Bible Commentaries
Genesis 25

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 25:1, The sons of Abraham by Keturah; Genesis 25:5, The division of his goods; Genesis 25:7, His age, death, and burial; Genesis 25:11, God blesses Isaac; Genesis 25:12, The generations of Ishmael; Genesis 25:17, His age and death; Genesis 25:19, Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren; Genesis 25:22, The children strive in her womb; Genesis 25:24, The birth of Esau and Jacob; Genesis 25:27, Their different characters and pursuits; Genesis 25:29, Esau sells his birthright.

Verse 1

am cir, 2151, bc cir, 1853, Genesis 23:1, Genesis 23:2, Genesis 28:1, 1 Chronicles 1:32, 1 Chronicles 1:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 17:4 - a father Genesis 25:6 - concubines Genesis 30:4 - to wife Genesis 37:25 - Ishmeelites Genesis 37:36 - the Midianites Numbers 31:2 - the Midianites Habakkuk 3:7 - Midian Romans 4:17 - I have

Verse 2

am cir, 2152, bc cir, 1852

she bare: 1 Chronicles 1:32, 1 Chronicles 1:33, Jeremiah 25:25, Zimri

Midian: Genesis 36:35, Genesis 37:28, Genesis 37:36, Exodus 2:15, Exodus 2:16, Exodus 18:1-4, Numbers 22:4, Numbers 25:17, Numbers 25:18, Numbers 31:2, Numbers 31:8, Judges 6:1 - Judges 8:35

Shuah: Job 2:11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:18 - Midian 1 Chronicles 1:46 - Midian Jeremiah 25:24 - the mingled

Verse 3

am cir, 2180, bc cir, 1824

Sheba: 1 Kings 10:1, Job 6:19, Psalms 72:10

Dedan: Jeremiah 25:23, Jeremiah 49:8, Ezekiel 25:13, Ezekiel 27:20

Asshurim: 2 Samuel 2:9, Ezekiel 27:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:28 - General 2 Chronicles 9:1 - Sheba Job 1:15 - Sabeans Psalms 83:8 - Assur Isaiah 21:13 - O ye Isaiah 60:6 - all Ezekiel 27:15 - Dedan Ezekiel 27:23 - Sheba

Verse 4

am cir, 2200, bc cir, 1804

Ephah: Isaiah 60:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:15 - Midian 1 Kings 11:18 - Midian 1 Chronicles 5:3 - Hanoch

Verse 5

am cir, 2175, bc cir, 1829, Genesis 21:10-12, Genesis 24:36, Psalms 68:18, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 28:18, John 3:35, John 17:2, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:32, Romans 9:7-9, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 4:28, Colossians 1:19, Hebrews 1:2, Isaac typified the Son of God, "whom HE hath appointed Heir of all things.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 21:17 - by giving 2 Samuel 5:13 - General 1 Chronicles 2:48 - concubine Ezekiel 46:16 - If the prince

Verse 6

concubines: Genesis 25:1, Genesis 16:3, Genesis 30:4, Genesis 30:9, Genesis 32:22, Genesis 35:22, Judges 19:1, Judges 19:2, Judges 19:4

gifts: Psalms 17:14, Psalms 17:15, Matthew 5:45, Luke 11:11-13, Acts 14:17

sent: Genesis 21:14

east country: Arabia Deserta, which was eastward of Beer-sheba, where Abraham dwelt. Judges 6:3, Job 1:1, Job 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:10 - Cast out Genesis 22:24 - concubine Deuteronomy 21:17 - by giving 2 Samuel 5:13 - General 1 Kings 4:30 - the children 1 Chronicles 2:48 - concubine 1 Chronicles 8:8 - he had 2 Chronicles 11:23 - dispersed 2 Chronicles 21:3 - gave them Jeremiah 49:28 - spoil Ezekiel 46:16 - If the prince Matthew 2:1 - from

Verse 7

am 2183, bc 1821, Genesis 12:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:15 - good Genesis 25:8 - gathered Genesis 25:17 - these are Genesis 35:28 - General Genesis 35:29 - Isaac Genesis 47:9 - have not 2 Samuel 19:32 - fourscore Job 42:16 - an

Verse 8

gave: Genesis 25:17, Genesis 35:18, Genesis 49:33, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Acts 12:23

good: Genesis 15:15, Genesis 35:28, Genesis 35:29, Genesis 47:8, Genesis 47:9, Genesis 49:29, Judges 8:32, 1 Chronicles 29:28, Job 5:26, Job 42:17, Proverbs 20:29, Jeremiah 6:11

gathered: Genesis 25:7, Genesis 35:29, Genesis 49:33, Numbers 20:24, Numbers 27:13, Judges 2:10, Acts 13:36

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:26 - the number Numbers 31:2 - gathered Deuteronomy 31:16 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 32:50 - be gathered Joshua 23:1 - waxed old 2 Kings 22:20 - I will gather 1 Chronicles 23:1 - old 2 Chronicles 24:15 - and was full of days Job 41:32 - hoary Psalms 91:16 - With long life Ecclesiastes 3:20 - go Hebrews 11:13 - all died

Verse 9

Isaac: Genesis 21:9, Genesis 21:10, Genesis 35:29

in the cave: Genesis 23:9-20, Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:30, Genesis 50:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:15 - buried Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael Genesis 23:17 - the field Genesis 23:19 - General Genesis 23:20 - for a Genesis 47:30 - General Genesis 49:31 - General

Verse 10

The field: Genesis 23:16

there: Genesis 49:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:3 - Heth Genesis 23:19 - General

Verse 11

after: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 17:19, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 50:24

La-hai-roi: Genesis 16:14, Genesis 24:62

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:35 - the Lord Genesis 26:1 - And Isaac

Verse 12

Genesis 16:10-15, Genesis 17:20, Genesis 21:13, Psalms 83:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:4 - the generations Genesis 16:15 - Hagar Genesis 21:18 - I will Genesis 36:43 - their 1 Chronicles 1:29 - The firstborn 1 Chronicles 5:10 - the Hagarites Jeremiah 25:24 - the mingled Galatians 4:24 - Agar

Verse 13

the names: 1 Chronicles 1:29-31

Nebajoth: From Nebajoth sprang the Nabatheans, who inhabited Arabia Petraea; from Kedar, the Cedreans, who dwelt near the Nabatheans; and from Jetur, the Itureans, who inhabited a small tract of country east of Jordan, which afterwards belonged to Manasseh. Genesis 36:3, Isaiah 60:7

Kedar: Psalms 120:5, Song of Solomon 1:5, Isaiah 21:16, Isaiah 21:17, Isaiah 42:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:9 - unto Ishmael Judges 8:6 - General Judges 8:24 - because Isaiah 60:6 - Midian Jeremiah 2:10 - Kedar Jeremiah 49:28 - Kedar Ezekiel 27:21 - Kedar

Verse 14

Dumah: Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:16

Verse 15

Hadar: or, Hadad, More than 300 manuscripts and printed editions read Hadad, as in 1 Chronicles 1:30.

Tema: 1 Chronicles 5:19, Job 2:11

Naphish: These are evidently the same people mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:19, who, with the Itureans, assisted the Hagarenes against the Israelites, but were overcome by the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 1:31 - Jetur Job 6:19 - Tema Isaiah 21:14 - Tema Jeremiah 25:23 - Dedan

Verse 16

castles: The word tiroth, rendered "castles," is supposed by some to denote here "towers," fortified rocks, or mountain-tops, and fastnesses of various kinds in woods and hilly countries; but it rather means, "shepherds' cots," surrounded by sufficient enclosures to prevent the cattle from straying, as the cognate Syriac word teyaro, and Arabic tawar, signify "a sheep-fold."

twelve: Genesis 17:20, Genesis 17:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:25 - Ishmeelites 1 Chronicles 6:54 - castles

Verse 17

am 2231, bc 1773

these are: Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:8

gathered: Genesis 15:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:29 - Isaac Genesis 49:33 - and yielded Numbers 20:24 - gathered Numbers 27:13 - thou also Numbers 31:2 - gathered Deuteronomy 32:50 - be gathered Judges 2:10 - General Ecclesiastes 3:20 - go

Verse 18

Havilah: Genesis 2:11, Genesis 10:7, Genesis 10:29, Genesis 20:1, Genesis 21:14, Genesis 21:21

as thou: Genesis 13:10

toward: 2 Kings 23:29, Isaiah 19:23, Isaiah 19:24

died: Heb. fell, Genesis 14:10, Psalms 78:64

in the: Genesis 16:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:14 - toward the east of Genesis 16:7 - the fountain Exodus 15:22 - wilderness of Shur 1 Samuel 15:7 - Havilah 1 Samuel 27:9 - left neither 1 Chronicles 1:23 - Havilah Ezekiel 23:23 - the Assyrians

Verse 19

am 2108, bc 1896

Abraham: 1 Chronicles 1:32, Matthew 1:2, Luke 3:34, Acts 7:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:4 - the generations Genesis 21:10 - Cast out

Verse 20

am 2148, bc 1856

when he: Genesis 22:23, Genesis 24:67

the Syrian: Genesis 24:29, Genesis 28:5, Genesis 28:6, Genesis 31:18, Genesis 31:20, Genesis 31:24, Genesis 35:9, Deuteronomy 26:5, Luke 4:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:1 - was old Genesis 25:26 - Isaac was Genesis 28:2 - Padanaram Genesis 29:1 - came Genesis 33:18 - a city of Shechem Genesis 35:26 - in Padanaram Genesis 46:15 - Padanaram Genesis 48:7 - Padan

Verse 21

am 2167, bc 1837

entreated: 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:27, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 65:2, Psalms 91:15, Isaiah 45:11, Isaiah 58:9, Isaiah 65:24, Luke 1:13

because: Genesis 11:30, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:3, Genesis 16:2, Genesis 17:16-19, 1 Samuel 1:2, Luke 1:7

and the: 1 Chronicles 5:20, 2 Chronicles 33:13, Ezra 8:23, Psalms 145:19, Proverbs 10:24

and Rebekah: Romans 9:10-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:1 - bare Genesis 29:31 - he opened Genesis 30:2 - Am I Genesis 30:22 - opened Judges 13:2 - barren Ruth 4:13 - the Lord 2 Kings 4:14 - she hath no child Psalms 113:9 - maketh Luke 1:25 - hath Acts 7:8 - and Isaac

Verse 22

am 2168, bc 1836

inquire: 1 Samuel 9:9, 1 Samuel 10:22, 1 Samuel 22:15, 1 Samuel 28:6, 1 Samuel 30:8, Ezekiel 20:31, Ezekiel 36:37

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:29 - be lord Judges 6:13 - if the Lord Luke 1:41 - the babe John 1:13 - nor of the will of the Romans 9:12 - The elder

Verse 23

Two nations: Genesis 17:16, Genesis 24:60

two manner: Genesis 25:27, Genesis 32:6, Genesis 33:3, Genesis 36:31, Numbers 20:14

the elder: Genesis 27:29, Genesis 27:40, 2 Samuel 8:14, 1 Kings 22:47, 1 Chronicles 18:13, 2 Chronicles 25:11, 2 Chronicles 25:12, Psalms 60:8, Psalms 60:9, Psalms 83:5-15, Isaiah 34:1-17, Isaiah 63:1-6, Jeremiah 49:7-22, Ezekiel 25:12-14, Ezekiel 35:1-15, Amos 1:11, Amos 1:12, Obadiah 1:1-16, Malachi 1:2-5, Romans 9:10-13

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:1 - eldest son Genesis 27:8 - General Genesis 27:13 - Upon Genesis 27:37 - I have Genesis 36:6 - went 1 Samuel 17:14 - the youngest 1 Kings 11:15 - after he had 1 Chronicles 5:1 - and Isaiah 42:11 - Kedar Romans 9:12 - The elder

Verse 24

Reciprocal: Genesis 36:1 - General Deuteronomy 23:7 - he is thy Joshua 24:4 - unto Isaac 1 Chronicles 1:34 - The sons of Isaac

Verse 25

Esau: The word Esau has been generally considered to imply made, formed, or perfected; or perfect, robust, etc. But it appears to be a dialectical variation of the Arabic atha, to be covered with hair; whence athai, hairy, as no doubt the word Esau imports, in allusion to the circumstance of his being covered with red hair or down at his birth. Genesis 27:11, Genesis 27:16, Genesis 27:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:19 - I am

Verse 26

And after: Genesis 38:28-30

took: Hosea 12:3

Jacob: Genesis 27:36

Isaac was: Genesis 25:20

Reciprocal: Matthew 1:2 - Isaac begat Luke 3:34 - which was the son of Isaac

Verse 27

a cunning: Genesis 10:9, Genesis 21:20, Genesis 27:3-5, Genesis 27:40

a plain man: Genesis 6:9, Genesis 28:10, Genesis 28:11, Genesis 31:39-41, Genesis 46:34, Job 1:1, Job 1:8, Job 2:3, Psalms 37:37

dwelling: Hebrews 11:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:20 - dwell Genesis 13:5 - tents Genesis 25:23 - two manner Genesis 27:12 - a deceiver Genesis 34:13 - deceitfully Jeremiah 35:6 - Ye shall Jeremiah 35:7 - all Hosea 12:9 - yet

Verse 28

he did eat of his venison: Heb. venison was in his mouth, Genesis 27:4, Genesis 27:19, Genesis 27:25, Genesis 27:31

Rebekah: Genesis 27:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:14 - mother Genesis 48:19 - I know it John 1:13 - nor of the will of the

Verse 29

am 2199, bc 1805

and he: Judges 8:4, Judges 8:5, 1 Samuel 14:28, 1 Samuel 14:31, Proverbs 13:25, Isaiah 40:30, Isaiah 40:31

Reciprocal: Matthew 4:3 - command

Verse 30

with that same red pottage: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage, This, we are informed - Genesis 25:34, was of lentiles, a sort of pulse.

Edom: i.e. red, Genesis 36:1, Genesis 36:9, Genesis 36:43, Exodus 15:15, Numbers 20:14-21, Deuteronomy 23:7, 2 Kings 8:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:14 - Give me Genesis 32:3 - Edom Jeremiah 49:7 - Edom Ezekiel 32:29 - Edom

Verse 31

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:36 - Jacob Genesis 32:28 - with men Deuteronomy 21:17 - the right Hebrews 12:16 - as Esau

Verse 32

at the point to die: Heb. going to die

and what: Job 21:15, Job 22:17, Job 34:9, Malachi 3:14

birthright: Exodus 22:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:26 - What profit Deuteronomy 21:17 - by giving Romans 3:1 - advantage

Verse 33

Swear: Genesis 14:22, Genesis 24:3, Mark 6:23, Hebrews 6:16

and he sold: Genesis 27:36, Genesis 36:6, Genesis 36:7, Hebrews 12:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:31 - sware Genesis 27:13 - Upon Genesis 27:29 - be lord

Verse 34

eat: Ecclesiastes 8:15, Isaiah 22:13, 1 Corinthians 15:32

thus Esau: Psalms 106:24, Zechariah 11:13, Matthew 22:5, Matthew 26:15, Luke 14:18-20, Acts 13:41, Philippians 3:18, Philippians 3:19, Hebrews 12:16, Hebrews 12:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:30 - with that same red pottage Genesis 27:36 - he took Numbers 14:31 - the land Deuteronomy 21:17 - by giving