to this day. (Same name given by Abraham. Names were sometimes reimposed for a new reason. Cp. Bethel 28:18,19 with 35:6,7, and Israel 32:28 with 35:10)
1796 B.C.
34: And Esau was 40 years old when he took to wife Judith (praised. She had a second name Aholibamah = my tabernacle is exalted) the daughter of Beeri (=spring man, for discovering the hot springs , his second name was Anah = the one who answers) the Hittite (i.e. the general name, see 1 Kings 10:29), and Bashemath (=fragrant, pleasing, her second name was Adah =ornament, beauty) the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
35: Which were a grief to the spirit of Isaac and to Rebekah. (grief put for that which caused it. No wonder it caused "bitterness of spirit" when we remember who the Canaanite were.)