a25:19–35:29
b25:27-34
c27–33
d25:19-26
eHos 12:3
f25:19-20
g25:21
h25:20
j16:1
k25:22
l20:7
m25:23
n48:12-14
oMal 1:1-3
pRom 9:11-16
q25:24-26
r25:25
s25:27-34
t25:34
uHeb 12:16
vLev 26:22
wDeut 7:22
x1 Cor 15:32
y25:26
z27:36

‏ Genesis 25:19-26

Summary for Gen 25:19: 25:19–35:29  a This account of the family of Isaac, the chosen son of Abraham, mostly recounts Jacob’s struggle for the blessing (25:27-34  b; chs 27–33  c).
Summary for Gen 25:19-26: 25:19-26  d Jacob’s struggle for supremacy began before the twins were born (see Hos 12:3  e).
Summary for Gen 25:19-20: 25:19-20  f Isaac ... married Rebekah: Isaac’s marriage tied him and his family even more closely to Abraham’s ancestors. Had he married a Canaanite, the covenant faith would have been imperiled by this corrupt, syncretistic people.
25:21  g For twenty years, Rebekah was barren (cp. 25:20  h, 26  i), like Sarah (see 16:1  j). This condition tested their faith (see study note on 16:1-3). How could they be childless when God promised that nations would issue from them?

• Isaac pleaded with the Lord and the Lord answered Isaac’s prayer. Isaac apparently learned from his father’s mistake and responded in faith.
25:22  k When the pregnancy was difficult, Rebekah went to ask the Lord about it, probably by visiting a prophet—perhaps Abraham (20:7  l; see study note on 25:7-8).
25:23  m rivals: Jacob and Esau fought in the womb, and their descendants (Israel and Edom) fought continuously throughout their history. In their many conflicts, Israel achieved supremacy over Edom.

• your older son will serve your younger son: God’s choice of the younger son over the elder ran against natural order (cp. 48:12-14  n; see Mal 1:1-3  o; Rom 9:11-16  p).
Summary for Gen 25:24-26: 25:24-26  q When the twins were born, the unusual circumstances inspired each boy’s name and hinted at what would happen to them in the future.
25:25  r Two wordplays anticipate Esau’s later life. Esau sounds like Hebrew se‘ar, which means “hair”; Esau’s later homeland, Edom, was known as Seir (“hairy”) because it was wooded (as though covered with hair).

• red (Hebrew ’admoni) sounds like Esau’s other name, Edom (25:27-34  s); Edom had red soil.

• Esau’s >hair was like the fur coat of an animal, foreshadowing his unspiritual character (25:34  t; Heb 12:16  u; cp. Lev 26:22  v; Deut 7:22  w; 1 Cor 15:32  x). The description of the child uses words that highlight the Edomites’ nature.
25:26  y The name Jacob (Hebrew ya‘aqob, from Hebrew ‘aqeb, “heel, footprint”) was originally positive, meaning “protect” (like a rear guard), but it took on the negative meaning of “heel grabber” or “deceiver” in the context of Jacob’s deceptive, grasping, usurping character (see 27:36  z).
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