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Matthew Henry on Genesis 26:18-25
Isaac met with much opposition in digging wells. Two were called Contention and Hatred. See the nature of worldly things; they make quarrels, and are occasions of strife; and what is often the lot of the most quiet and…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 26:26-33
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him, Pr 16:7. Kings' hearts are in his hands, and when he pleases, he can turn them to favour his people. It is not wrong to stand upon o…
Isaac's Covenant with Abimelech. (b. c. 1760.)
ISAAC'S COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH. (B. C. 1760.) We have here the contests that had been between Isaac and the Philistines issuing in a happy peace and reconciliation. I. Abimelech pays a friendly visit to Isaac, in token…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 26:34-35
Esau was foolish in marrying two wives together, and still more in marrying Canaanites, strangers to the blessing of Abraham, and subject to the curse of Noah. It grieved his parents that he married without their advice…
Esau's Foolish Marriage. (b. c. 1760.)
ESAU'S FOOLISH MARRIAGE. (B. C. 1760.) Here is, 1. Esau's foolish marriage—foolish, some think, in marrying two wives together, for which perhaps he is called a fornicator (Hebrews 12:16), or rather in marrying Canaanit…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 27:1-5
The promises of the Messiah, and of the land of Canaan, had come down to Isaac. Isaac being now about 135 years of age, and his sons about 75, and not duly considering the Divine word concerning his two sons, that the e…
Rebekah's Contrivance. (b. c. 1760.)
REBEKAH'S CONTRIVANCE. (B. C. 1760.) Here is, I. Isaac's design to make his will, and to declare Esau his heir. The promise of the Messiah and the land of Canaan was a great trust, first committed to Abraham, inclusive…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:1
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old,—according to the generally accepted calculation, in his one hundred and thirty-seventh year. Joseph, having been introduced to Pharaoh in his thirtieth year (Genesis 41:46),…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:1-14
The stolen blessing: a domestic drama. 1. Issac and Rebekah, or plotting and counterplotting. I. THE SCHEME OF ISAAC. 1. Its sinful object. The heavenly oracle having with no uncertain sound proclaimed Jacob the theocra…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:1-14
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:2
And he (i.e. Isaac) said, Behold now, I am old, and know not the day of my death. Isaac had manifestly become apprehensive of the near approach of dissolution. His failing sight, and probably the recollection that Ishma…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:3
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons,—the word "weapon" signifying a utensil, vessel, or finished instrument of any sort (cf. Genesis 14:1-24 :53; Genesis 31:37; Genesis 45:20). Here it manifestly denotes weapon…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:4
And make me savory meat,—"delicious food," from a root whose primary idea is to taste, or try the flavor, of a thing. Schultens observes that the corresponding Arabic term is specially applied to dishes made of flesh ta…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:5
And Rebekah (who, though younger than Isaac, must also have been old) heard when Isaac spake—literally, in the speaking of Isaac; בְּ with the inf. forming a periphrasis for the gerund, and being commonly rendered by wh…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 27:6-17
Rebekah knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob, and expected he would have it. But she wronged Isaac by putting a cheat on him; she wronged Jacob by tempting him to wickedness. She put a stumbling-block in Esau's…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 27:6-17
Rebekah is here contriving to procure for Jacob the blessing which was designed for Esau; and here, I. The end was good, for she was directed in this intention by the oracle of God, by which she had been governed in dis…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:8
Now therefore, my son,—Jacob at this time was not a lad, but a grown man of mature years, which shows that in the following transaction he was rather an accomplice than a tool—obey my voice according to that which I com…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:11
And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man (vide Genesis 25:25) and I am a smooth man— חָלָק, smooth (opposed to שָׂעִיר," hairy); the primary idea of which is to cut off the hair. Cf.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:12
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver;—literally, shall be in his eyes as a scorer (Keil, Lange), with the idea of mocking at his aged sire's infirmities—ὡς καταφρονῶν (LXX.); or a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:13
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son (cf. Genesis 43:9; 1 Samuel 25:24; 2 Samuel 14:9; Matthew 27:25). Tempted to regard Rebekah's words as the utterance of a bold and unscrupulous woman (Aben Ezra…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:14
And he went (sc. to the flock), and fetched,—or, rather, took (sc. the two kids as directed) and brought them (after slaughter, of course) to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved. All th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:15-29
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:15
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau,—literally, the robes of Esau her son the elder—the desirable, i.e. the handsome ones. The בֶּגֶד was an outer garment worn by the Oriental (Genesis 39:12, Genesis…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:15-29
The stolen blessing: a domestic drama.-2. Isaac and Jacob, or the successful stratagem. I. JACOB'S DECEPTION OF ISAAC. Jacob's impersonation of Esau was— 1. Deftly prepared. The ingenious Rebekah, having dressed him in…