Observations Upon the Old Testament

CHAP. XXIII.

Verse 1. THese were the years of the life of Sarah ] How long any other woman lived is not recorded in Scripture. She lived sixty years in Ur, five in Haran, twenty five in Canaan, (almost all) before she had Isaac, and thirty seven after in Canaan, most at Geraa and Beer-sheba, until her death in Kiriath-arba or Hibron.

V. 2. Kiriath-arba, the same is Hebron] V. 19. Judges 1. 10. This city was first called Mamre, ch. 13, 18. Here Abraham and Isaac sojourned; and hither Jacob came to his father Isaac, after his return from Laban, ch. 35. 27. This afterwards fell by lot in the tribe, and mountain or hill-country of Judah, Josh. 15. 54. And was given to the Priests for a City of Refuge, Josh. 20. 7. But the fields of the City (excepting the subuths,) and the villages thereof were given to Cale • , Josh. 21. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

and Abrahem came ] Out of his own Tent into Sarah's Tent, for they had several Tents, separated from each other, ch. 24. 67. So, ch. 31 33. It is possible that Abraham had not removed his dwelling from Beer-sheba to Hebron, but that Sarah upon some occasion travelling thither, there from home fell sick and died. And that from Beer-sheba Abraham should come and mourn for her, and take order for her burial. But it is not likely she should so travel in her extreme old age, nor so likely he would have in that manner buried her there, if they both had not removed and dwelled there, it being their ancient place of habitation. And wherever Abraham had been, as at Beer-sheba, as at Hebron, he must have bought an inheritance, if any he would have for any use, he being but a stranger and sojourn • in the land, Acts 7. 5.

to mourn and to weep ] So our Savior wept for Lazarus, John 11. 35. but it must be with moderation, as in hope and belief of the Resurrection, 1 Thess. 4 13. A little letter is here in the Original to note his moderation in weeping without excess.

V. 3. Stood up from before his dead ] Where likely he had sitten awhile on the earth, Job. 2. 12, 13. Isaiah 47. 1.

the sons of Heth ] The Governors and Elders of the Hittites, the inhabitants of Hebron, of the progeny of Cham, ch. 10. 15.

V. 4. Sojourner] He • . 11. 13, 14, 16.

a possession ] Leave to purchase it.

burying place] Abraham having lived sixty two years in this land, yet never purchased foot of inheritance, till now a burying place. This was a kind of taking possession of this promised land, Isaiah 22. 16. or a kind of pledge or prophetical sign that his posterity should come and inherit the land, as Jeremiah's buying his Uncles field was a sign of the Jews return into the possession of this land, Jer. 32. This made Jacob give charge to be buried here. And Joseph to have his bones carried into this land, not a foot; by God's gift, Acts 7. 5.

bury my dead ] Sowe it as seed in the ground, till the Resurrection, where they rest, as in their beds, till their change come.

out of my sight ] Death makes lovely Sarah, the desire of his eyes, now • athsome to his sight.

V. 6. A mighty Prince.] ch. 2 1. v. 22.

V. 9. For a possession ] Though they offered him the free use of the choice of their sepulchers, v. 6. yet he had rather pay for a propriety, then hold such a community with the heathen.

V. 9. Machpelah] Before Kiriath-arba, or Hebron, or Mamre, v. 17, • 9.

V. 10. And Ephron dwelt ] Or sat, being present in that assembly, though likely not known by face to Abraham. v. 8.

at the gates of the City ] There Assemblies used to be and places of Judicature, v. 18. ch. 34. 20. Deut. 17. 5. 21. 19. 22. 15, 24. 25. 7. Ruth 4. 1, 11. and in many other places, Prov. 31. 23.

V. 13. If thou Wilt give it; or be that Ephron.

I will give • v. 9 The like strivi • g in kindness is between David and Araunah, 2 Sam • 4. 21, 22, 23, 24.

V. 15. Shekels of silver ] See, ch. 20. 16. The common shekel little more then our shilling, viz. three pence, four hundred common shekels come to twenty five pounds; some make the common shekel to be one shilling eight pence; and the Royal or Kings shekel to be one shilling three pence, 2 Sam. 14. 26.

V. 16 Weighed ] Money paid by weight, not by tale, so, ch. 43. 21. Isaiah 55. 2. Jer. 22. 9. Zech. 11. 12.

V. 17 And the field of Ephron ] This is not that mentioned, Acts 7 • 6.

were made 〈◊〉 ] By payment and Witnesses, without Deeds and Writings; after Writings were used, Jer. 32 Now hardly will skillful Writings serve the turn.

V. 18. For a possession ] And monument to posterity, without distrust of God's Promises, or a renunciation of his own right, he buyeth a parcel of the land for his present necessity. The time of possession, according to the grant and promise being not yet come.

V. 19. Buried Sarah ] And so after himself was buried there: and Isaac and Rebecca. Jacob and Leah, ch. 25. 9, 49. 31. 50. 13. They testifying hereby their faith in God's promises, for the inheritance of this land, and of the heavenly Canaan figured by it, Mat. 27. 7.

V. 20. A burying place ] A seemly care is to be had of burial places.

CHAP. XXIV.

Verse 1. WAs old ] One hundred and forty years old, as may be gathered out of chap. 25. 20.

V. 2. His eldest servant ] Most likely his Steward Eleezer, ch. 15. 2. And this not without Isaac's consent, he being now forty years old.

thy hand under my thigh ] So Jacob required of Joseph, ch. 47. 29. It is a sign of subjection, 1 Chron 29. 24. yet in Scripture the most frequent ceremony used at swearing, is the lifting up the hand, as ch. 1 • 22. Exod. 6. 8. Numb. 14. 30. Deut. 32. 40. Ezech. • 0. 15. Dan. 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5, 6. The custom of several countries and religions hath been, and is very various for rites and gestures in this case. That Abraham by this gesture here should have any relation to the promised seed, to proceed out of his loins, is a reach, I fear, too far fetched.

V. 3. Swear ] A thing lawful; forbidden in vain▪ and light causes, and such was Herod's oath to the dancing dam • sel, Mar. 6. 23. forbidden in ordinary communication, Mat. 5. 34, 37. James 5. 12. But in weighty causes we may swear, and being thereunto lawfully called and warranted; so here. And so for ratification of Covenants and Promises of importance, so did Abraham and Abimelech sware, ch. 21. 31. so Isaac and Abimelech, ch 26. 31. so Jacob and Laban, ch. 31. 53. so David and Jonathan. 1 Sam. 20. 17. And • o God commands it, for removal of suspicions of jealousy, N • mh. 52 • . of theft, Exod. 22. 11. 1 Kings 8. 31. 2 Chron. 6. 22. And so many men in Scripture, upon weighty causes did lawfully require an oath; so did Abraham of his servant, Jacob of Esau, Gen. 25. 33. and of his son Joseph Gen. 47. 31. Rahab of the spies, Josh. 2. 12. Samson of the men of Jud • h, Judge. 15. 12. Saul and the Egyptian of David, 1 Sam. 24. 21. and 30. 15. Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah, 2 Chron 36. 13. And many in like cases freely and voluntarily gave their oaths; so Moses to Cal • b. Josh. 14. 9. David to Bathsheba, 1 Kings 1. 13. Gedaliah to the • emnan • of • udah, 2 Kings 25. 24. King Zedekiah to Jeremy, Jer. 38. • 6. The reason and end of all is, to assure men the more of faith and truth in words and promises; for in an oath men call God to be both a witness of the truth, and an avenger of the lie, and breach of promise. And so an oath binds the soul with a bond, Numb. • 0. 2. And hereupon the godly, to bind themselves the more to God, and his service, and good duties, have sworn to • he Lord, so David to find out an house and place for God's habitation, Psal. 132. 2. so the Priests, Levites and all Israel, to reform the strange marriages, Ezra 10. 5. so King Asa and all the people entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord, and they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with corn • s▪ 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13, 14. yea, God himself is mercifully pleased so far to condescend, as to swear unto men for their better assurance, and the confirmation of their faith in the truth of his promises, Heb. 6. 12,—18. so he sware to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Gen. 24. 7. 26. 3. Exod. 6. 8. Luke 1. 73. so to David, Psal. 89. 49. And sometimes in wrath, to ratify his threatenings against sinners, so, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. In sacred account then is the bond of an oath, Heb. 6. 16. it must be carefully taken, in truth, in righteousness, and in judgment, Jer. 4. 2. Not vainly or falsely, God's wrath is great against such oaths and oath-breakers, Exod. 20. 7. Levite. 19. 12. Hos. 4. 2. 10. 4. Jer. 23. 10. Ezek. 17. 15,—21. Zech. 5. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 5. It was Peters sin for which he wept so bitterly, Matth. 26. 74. 75. we must fear an oath, Eccles. 9. 2. though it be taken to men, yet it is called the oath of God, Eccl. 8. 2. Ezek. 17. 10. and therefore the godly man, though he sweareth to his own hurt, yet changeth not▪ Psal. 15. 4. Though the Gibeonites beguiled Joshua, and the Princes of Israel, yet say they, we must let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them, Josh. 9. 15, 19, 20.

by the Lord ] It is a part of our duty, and God's Worship, to swear by God's Name, Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. Isaiah 45. 23. 65. 16. Jer. 12. 16. Psa • . 63. 11. so Jacob sware to Laban by the fear of his father Isaac, Gen. 31. 53, 42. we must not swear by false gods, Josh. 23. 7. Jer. 12. 16. not by Baal, by the sin and idol of Samaria, the manner of Beer-sheba, by Malcham. Against such Swearers God threareneth his judgments, Jer. 5. 7. Amos. 8. 14. Zeph. 1. 5. nor must we swear by the creatures as if they were God, or we had power over them as our own, to pawn them on the truth of what we say, Mat 5. 34, 35, 36. and ch. 23. 16, 18, 20, 21, 22. James 5. 12.

of the daughters of the Canaanites] ch. 9. 25. 10. 15. 15. 16, 21. such was the sin of the old world, ch. 6. 2. This was Rebekah's grief at Esau, and fear, lest Jacob should do the like, ch. 27. 46. 28. 1, 2. Lest by marrying with idolaters his son or seed should be drawn from God, Deut. 7. 3, 4. And specially he would not have his seed and blood mixed with that cursed Nation, whose blood his posterity was to shed without pity, and to succeed in their place according to God's Promise. Therefore Moses forbids any Covenant wi • h them; neither would Abraham bu • y with them, ch. 23. 6, 20.

V. 4. Unto my Country ] the City of Nahor in Mesopotamia, v. 10. Haran or Charran (not Ur) ch. 29. 4. Here was the truest Worship of the true God, next to that in Abraham's family, though indeed v • ry much corrupted. Laban being an idolater, ch. 31. 30, 53. and after Jacob's marriage there also, some of that race in his family were not altogether free, ch. 31. v. 19, 32. 35. 2, 3, 4.

V. 5. Must I needs bring ] In case the woman will not yield to marry Isaac, to leave her country and come dwell in Canaan, but that he must yield to go and dwell there, in that case he des • res direction, and to know what his oath binds him unto.

bring] Isaac having undertaken to his father to be guided by him, and this servant in the business of his marriage bring him by persuasion.

again ] Not that Isaac had been there before, but Abraham, as, ch. 15. v. 16.

V. 6 Beware ] Yield not to any such condition. They there are too corrupt in Religion; and my son must not by going to dwell elsewhere, in a kind, renounce so the land of Promise. He must live here rather as a stranger and sojourner by faith as himself had done, Hebrews 11. 9.

V. 7. His Angel ] A ministering Spirit, Heb. 1. 14. for thy direction and protection.

V. 8. Clear] So, Josh. 2. 17.

V. 10. Master ] Or Lord. These two terms in Scripture are used indifferently, Mat. 17. 4. compared with Mar. 9. 5.

all the goods] V. 2. 53. ch. 39. 4.

•• n camels ] Numerous in those countries, 1 Chron. 5. 11. ten here, and servants to attend them, v. 59. and lading no doubt for them. This argues Abraham's wealth, and the servants trust. And it was fit for so long a journey, and to carry presents and gifts, v. 53. and that the kindred might see his Masters great estate.

Mesopotamia ] Between Tigris and Euphrates, called Padan. Aram, ch. 25. 20. Aram in the New Testament is usually called Syria, Mat. 4. 24.

City of Nahor ] See Annotations in ch. 11. 31. as Christ's City, i e. wherein he dwelt, Mat. 9. 1.

V. 11. Kneel down ] As the custom of those Camels was, to rest them, and to load and unload.

V. 12. And • e said ] In his heart, v. 45.

Good speed] V. 42. prosper my way. Luke 10. 31. the word chance is used.

and show kindness ] This kindness, in the words following.

V. 14. Let it come to pass ] No doubt this came into his mind by the special instinct of God's Spirit, v. 7. as that of Gideon, Judge. 6. 17, 37. and that of Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14. 9. without like warrant we may not attempt the like.

V. 15. Before he had done speaking] So, Isaiah 65. 24. Dan. 9 23.

her Pitcher ] Thus women employed in mean services, v. 11. 13. yea, great and good women, as here, and, ch. 18. 6. and, 29 9. Exod. 2. 16.

V. 17. Ran to meet her] v. 13. but had removed a little aloof off to give way • o Rebekah, and to mark her.

V. 22. Took a golden ear-ring ] To give her, as taking or receiving, Psal. 68. 19. is expounded giving. Eph. 4. 8. He puts the ear-ring upon her face, v. 47. after he had asked whose daughter she was.

Shekel ] See Annotat. on ch. 20. 16. and on ch. 23. 15. Half a shekel is called Bekah, Ex. 38. 26.

V. 26. Worshipped] v. 52. ch. 22. 5. Exod. 4. 31. This is more then kneeling, or bowing of the head. This is a prostrating of the whole body, a falling down upon the face to the ground, Psal. 95. 6. Luke. 5. 12. compared with Mat. 8. 2.

V. 27. Brethren ] Kinsfolk, v. 48. ch. 13. 8.

V. 28. Mothers house ] It seems the custom of those times and places, was for the women to dwell in tents and houses apar by themselves, v. 67. ch. 31. 33.

V. 32. And he ungirded] i. e. Laban.

and water to wash] Ch. 18. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 10. In those hot countries men used to go barefoot, or with sandals, open above.

V. 33. I will not eat] Eph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8.

V. 47. Upon her face ] Some were worn in the ear, some on the forehead which hanged down to the nose, Ezech. 16. 12. Isaiah 3. 21.

V. 48. Daughter ] Grandchilde.

V. 49. Kindly and truly ] Mercy and truth joined, ch. 47. 29. Josh. 2. 14. Prov. 3. 3. Psal. 85. 10.

V. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel ] The son set before the father, as having the chief managing of all, by reason of his fathers age, v. 55.

bad or good ] Nothing at all against it, chap. 31. 24, 29.

V. 51. At the Lord hath spoken ] As we plainly see by the whole carriage of this business, v. 15. 2 Sam. 16. 10.

V. 57. At her mouth ] About this motion for her sudden departure.

V. 59. Her nurse] Deborah, ch. 35. 8. Great is the tenderness of the affections of nursing fathers, and nursing mothers, Numb. 11. 12, 13. 1 Thes. 2. 7. Isaiah 49, 22. 2 Sam. 4. 4.

V. 61. And followed the man] Psal. 45. 10.

V. 62. Lahai-roi] Ch 16. 14. 12. 9. 25. 11. in the wilderness of Beersheba, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

• e dwelt ] Not apart from his father, but with him. That Well was not far from Beersheba where Abraham dwelt, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

V. 63. To meditate ] Or pray, or both, so the word signifieth, Psal. 77 3, 6. 12. 119. 15.

V. 65. A Veile ] A sign of modesty and subjection, 1 Cor. 11. 5, 6, 10. The custom was to bring the spouse veiled to her husband. The face was covered sometimes for grief and mourning, as in David's mourning for Absalom. Sometimes by others in token of wrath and judgment, as when Haman's face was covered. Sometimes in way of fear and reverence, as Elias covered his face, 1 Kings 19. 13.

V. 67. Sarah's Tent ] Women, it seems had their tents apart, ch. 31. 33. And Sarah's Tent and furniture, it seems, was reserved for Isaac's wife.

and took Rebekah ] By solemnity of marriage, in the fortieth year of his life, ch. 25. 20.

loved her] Eph. 5. 25, 28.

after his mothers death ] Three years before, ch. 17. 17. 23. 1. Dear and durable was his affection toward his mother.

CHAP. XXV.

Ver. 1. THen again ] Whether in Sarah's life-time cannot certainly be determined. The sacred story mentions nothing of Keturab or her children, till now after Sarah's death. And the words here seem to give it to be after her death. And Sarah in her life-time not enduring Hagar and Ishmael▪ would hardly have endured another. And Isaac when offered is called his only son. And yet on the other side, Keturab is called a Concubine, implicitly, v. 6. and expressly, 1 Chron. 1. 32 And though a Coucubine be called a wife, yet I find not that a legitimate wife, as she should be after Sarah's death, or a second wife, is called a Concubine. And the words of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac, ch. 24. 36. compared with v. 5, 6. of this chapter, seem to reflect on Keturahs sons in Sarah's life-time. And which is most of all, if Abraham did not take her to wife till after Sarah's death, then he must be one hundred thirty eight, and likely one hundred and forty years old when he married her, and after that begat six sons of her, whereas the Apostle saith, that forty years before that time, his body was dead for begetting of children, Rom. 4. 19. Gen. 17. 17. 18. 12. If then it were after Sarah's death, it must be said, that God did renew unto him that masculine strength, and vigor of body, after forty years, by an extraordinary blessing, in a marvelous, if not miraculous manner, and that to make good his Promise of multiplying Abraham's seed, ch. 17. 5. in others also, though principally in Isaac.

V. 2. Medan] Ch. 37. 36.

Midian] Numb. 25. 6, 17.

Shuah] Job 2. 11.

V. 3. Sheba] Job 1. 15.

V. 4. Midian] Numb. 31. 18. Judge 7. 25. 8. 5. children of Keturah] And Grandchildren.

V. 5. To Isaac ] As being his only heir and child of Promise, ch. 21. 12. a figure of Christ and Christians, ch. 24. 36.

V. 6. Concubines] Hagar and Keturah.

and sent them away from Isaac ] Because he was to be the heir of Canaa • .

Eastward] Arabia Syria, Job 1. 3. Job likely came of Keturah, Judge. 6. 3. 7. 12.

V 7. One hundred seventy five years] Ch. 15. 15. Heber (of whom he was called an Hebrew, ch. 14. 13.) out-living him. And Jacob and Esau were then fifteen years old, v. 26. ch. 21. 5.

V. 8. Gathered unto his people] V. 17. which implies the immortality of the soul, and so the phrase of gathering to their fathers, Judge. 2. 10. Heb. 12. 23.

V. 9. Isaac and Ishmael] Ishmael, though never received again into Abraham's family, yet dwelt not so far off, but might hear of his fathers death, and come to his burial.

V. 11. Blessed Isaac ] Entailed the blessing and Promises made to Abraham on him, ch. 17. 19.

Lahai-roi ] See, ch. 24. 62.

V. 12. Generations of Ishmael] ch 16. 10, 12. 17. 20. much exceeded Isaac's, 1 Cor. 15. 46.

Nebaioth ] He and his brethren seated in Arabia, Isaiah 21. 13. 60 7. Ezech 27. 21. Jer. 49. 28.

V. 15. Tema] Job 2. 11.

V. 16. Twelve Princes] Ch. 17. 20. Like the twelve sons of Jacob.

V. 18. Havilah] Ch. 2. 8. an ample region in Arabia, not that Havilah in India.

Shur] Ch. 16. 7 Ex. 15. 22.

died in the presence ] His brethren surviving him, ch. 16. 12.

V. 20. The Syrian ] So, Luke 4. 27. Aramite is translated Syrian by our Savior.

Padan-Aram ] Called Aram-Naharaim, ch. 24. 10. sometime Padam only, ch. 48. 7. This is Mesopotamia of Syria, distinguished from Aram-Zobah, Ps. 60 tit.

V. 21. Intrcated ] Often, no doubr.

barren ] Twenty years, v. 20, 26. many good women in Scripture barren a long time.

V. 22. Strugled ] A misery to her, and a mystery in her, v. 23.

if it be so, why am I thus? ] A speech of passion; why prayed I? why conceived I? or why is this strange struggling in my womb, more then in other women?

to inquire of the Lord ] By her prayer, or by some Prophet, as her father in-law Abraham, ch. 20. 7. or Heber, yet living.

V. 23. Two Nations] Esau and Jacob, the virtual roots and Original of two Nations, Edomites and Israelites.

two manner of people ] Differing and disagreeing one from and with another, differing in Religion, Laws, Manners, Affections, jarring, at variance.

shall be stronger ] So Esau stronger then Jacob, ch. 27. 43. 32. 4, 6, 13. and, ch. 33. 3. And a long time the Edomites were more potent then the Israelites, Numb. 20. 18, 20.

and the elder shall serve ] So the Israelites subdued the Edomites, 2 Sam. 8. 14. 1 Kings 22. 47. Obad. v. 17, 18. And spiritually Jacob got the birth-right, v. 33. and Esau despised it, v. 34. and he got also the blessing, ch. 27, 29, 36. The Lord in Malachi proceeds further, saying, Though Esau was Jacob's brother, yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau, Mal. 1. v. 2, 3. whence the Apostle gathereth the doctrine of God's free grace, in the election of some, and reprobation of others, before the doing of good or evil, Rom. 9. v. 10, 11 12, 13. Likely Isaac did not rightly understand this Prediction; but Rebekah did, which made the one seek so much to favor Esau, and the other Jacob.

V. 25. Red ] A sign of the choleric and cruel disposition, found in him and his posterity, ch. 27. 40. 41. Obad. 1. 10. Ezech. 25. 12. His meat red, ch. 25. 30. his land red, ch. 32. 3.

all over ] With red hair all over his body, ch. 27. 11.

his name Esau ] That is, made, perfected, as if he were borne a man rather then a child.

V. 26. Took hold on Esau's heel ] As if he would have pulled him back, that he might be borne before him, or as if he would overthrow and supplant him. A divine presaging what would afterward come to pass, v. 23. This striving for the grace and preeminence of the birth-right, the Prophet mentioneth, Hos. 12. 3, 4.

Jacob ] An holder by the heel or supplanter, chap. 27. 36.

V. 27. A cunning hunter ] Somewhat like Ishmael or Nimrod, valorous, fierce.

a plain man ] A good plain man, living a plain shepherds life, keeping home and looking to household-affairs, ch. 4. 20. and a sincere plain-dealing man, without guile, though at his mothers instance and urging, he used too much deceit in getting the blessing, ch. 27. Shepherds kept in Tents. And such was Jacob's trade and his children's, ch. 46. 34.

V. 28. Because he did eat of his venison ] By seeing his officiousness to please his fathers palate, his father might take it as a sign, that he did greatly reverence, respect and love him, and that he would prove the most able and active, the fittest for great employments, and the best and stoutest stay and support of their family; yet all this was but carnal, and not so suiting to the divine oracle, on the behalf of Jacob, v. 23.

V. 29. Sod pottage ] This though a small matter, conduceth yet, and is subservient to that divine Promise, ch. 27. 29. 2 Sam. 8. 14.

V. 30. Red ] Red is doubled in the Hebrew, and pottage omitted; to note Esau's haste, and his eagerness of appetite, in his extremity of fainting, after that mear which his eye first pitched upon, (there being other meat, no doubt, in his fathers house) and haply fancied too by him for the color sake, if there were not also some cordial in it, as saffron or other like thing, which gave it that extreme red color.

called Edom ] Or Aedom; Adam signifieth red, red-borne, v. 25. and now so greedily desiring red broth, and selling for it his birth-right, got him this nick-name, and brand for it.

V. 31. Sell me this day thy birth-right ] The honor of the first-borne was great. God in honor calls Israel his son, his first-borne, Exod. 4. 22. and so Ephraim, Jer. 31. 9. as first chosen by him of all people to be his peculiar people, Ex. 19. 4, 5. Deut. 32. 11, 12. Ps. 89. 27. yea, Christ is called the first-borne among many brethren, Rom. 8. 29. This birth-right advanced them to be highest in their Parents affections, Zech. 12. 10. to be first in honor next their Parents, ch. 49. 3. to be Governors of the family under them, ch. 4. 7. 2 Chro. 21. 3. to the Peiesthood, after the fathers death, at least till Moses time, Numb. 8. 14, 15. 10. 18 to a double portion, Deut. 21. 17. to omit, that it might be an outward sign or pledge of being one of those first-born, which are written in Heaven, Hebr. 12. 23. They being peculiarly consecrated to God in after-times, Exod. 22. 29. These rights and privileges, or the most of them, together with the Oracle, v. 23. might move Jacob to catch at any advantage to gain the birth-right: and did move him too to seek it, in a way not altogether so lawful, as to deny his brother necessary relief in his extremity, except upon such hard terms: upon such a pinch to drive him for such a price to so unjust a bargain.

V. 32. At the point to die ] With this present hunger, with dangers in hunting wild beasts.

V. 33. Swear] See Annot. on ch. 24. 3.

V. 34. Bread and pottage ] One morsel of meat, Hebr. 12. 16.

of lentiles ] A mean kind of grain, a kind of pulse, 2 Sam. 17. 31. Ezech. 4. 9.

eat and drink ] Never troubled at all for what he had done, 1 Cor. 15. 32.

despised ] Irreligiously and profanely, Hebr. 12. 16. Though possibly selling so precious a thing, for so poor a price, he might have a purpose to recover that by force, which was got from him by fraud. And therefore he pleads his birth-right after this to his father, ch. 27. 32.

CHAP. XXVI.

Verse 1. BEsides the first famine] Ch 12. 10.

Unto Gerar] From the Well Lahai-roi, ch. 25. 11. near Beersheba, ch 21▪ 14. 33. 34.

V. 2. Into Egypt ] As thy father did, and by his example thou mindest to do.

V. 3. I will give ] To thee as a sojourner, to thy posterity as owners, by way of propriety, possession and hereditary right.

all these countries ] Possessed by so many Nations, ch 15. 18, 19, 20, 21.

to Abraham thy father ] Thy self being present, ch. 22. 17, 18.

V. 4. Stars ] See Annot. on ch 15.

Seed ] Meaning Christ, Gal. 3. 6, 18.

V. 5. Because that Abraham obeyed ] On man's part there are conditions required, and by the assistance of God's grace performed and graciously accepted, and mentioned as if there were some causality in them, for God's acceptance and performance of his part ch. 22. 16. See the Annotat.

V. 6. And Isaac dwelt in Gerar ] Where he was borne, ch. 20. 1. 21. 2.

V. 7. She is my sister ] As his father did through frailty, ch. 12. 13, 19. 20. 2, 5, 12, 13. This true in a sense, as, Jer. 3. 7, 9. Ezech. 16. 46. Mat. 12. 50. Rom. 16 1. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Jam. 2 15. But untrue in their intent.

V. 8. Looked out ] As David saw Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 11. 2.

sporting] Deut. 24. 5. Prov 5. 18, 19.

V. 9. Of a surety she is thy wife ] So holy and unblameable was Isaac's life, that worse then this Abimelech never suspected.

V. 10. What is this ] By this passionate expostulation he showeth, how greatly adultery, if not, dissimulation too, were condemned by heathen morality, ch. 20. 9.

guiltiness ] Both sin and punishment, Lev. 5. 5, 6.

V. 11. Toucheth] So, v. 29. ch. 20. 6. Josh 9. 19. Ruth 2. 9. Ps. 105. 15. Prov. 6. 29. Zech. 2. 8.

V. 12. An hundred fold] Mat. 3 8, 23.

V. 14. Envied him] Eccl. 4 4. Ps •• 2 10 Job 5. 2.

V. 15. The Philistines had stopped ] Contrary to Covenant and Oath, ch. 21. 30, 31.

V. 17. Valley of Gerar] V. 6.

V. 18. After the names by which his father ] Renewing the ancient good names, and altering idolatrous names, Numb 32. 38. The names of idols are not to be heard out of our mouths, Ex. 23. 13. Ps. 16. 4. Deut. 12. 3. Hos. 2. 17.

V. 21. Sitnah ] Hatred or spite. Hence Satan hath his name.

V. 23. To Beersheba ] The famine being ended, he returned to the place whence the famine had driven him, the place of his fathers dwelling. See, Annot. on v. 1. and on ch. 21. 31.

V. 24. And the Lord appeared. ] As it seems to comfort him against the envious dealings of the Philistines. So, ch. 15. 1.

the God of Abraham] Therefore Abraham lives in soul, Mat. 22. 32.

V. 25. An Altar] Ch. 12. 7, 8. 13. 4, 18.

V. 26, Then Abimelech ] As, ch. 21. v. 22. &c. These may be those same men. This history is to be compared with that.

Ahuzzath ] More then in ch. 21. v. 22.

V. 27. Seeing ye hate me] Prov. 16 7.

V. 28. And they said] See Annotat. on chap. 21. 22, 23.

an oath ] And execration▪ as, ch. 24. 41.

V. 29. That thou wilt ] With a curse if thou shalt, so, ch. 21. 23. in the margin.

the blessed] Ch. 24. 31. This is spoken to further the Peace▪ and Covenant desired.

V. 30 Feast ] Used at Covenants, ch. 31 54.

V. 32. Concerning the Well] V. 25.

V. 33, S • ebah ] Oath.

Beersheba] Ch. 21. 31 Here the name of the City. This Well was formerly so called by Abraham, ch. 21. 31. But having been stopped by the Philistines, and now opened again by Isaac's servants, the old name is again imposed upon the same occasion.

V. 34. Fourty years old ] He married thirty six years before Jacob. At forty years old also Isaac married, chap. 25. 20.

Judith] Esau's wives and their fathers had several names, Gen. 36. 2. Both Hittites the worst sort of Canaanites, Ezech. 16. 3. contrary to the cares and commands of his father, mother and grandfather, ch. 24. 3. and v. 35. of this chapter, and ch 27 46. and ch. 28. 1, 6, 8.

CHAP. XXVII.

Verse 1. ISaac was old ] One hundred thirty six, or one hundred thirty seven years old; As is rightly gathered and proved in the great late Annotat. upon this place. For Isaac was sixty years old when Jacob was borne, ch. 25. v. 26. And Jacob was at this time seventy five or seventy six years old, when he got the blessing and fled to Laban. See the Annotat. on ch. 29. 21.

and his eyes were dim] So Jacob's, ch. 48. 10. so Eli's, 1 Sam. 3. 2, 4, 15. Isaac lived blind forty four years at least, ch. 35▪ 28.

V 4 That my soul ] He would by that feasting cheer up his spirit against dullness, or any distemper, that he might be the more fit instrument of the Spirit of God; so Elisha calls for a minstrel, to allay his passion against Jehoram, prepare his mind, compose his spirit, and fit it for a divine motion of God's Spirit by Prophecy, 2 Kings 3. 15.

may bless thee ] In faith before the Lord, by the Spirit of the Lord, Hebr. 1 • . 20. some bless men, by praying to God to bless them: So, Luke 6. 28. Some by pronouncing a blessing upon them, by virtue of their calling, and warrant of God's Word. So the Priests blessed the people, Numb 6. 23, to the end. Some by the Spirit of Prophecy foretelling the blessings should come upon them; so Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, ch. 48. 9, 15, 16, 20. and the twelve tribes, ch. 49. 28. and so did Moses likewise, Deut. 33. 1. And so Isaac intends to bless Esau here. And doth bless Jacob and Esau, v. 27, 28, 29 39, 40. and Jacob again, ch. 28. 3, 4.

Thee] Esau. Isaac being left in this point to his own spirit, out of his carnal judgment and affection, he intends the blessing to Esau, to transmit the inheritance of the blessings and promises made to his father unto Esau, as his first-borne; either not mindful of the divine Oracle, ch. 25. 23. Or understanding it, not of their persons, but of their posterity. But God's Providence, serving itself upon the better faith and illumination of Rebekah, and by her means doth disappoint Isaac's purpose, and he by his free grace and singular favor, transfers the blessing upon Jacob.

V. 6. And Rebekah spake ] Being soundly grounded that the blessing belonged to Jacob; and seeing now her husband going about to give it to Esau, she labors to disappoint his error, though by ways not so warrantable, unless she were moved by some secret instinct of God's Spirit.

V. 7. Before the Lord, before my death ] In his presence, and by his power and authority, who will ratify this my last Will and Testament, Heb 11. 20

V. 12. I shall bring a curse ] For my deceiving, Deut. 27. 18. Jer. 48. 10. Mal. 14.

V. 13. Upon me be thy curse ] She was over-confident, using such ill means, though in a good cause, and trusting to the Oracle.

V. 15. Goodly raiment ] Perfumed or kept sweet, v. 27. not likely to be holy robes received from their Ancestors, and kept for the first-borne to minister in.

Which were with her] Not with Esau's wives.

V. 16. Skins upon his hands ] His face by a beard and hair, might be much like Esau's.

V. 19. I am Esau ] It is in vain to labor to excuse Jacob here and hereafter from divers lies, deceits and dissemblings.

V. 20. Brought it to me] Ch. 24. 12. one lie draws on another.

V. 27. The smell of his raiment ] Aromatick odors, and spices for perfume, abounded in those countries.

V. 27. As the smell of a field ] With flowers, fruits and vines, Cant. 2. 13. 4. 14. 7. 13.

V. 28. God give thee ] A Prayer and Prophecy. And these promises of earthly blessings were types of spiritual blessings, extending to all that was included in the Promises and Covenant made to and with Abraham, Deut. 33. 28. 8. 8.

V. 29. Let people serve thee] From Jacob came Judah; 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 10. David subdued many Nations.

be Lord over thy brethren ] Hereby he confirms to him the right of the first-borne.

thy brethren, and let thy mothers sons]

Cursed] Ch. 12. 3. Numb. 24, 9. The efficacy of the blessing here, did not depend upon the intention of Isaac, And no more doth the truth and efficacy of the Sacrament depend upon the intention of the Minister.

V. 33. Trembled ] As one perplexed, astonished, between wonder and fear lest he had done amiss.

Yea, and he shall be blessed ] By that trembling as by a bit and bridle. God restrains him from revoking the blessing. And recollecting himself he doth now by faith re-establish it, Heb. 11. 20. And after more advisedly, chap. 28. 3, 4.

V. 34. Exceeding bitter cry ] Yet found no place of repentance, no way to change his fathers mind, to recall what he had done, though he sought it carefully with tears, Hebr. 12. 17. Prov. 1. 24, 28.

V. 35. Thy blessing ] Which I intended thee, and by birth-right pertained to thee.

V. 36. And he said ] These words show no true repentance in Esau.

he took away ] Nay, Esau sold it and despised it, ch. 25. 33, 34.

my blessing ] Not his then, when the birth-right was none of his.

V. 37. Thy Lord] V. 29.

and what shall I do? ] As if he should say, comparatively, all other blessings are nothing.

V. 39. The fatness of the earth ] Not unlike that, v. 28. Mount Seir was such a place, Josh. 24. 4. By faith Isaac blessed Esau concerning things to come, Hebr. 11. 20. yet Canaan far surpassed Idumea. Besides that Canaan was a type of the heavenly Canaan.

V. 40. And by this sword shalt thou live ] With wars and troubles defend thy state and country, Mat. 10. 34. And not enjoy peace as Jacob, Deut. 33. 27, 28. Isaiah. 2. 4.

and shalt serve thy brother] In thy posterity, Deut. 33. 29. Gen. 25. 23. 2 Sam. 8. 14. 1 Kings 22. 47. Obad. v. 18, 19, 21.

when thou shalt have the dominion] Because of Israel's sins, as in the days of Jehoram, 2 Kings 8. 20. 22. 2.

break his yoke ] Of thy servitude, 2 Chron. 21. 8. under which thou wast from David's days till then, above one hundred years, Isaiah 9. 4. 10. 27. Jer. 27. 8, 11. Herod was an Idumean.

V. 41. Hated ] Spitefully. This shows no true repentance in him, 1 John 3. 12, 15. This hatred continued in his posterity, Obad v. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21.

said in his heart ] Afterwards uttered it in words, v. 42.

are at hand ] In his wish and opinion, Isaac being now blind, and yet he lived forty four years after.

V. 42. Comfort himself ] To receive his birth-right by killing of thee. Revenge is sweet to the enraged wicked man; yea, the very purpose of it. And thus they harden their heart in evil against God's known Will; so did Saul against David, 1 Sam. 18. 28. God useth a like speech of himself in an holy sense, Ezech. 5. 13.

V. 44. A few days ] It proved to be above twenty years, ch. 31. 38. Doubtful whether ever Rebekah saw him again: She sent not for Jacob, because she saw Esau's rage and malice continue, ch. 32. 6.

V. 45. Both in one day ] By fighting they might kill each other, or if Esau lived, they should and would then count him as dead, and no better. And the Law was such, chap. 9. 6.

V. 46. Of the daughters of Heth] Esau's wives, ch. 26. 35, 34. A wise, godly and crafty counsel she conceals from Isaac, the hatred of Esau, and dangerous discord between his sons.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Ver. 1. ANd blessed him] Isaac was constant to his first blessing, notwithstanding Jacob's craft in getting it Jacob had need of this second blessing to confirm his faith against his future troubles and trials; Isaac therefore by his fatherly authority, now wittingly and willingly settles it on him again.

V. 2. Arise, go] Isaac was not; but his fathers servant, ch. 24. 3, 4. 5, 6. And he with ten camels, &c. Jacob here with his staff in his hand, ch. 32. 10. and to serve for a wife, Hos. 12. 12.

thy mothe • s brother] Cousin-germans marry.

V. 3. A multitude of people] Chapter 35. 11. 48. 4.

V. 4. The blessing of Abraham ] His Grandfather, who had the Original grant of the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, earthly and heavenly, made over to him and his seed, and the blessing chiefly of the promised seed.

art a stranger] Ch. 17. 8. This is to prevent the weakening of his faith, by being but a stranger in it still, as also his father and Grandfather were.

unto Abraham ] By Promise, ch. 12. 7. and often repeated.

V. 5. Of B • thuel the Aramite ] Syrian. So Luke translateth the word, Luke 4. 27.

V. 9. To Ishmael ] The Ishmaelites, for he was dead, ch. 25. 17.

Mahalath ] Called also Basemath, ch. 36. 3.

sister ] By the same mother at least, if not father.

Nebaioth] Ishmael's eldest son, ch. 25. 13. From him Esau had his sister to wife, Ishmael being now dead. Esau and she were Cousin-germans; two brothers children. This Esau did to please his father, and strengthen himself by the Ishmaelites against Jacob. And now he hath three wives, as soon likely as Jacob had any.

V. 10. From Beersheba] Ch. 26. 23.

toward Haran] Charran, Acts 7. 2. a long journey; seven days journey in Laban's pursuit to Mount Gilead, ch. 31. 22, 23. which Mount stretched through the two tribes, and 1/2 beyond Jordan Eastward. And now was Jacob seventy five or seventy six years old. See Annot. on ch. 29. 21.

V. 11. And he lighted ] By God's Providence, chap. 32. 10.

because the Sun was set ] And so, or for weariness, he did not reach Luz, after called Bethel. Though it were hard by, v. 19. It is conceived to be near fifty English miles distant from Beer-sheba; and from Jerusalem eight miles Northward.

for his pillows ] Hard distress. He went so meanly from his parents, or haply stole away in a sort, lest Esau should lie in wait for him by the way; as he did at his return, ch. 32. 6. Abraham's servant went with great state, so that Rebekah calls him Lord, ch. 24. 18. But Jacob with his staff in his hand, ch. 32. 10.

V. 12. Dreamed ] A divine dream; See Annot. on ch. 15. 1. and on ch. 20. 3.

Ladder ] Signifying Christ, John 1. 51. In his two natures personally united; Heaven and earth are as it were joined together. And by him the only Mediator is man reconciled to God. Colos. 1. 20. by him the Angels for our service, and the Holy Ghost and his gifts descend down to us, and we and our prayers have access and ascend unto God. And secondarily, hereby is signified the Providence of God in governing the world, Psal. 113. 5, 6. and particularly, his provident care over Jacob, in his journey going and returning, v. 13, 15. and 32. 1, 2. And both these, specially by the Ministry of Angels, Psal. 91. 11, 12. Heb. 1. 13, 14.

earth ] Denoting Christ's humanity, and his conversing with men, Joh. 16. 28.

Heaven ] Denoting his Deity and Mediation, or negotiation for men with God, Heb. 8. 1. 9. 24. John 14. 6.

ascending ] Coming and going, looking with desire into the mysteries of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 12. ministering unto him, Mar. 1. 13. at his Tentation, Mat. 4. 11. in his Passion, Luke 22. 43. at his Resurrection, John 20. 12. and Ascension, Acts 1. 11. And ministering through him unto his people.

V. 13. The Lord stood ] Jehovah; His Providence over us in Christ: I am the Lord God of Abraham, ch. 17. 7. Heb. 11. 16. And this teacheth the Resurrection of the dead, Luke 20. 37, 38.

to thee and to thy seed ] To thee in thy seed, when yet he had no wife or child

V. 14. And thy seed ] Renewes the Promise to him, and states it in him, which was formerly made to Abraham, and to Isaac, Act. 3. 25.

all the families ] So the Promise pertains to us; we may say with the Prophet, God found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us, Hos. 12. 4.

V. 15. I am with thee ] The like Promise made at his return, ch. 31▪ 3.

in all ] God giving his son, doth with him give all things also, Rom. 8. 32. 1 Tim 4. 8.

not leave thee] Josh. 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5.

until ] Not excluding the time following. As, Mat. 28. 20.

V. 16. And I knew it not ] Being awaked, he perceived that God had appeared to him there: admires at it, and his goodness in it: that not only in his Fathers house, but even there God vouchsafed such Apparitions, Job 9. 11.

V. 17. Afraid ] Such glorious, though gracious Apparitions, affects man's frailty with fear because of his sin, Mat. 17. 6. Luke. 2. 9. 8. 35. Rev. 1. 17. See Annot. on ch. 16. 13.

the house of God ] He thinks this therefore a fit place for the building of an House to God, v. 22. 1 Tim. 3. 15.

V. 18. The stone ] Or heap of stones, v. 11. or else some one of them.

pillar ] Some extemporary pile of stones raised by him afore on the sudden, without tools, as a thankful memorial of God's gracious Apparition in that place. This likely being after demolished, he erects about thirty years after a new pillar of stone upon another Apparition in the same place, ch. 35. 14, 15. This here was a religious sign and monument as Altars also were, Isaiah 19. 19. There were also pillars for civil monuments, as Rachel's pillar on her grave, ch. 35. 20. and Absalom's pillar, 2 Sam. 18. 18. the pillar Galecd, Gen. 31. 45, 47, 52. But when the Law was given by Moses, pillars for religious use were forbidden, Lev. 26. 1▪ Deut. 16. 22. in the margin, Hos. 10. 1. And the pillars of idolaters commanded to be broken down, Deut. 12 3. 7. 5.

and poured oil ] Which he had for food, or to anoint his body in travel. Jacob poured it on the top or the pillar to consecrate it for holy use. Thus oil of consecration in use before the Law of Moses. So again, ch. 35. 14. As after in the Law there was an anointing oil, to sanctify the things used in God's service, Exod. 25. 6. 30. 22, 25, 29, to 34. 40. 9, to 16. Or rather here Jacob poured it as to an offering of thanksgiving to God; having no other sacrifice at hand. As David poured out the water of the Well of Bethlehem, 2 Sam. 23. 16. See, ch. 35. 14. but these rites and manner of Worship, with all the Levitical ceremonies, and Consecrations of places, persons, and things to divine service, are taken away by the Gospel, John 4. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Yet the rules of religious order and decency in the times, places, and particulars of Christian Worship are to be observed.

V. 19. Bethel ] The City Luz hard by this place; and after hereupon called Bethel. Bethel was on an high hill; And therefore we read of Mount Bethel, Josh. 16. 1. It was nigh to Hui or Ai, and West of it, Gen. 12. 8. Josh. 7. 2. ch 8 • 9. 12 ch. 12. 9. And therefore the men of Bethel and Ai are joined together, Ezra 2. 28. Nehem. 7 32. Bethlehem and Shilo were not far from it, Gen. 35. 16, 19. Judge. 21, 19. Abraham pitched his Tent close by it i • not there, Gen. 12. 8. 13. 3. As Jacob had this dream and vision here, whereupon he calls the name of the place Bethel, so God himself bidding him return from Laban, is pleased to call himself the God of Bethel, ch 31. 13. And upon his return God bids him go and dwell there. which command he obeys and here makes an Altar. And upon a second vision and Promise made he the second time, erects a pillar, and renews the name of Bethel, ch. 35. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 9▪ 13, 14 15. Hos 12. 4. In Joshuths time it had a King, Josh. 12. 16. Joshua, and after the house of Joseph conquered it, Josh. 12. 16. Judge. 1. 22, 23, 24, 25. It fell then by lot to the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 22. There being another of the name it seems that fell to Ephraim, 1 Chron. 7. 28. It is one of the three places whither Samuel rede circuit yearly, and judged Israel, 1 Sam 7. 16. Saul in his time met three men going up to God to Bethel, • Sam 10. 3. & had two thousand men of his army with him there, and in Micmash, 1 Sam. 13. 2. David sent of the spoils of the Amalckites to them of Bethel, if under that name in that place, Kiriah-jearim, the House of God, where the Ark then was and abode be not understood. Jeroboam in his time set up here one of his golden Calves, made an Altar, and settled Priests, 1 Kings 12. 28. 29, 32, 33. And hence Bethel the House of God, seems to be called Bethaven, the house of vanity, Hos. 4. 15. 5. 8. 10. 5. And yet there was another place properly called Bethaven, and nigh to B • thel, Josh. 7. 2. 18. 12. 1 Sam. 13. 5. 14. 23. Thither came a man of God while Jeroboam stood by the Altar to burn incense, and prophesied against it; and healed the Kings hand that was dried up, for stretching it out against him; which Prophet was after slain by a Lion, for suffering himself to be seduced by an old Prophet that dwelt in Bethel, and came out of Samaria, 1 Kings 13. 2 Kings 23. 18. Abijah the son of Rchoboam took from Jeroboam Bethel, with the towns thereof, 2 Chron. 13 9▪ whereupon, and upon the captivity of the ten tribes Jeremiah useth these words, That the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence, Jer. • 8. 13. And before that captivity Hosea threatens that Bethel should do so unto them, as Shalman had spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle, Hos, 10. 14, 15. In Ahaziah 's time, or rather Jehoram 's Kings of Israel, Elias comes thither with Elizcus, immediately before his taking up into heaven. And upon Elizcus his return thither, the little children out of the city came and mocked him, calling him Bald-head, and forty two of them were torn by bears, 2 Kings 2. In the days of Jeroboam the second, Amos the Prophet in scorn, bids the ten tribes come to Bethel and transgress, Amos 4. 4. And seriously forbids them to seek to Bethel, for Bethel shall come to naught: but chargeth them to seek the Lord. lest he break out like fire, and there be none to quench it in Bethel, ch. 5. 5, 6, 7. Upon his preaching Amaziah the Priest of Bethel sends to Jeroboam against him, and forbids him to prophesy any more at Bethel, for it is the Kings Chapel, and it is the Kings Court, ch. 7 10, 13. Josiah in his days performed all that was sore told by the man of God, 1 Kings 13. He brake down the Altar, and burnt the bones of men upon it. And the idolatrous pollutions of the Temple of Jerusalem he burnt, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel, so far off, on purpose to defile that place, which the ten idolatrous tribes had held so sacred, 2 Kings 23. 15. 19. 4. Thus large have I been on this place, once for all; purposing to make a reference hither, whenever I shall meet with the name elsewhere.

• uz at the first ] This name in use▪ ch. 35. 6. 48. 3. and in Joshuas time, Josh. 18. 13. See▪ Judge. 1. 23, 26. It signifieth Nut-tree, whence the City might have its name, as Jericho is called the City of Palme-trees, 2 Chron. 28. 15. Deut. 34. 3.

V. 20. Vowed a V • w ] There is an Oath, a Vow, and a devoting of a thing to God: of an Oath, see, Annot. on ch. 24. 3. of the devoting anything, See, Lev. 27. 28, 29. A Vow is a binding of the soul with a bond, by a sacred, and solemn, a free and voluntary Promise made to God, for the doing or more careful doing of things, which otherwise by our duty and God's Law we are bound to do, or for the doing of certain things lawful in themselves, but otherwise left indifferent to be done, or not to be done; or for the abstaining from the use of some things, otherwise lawful to be used. And all this in way of thankfulness to God for some extraordinary blessings received; or for the obtaining of some special benefits, which we greatly desire and stand in need of. And therefore Vowes are ever joined with Prayers, or Praises and Thanksgiving, or both. And these Vowes once made must carefully be kept and performed. Thus Jocob here vowed by way of thankfulness to God for this glorious Apparition, and the gracious Promises vouchsafed to him, and for further and future blessings to be received from God, that God should be his God, this should be a new engagement and obligation upon him, that he would forever serve and worship him; and that that stone or pillar now erected by him, should be God's house, a place consecrated to his worship and service, and that he would give the tenth of all he should have to God, and for his special use in Sacrifices, Altars, sacred buildings, and maintenance of his service. Thus Hannah vowed, that if God would deliver her from the reproach of barrenness, and give her a man-child, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor should come upon his head, 1 Sam 1. 11. Thus Bathsheba it seems made a Vow for the obtaining of Solomon, whence she calleth him the son of her Vowes, Prov. 31. 2. Thus Jephthah made a Vow to obtain victory against the children of Ammon, Judge 11. 30, 39. And all Israel, to obtain victory against King Arad the Canaanite and his people, Numb. 21. 1, 2. Thus David vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob, forthwith to find out a place for the habitation of the Lord, Psal. 132. 2, 3. Thus Paul was under a Vow, Acts 18. 18. And again he and four other men, Act. 21, 23, 24. Yea, the Heathen Mariners, by the light of nature made vows to the Lord, vows of thankfulness for their deliverance from shipwreck, Jonah 1. 16. In Moses time, the vow of a Nazarite and Laws for them are set down at large, Numb. 6. as also the things to be vowed to the Lord, as persons, beasts, clean and unclean, houses, fields of inheritance, and of purchase, whether vowed before the year of Jubile, or after, and the several Laws for the Redemption of them, Lev. 27. And in that Mosaical and Ceremonial Law, God carefully provides that no unworthy thing shall be vowed to him, no beast deformed, or that hath any member superfluous, or lacking, or any way faulty, Lev. 22. 18, 21, 22, 23. Mal. 1. 14. Much less the hire of a whore, or price of a dog, Deut. 23. 18. any sinful thing as those wicked men of Judah did, in their idolatrous ways, both they and their wives which fled into the land of Egypt, contrary to the Word of the Lord by Jeremiah say, We will surely perform our vows which we have vowed, to burn incense to the Queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto her, Jer. 44. 25. And least of all would he have any sinful vow made unto him. Now to forbear to vow is no sin, Deut. 23. 22. at least, no such sin as if they vow and pay not, as, John 9. 41. If ye were blind, ye should have no sin, no such sin as now remaineth on you, for refusing the light. And the like, John 15. 22, 24. For howsoever in the general, a vow is a kind of a free-will-offering, a service of God, Isaiah 19. 21. but an arbitrary and voluntary service. Before men vow it is in their own power and pleasure, as it is spoken in Ananias his case, Acts 5. 4. yet in some extraordinary cases of petition and thanksgiving, vows are requisite and necessary. And however; yet being once made lawfully, after vows to make enquiry, undoubtedly it is sin. But after vows to make enquiry is a snare and sin, Prov. 20. 25. For who vows, binds his soul with a bond, Numb. 30. 3. And therefore when a lawful vow is lawfully made, then God strictly requires the same to be punctually performed, Deut. 23. 21, 23. Eccl. 5. 4, 5, 6. And for that cause he gives Laws, who have power to vow, and who may not vow, namely, children and wives, who are not free of themselves, but under the power and command of others, Numb. 30. David therefore is mindful of his performance, Thy vows are upon me, O God, Psal 56. 12. and 66. 13, 14. And he minds others of it, Vow and pay unto the Lord your God, Psal. 76. 11. And again, To thee shall the vow be paid, Ps. 65. 1, 2. And he saith unto God, Thou, O God, hast heard my vows. And so will I sing praise unto thy Name forever, that I may daily perform my vows, Ps 61. 5, 8.

If God will be with me ] Prayer-wise, respecting the Promile, v. 15.

and will keep me ] Respects the Promise likewise, v. 15. and binds upon it; for if here hath the signification of when, as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. And is here a word of doubting or of condition, but of faith and inference of his duty of thankfulness,

bread to eat] 1 Tim. 6. 8.

V. 21. So that I come again] Jacob's vow in all points grounded upon the Word and Promise, v. 15.

then shall ] Not as if otherwise not. He was sure of the truth of the Promise, and thereupon vows this in way of thankfulness.

V. 12. This stone ] See on v. 18. and ch. 31. 45.

God's House ] So performed, ch. 35. 7, 14.

the tenth unto thee ] A sign of homage and subjection to God: And therefore given to the Priests. Thus by Abraham, and by Jacob, tithes paid before the Law of Moses.

CHAP. XXIX.

Verse 1. THeu Jacob ] Being seventy five or seventy six years old. See, Annotat. on ver. 21.

East ] Whence Abraham came, Isaiah 41. 2. where Job lived afterwards, Job 1. 3. but the particular place in the East here meant is Haran, v. 4.

V. 2. A Well ] So, chap. 24. 11, 15. and, Exod. 2. 15, 16, 21.

a great stone ] To keep the store.

V. 5. The son of Nahor ] That is, the Grandchilde. V. 6. Is he well? ] So, ch. 43. 17, 28. 1 Sam. 25. 5, 6. 2 Sam 20. 9.

V. 8. We cannot ] By right, as, ch. 34. 14. 43. 32. or with our might and strength, for it was a great stone, v. 2.

V. 10. Rolled the stone ] By his own strength, or with the help of the shepherds.

V. 11. Kissed Rachel ] Having first shown her who he was, ch. 31. 55.

V. 12. Her fathers brother ] That is Kinsman, his sisters son, v. 13.

V. 13. Kissed him ] One man kisseth another; so, ch. 45. 15. Exod. 4. 27. 18. 7. Luke 7 45. Rom 16. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 12. Traiterous were the kisses of Joab and Judas.

all these things ] Touching his father, the birth-right, blessing, Esau, his sending away, and the cause and end of it, and vision by the way, else Laban might have wondered at his poor and solitary manner of coming, Deut. 26. 5. considering he saw the servants rich manner o • coming, ch. 24. 10, • 2, 53. We read not here of any letter or token sent by him.

V. 14. Surely thou art ] I doubt not of thy person; and welcome thou art whatever the occasion of thy journey be.

V. 15. Shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? ] Seeing him in his months abode not idle, but active and able, casts about to procure his stay.

beautiful ] So, Esther, chap. 2. 7. So, Joseph, chap. 39. 6.

V. 18. I will serve thee ] In some countries, and in some ages men buy wives; so, David, 1 Sam. 18. 25. 2 Sam. 3. 14. Hos. 3. 2. Gen. 34. 12.

V. 19. It is better] Laban out of his churlishness and covetousness, makes use of Jacob's loving proffer. And yet by his general words and ambiguous speech may be suspected, not to intend fair and ingenuous dealing with Jacob, as soon after appeared, v. 23.

V. 20. Served seven years for Rachel ] There are two several opinions, and there can be no more, which must guide and rule the Exposition of these words, and some others also which are in the ensuing passages of this history. One is, that Jacob married first at the end of his first seven years service. And then having Leah fraudulently put upon him instead of Rachel. That he newly contracts the second time to have Rachel for other seven years service; but marries her a week after he had taken Leah; and performs that seven years service, for Rachel after he had married her. And most Expositors are of this opinion. But I conceive there are two strong arguments against it. One is, that they are thereby forced to hold, that Jacob's twelve children were all borne within those seven years, viz. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Ashur, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, v. 25. ch. 31. 38, 41. You may say, this may well enough, be by four women, I confess it; but considering the plain and pregnant passages of the sacred history, in the times and manner of their births, I hold it impossible. For it is plain, that none of them at any time had twins. Again, Leah had Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, at several births, which will take up three or four of the seven years, before Rachel complains of barrenness. Or put case she complained sooner then the history mentions, yet Bilhah must have Dan and Naphtali at several births, before Zilpah had Gad and Ashvr at several births; and these last four sons will take up three or four years; and after all this, Leah having formerly left bearing when Judah was borne, v. 35. ch 30. 9. And when Reuben her eldest son was of age to find mandrakes in the field; then after her time of barrenness, and after her maid Zilpahs births, she then again conceiving bears Issachar, and Zebulun, and Dinah at several births. And last of all Rachel bears Joseth, all which must be done within the compass of one seven years according to that opinion. Which, how it may stand with truth, and without offering violence to the course of the history, and to many words of the text, I confess I cannot comprehend. And a second argument against that opinion, is taken from the consideration of Judah's age, and the birth of Hezron and Hamul his Grandchildren, when they with Jacob and all his posterity went down into Egypt ch. • . 1 • .] To, open this we must first knew, that Jacob was seventy five years old when he came down to Laban, which appears thus; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, ch 47. 9. and then Joseph was forty years old, viz. thirty when he was taken out of pri • on and advanced by Pharaoh, ch. 41. 46. After which passed seven years of plenty, and three of famine when Jacob came down, Joseph then being forty years old; it appears also that he was borne in the fourteenth year after Jacob's coming to Laban, ch 30. 25. 31. 38, 41. Take then those fourteen years before Joseph was borne, and the forty years of Josephs age, when his father stood before Pharaoh, out of his fathers age at that time, he being then one hundred and thirty; and it will so be clear, that Jacob was seventy five or seventy six years old, when he first came to Laban. Now this being so, Judah the fourth son of Jacob by Leah, must needs be by their opinion but three or four years elder then Joseph, Jacob not 〈◊〉 Leah, as they say, till after his first seven years of service were ended. And so Judah must be but forty three or forty four years old at most, when he and his Grandchildren Hezron and Hamul came with Jacob into Egypt. To compass this, they must cast their reckonings thus, that Judah married at twelve years old, and had Er at thirteen; that Er married at twelve years old, and Onan his younger brother, ch. 38. 4. married at twelve years old, that Tamar remained a widow, and waited till Sh • lah was grown; and the days being multiplied, Judah's wife died, and Tamar bears to Judah Pharez; and all this within the compass of three years. That Pharez married at twelve years old and begat Hezron and Hamul; and supposing them to be twirs, that at a year old they were carried into Egypt. For thus the reckoning will rise to the forty third or forty fourth year of Judah's age. But these supposed reckonings seem so harsh in that age of the world, to the most learned favorers of this opinion, that they choose to ease or avoid this, to say rather, that Hezron and Hamul were not carried down into Egypt, but were borne afterwards in Egypt, so the learned late Annot. on ch. 46. 12. But this were to offer such plain violence to that text; and to the drift of that whole chapter, and giving way for others borne after in Egypt to be reckoned in as well as they, for why not others as well as they? and so the whole number to be altered, and the intent of the Holy Ghost disappointed; that I think upon due consideration had, not many will comply with that conceit. And the same Annotators disclaim it themselves, in their Annotations on ch. 38. 1. The other opinion whereunto my resolution bends, is this; that Jacob being seventy five years old, married both sisters at the beginning of the fourteen years service, fulfilling a week in keeping the feast at the marriage of the one, and so again presently after at the marriage of the other. And the enjoying not the want and hopeful expectation of Rachel, made his seven years service for her seem unto him to be bu • a few days. This addition of seven years to the former opinion gives fair way to the birth of all the twelve children, in that order and sequence of time, as the letter of the words, and context of the story do require, and gives further scope, (which yet is little enough) for the time of the birth of Hezron and Hamul, in the fiftieth year of Judah's age, (as this opinion makes it) when he and they went down with Jacob into Egypt. The only difficulty here occuring is, the exposition of some words and sentences, seeming to favor the first opinion, which yet may better receive a commodious interpretation, then involve and entangle us in greater perplexities, and draw upon us the fore-mentioned incongruities, if not impossibilities. The text then here saith, That Jacob served seven years for Rahel ] that is, after he had married her. And so all Expositors agree, that indeed he did so, though most of them infer it upon their construction of the 27. and 28. verses.

but a few days ] If he had not enjoyed her by marriage all those seven years of his service, they would have seemed a longsome and tedious time. For hope deserred maketh the heart sick, Prov. 13. 12. And love makes men think everyday a year till they enjoy the Party loved.

V. 21. And Jacob said ] That is, had said.

for my days are fulfilled ] That is, I am full of days, and ripe for marriage: being now seventy five years old, and my brother Esau of my age, being married thirty five years ago, ch. 26. 34.

that I may go in unto her ] Not go away with her, but use her as my wise, whiles I perform my covenanted service of seven years for her.

V. 22. And Laban gathered ] Had gathered. The Hebrews want a preterpluperfect tense.

V. 23. He took Leah ] Being veiled as the manner was, in bringing Brides into the Bride-chamber, Joel 2. 16. and unto their husbands in the dark, for modesty sake, ch. 24. 65. ch. 38. 15, 16.

V. 25. What is this ] For he hated Leah, v. 31.

did not I serve with thee for Rachel? ] Covenant to serve with thee.

beguiled me? ] In the dark; and by her silence or soft whispering, likely upon her fathers direction, which Jacob also might impute to her modesty.

V. 26. Not be so done in our country ] Custom here only pretended to cover his accustomed fraud. Else he should have said so before, and told it.

V. 27. Fulfil her w •• k ] The week-feast for Leah, and keep her with thee, reject her not. The marriage-feast continued a week, Judge. 14. 10, 12, 15, 17. Thus Laban provides that Jacob by voluntary consent to this marriage with Leah, should not be able afterwards to put her away.

give thee this also for the service ] All Expositors here agree, that Jacob did not first serve these seven years, and after marry Rachel. But married her first, and served after.

V. 28. And fulfilled her week] Leah's week for her marriage-feast. Or it may be understood of Rachel's week for her marriage-feast, presently succeeding the other.

V. 30. And he went in also unto Rachel ] At the first Creation in Adams time. And again in Noah's time, when there was most need of multiplication of mankind, yet God allotted but one woman for one man. And therefore though the Law against plurality of wives, was not yet so expressly and literally declared, nor against the marriage of two sisters, as afterwards it was, Lev. 18. 18. yet this here in Jacob cannot be allowed, unless besides a disposition of the divine Provid •• ce in it, there were a dispensation by divine authority for it. Neither may it without like warrant be drawn into example. As neither the example of Abraham taking Hagar, nor Jacob's taking here of Zilpah and Bilhah.

V. 31. Hated ] Not simply, but in comparison of Rachel, v. 30. so, in Deut. 21. 15. Mat. 6. 24. Luke 14. 26. John 12. 25.

V. 35. Now will I praise ] Openly in solemn manner. This here applied to the Lord, is after applied to Judah himself, ch. 49. 8. of Judah the Nation were afterwards called Jews.

and left bearing ] If but two years; yet she could not have three children more, viz. Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, at several births, within the compass of one seven years; yea, the favorers of that opinion confess, that it must needs be that it was not above a half year that she stayed ere she conceived again. Mr. Jackson on ch. 30. 9.

CHAP. XXX.

Verse 1. RAchel envied her sister] Rachel's fault, ch. 37. 11. Num. 11. 29. Psal. 106. 16. Prov. 27. 4.

give me children ] Laying the fault on her husband, who yet had children by Leah, she speaks this in a womanish passion, never considering to whom she spake, or by what means he should be able to satisfy her desire.

or else I die ] For grief, Prov. 14. 30. It will be my death, and I shall have no desire to live, Job 5. 2. Barrenness counted a reproach, v. 23.

V. 2. Am I in God's stead] ch. 50. 19. God only can give children. ch. 16. 2. 20. 18. Psal. 113 9. 127. 3. Therefore Isaac, and Hannah; and others go to God by prayer for children, Gen. 25. 21. 1 Sam. 1. 10.

V. 3. Bilhah ] By the example of Sarah, ch. 16. 2.

hear upon my knees ] Brought forth and nursed on my knees, ch. 50. 23.

that I may ] So she calls them hers, and she gives them names, v. 6, 8. claiming a kind of motherhood in her Hand-maids issue; the Hand-maids children by nature were the Dames by adoption, or in right of her husband by the Law given afterwards, in Exod. 21. 4. And so Rachel made account that some part of her barrenness was put away, and some of her husbands good will swayed from her sister (whose envious rival she was,) to her side.

V. 4. Handmaid to wife ] Called a Concubine, ch. 35. 22. so a secondary wife is called, such was Hagar, ch. 16. 3. Keturah, 1 Chron. 1. 32. and Zilpah, v. 9. ye • she and Zilpah are called his two women-servants, ch. 32. 22. The sons of Bilhah and Zilpah became Heads of tribes, and did in herit in Canaan, as well as the sons of Leah and Rachel.

V. 5. And bare Jacob a son ] An improbable cunjecture it is, that this should be the same year, wherein Leah did bear Levi.

V. 6. God hath judged me ] On my side against Leah, who upbraided me with barrenness, as Peninnah did Hannah, 1 Sam. 1, 6. so judging is used, 1 Sam. 24. 15. 2 Sam, 18. 19 Gen 49. 16.

V. 8. Have I wrestled ] By prayer, and by all means.

V. 9 Left bearing ] An improbable conjecture it is, that it was not above half a year that she stayed ere she conceived again. And yet to these straits they are driven that hold the opinion, that Jacob did not marry till the beginning of the last seven years service.

V. 13. Call me blessed] Luke 1. 48. Cant. 6. 9

V. 14. Reuben ] Must now need • be more then five years old, rather eight or nine, having seven brethren at this time borne after him; three of his own mother, and four by the two Hand-maids whiles his mother left off bearing. And yet if he were now but five or six years old, as the late Annotat. affirm on this verse, there would remain but one or two years for her three last children, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah▪ which helps still to make against the foresaid opinion formerly rejected.

mandrakes ] Pleasant to the eye, and of a sweet smell, Cant. 7. 13. Lovely flowers, whether those we call mandrakes, i • is uncertain. But it seems they were of some esteem amongst them, such ado is here kept about them.

V. 15. Hast taken my husband ] His affection from me, and so his conjug • l duty belonging to me, that he doth estrange himself from my bed through thee. Haply these contentions were not merely carnal; but aimed and reached further.

shall lie with thee] Rachel makes ill use of her husbands great affection to her, takes upon her the disposal of his person, and hires him out • or a trifle to her sister.

V. 16. Leah went out to meet him ] To make sure, he should not go in to Rachel. It seems they had several tents.

V. 17. And God hearkened unto Leah] v. 22. Therefore she prayed to him, for a child. God's Providence reacheth to the numbering of our hairs, Mat. 10. 30.

and she conceived ] Not the same year that Zilpah her Hand-maid had her first son; much less the fifth year of the last seven years service.

V. 21. Diuah] Ch. 34.

V. 23. My reproach] Of Barrenness, 1 Sam. 1. 6. Isaiah 4. 1. Luke 1. 25.

V. 24. The Lord shall add ] Prayer-wise. See the accomplishment, ch. 35. 7.

V. 25. When Rachel had borne] Jacob then was ninety years old.

send me away ] He being now out of Laban's debt, chap. 31. 41.

mine own place] Ch. 28. 13. The respect he had to the Promise made him earnest to return thither.

V. 26. Give me my wiv • s] cb 21. 21. He would not have stolen them away against his will, and have married them after. He had served for them, and yet here craves his good leave to depart. Though afterwards upon good occasion he steals away, ch. 31. 20.

V. 27. Favor in ahine eyes] Ch. 18. 3.

for thy sake] Ch 39. 3.

V. 30. Since my coming ] And at my labor.

and now when ] I being now ninety years old, 1 Tim. 5. 8. He alters his former real intention to return presently, upon good considerations. And God did not command his return, till ch. 31. 3, 13.

V. 31. Not give me anything ] No fit wages; nothing out of thy precedent or present estate, but out of that which shall accrue to thee afterwards.

V. 32. I will pass through] Jacob will depend upon God's bounty, rather then upon Laban's churlish covetousness.

and of such shall be my hire ] Of the speckled only, when no speckled ones were left in the flock. But only white ones.

V. 34. I would it might be ] For this was likely to be a good bargain for Laban, for naturally cattle bring forth young ones like themselves; yet seeing the issue of this, Laban changes this course ch. 31. 7.

V. 37. Rods ] This he did at the ramming-time; and it seems by God's command, ch. 31. 9, 10. 11, 12. in recompense of his sore labors, ch. 31. 38, 40. As the Israelites dealt with the Egyptians, at God's command. And otherwise Laban would have sent him away empty, ch. 31. 42. Ezech. 39. 10.

V. 38. Conceive ] The color of the rods, haply made also the shadows of the rams that leaped upon them, to appear particoloured in the water. And the strength of fancy or imagination is much at such a time of conception, and specially with God's blessing upon it, as here.

V. 40. The Lambs ] That were particoloured.

and set the faces ] That so they might conceive the like, as they did before, by seeing the pilled rods in the troughs.

his own flocks by themselves ] Not amongst Laban's cattle, lest his own seeing Laban's cattle of one color, shouln engender the like to Laban's, and so be Laban's, not his. A third device.

V. 43. Increased exceedingly ] Thus even in temporal things God abundantly blessed him, ch. 31. 9.

CHAP. XXXI.

Ver. 1. GOtten all this glory ] i. e. riches. Riches procure men honor and glory in the eyes of the world. And worldly men esteem them as their chiefest glory, Psal. 49. 16, 17. Riches and glory, or honor are joined together, Prov. 3. 16. 8. 18. Eccl. 6. 2.

V. 2. Countenance ] Bewrayes the heart; its looking glass.

V. 3. Return ] Thus God removes all Jacob's fears and doubts. And Jacob makes use of it, ch. 32. 9.

V. 5. Hath been with me ] To bid me return, v. 3, 13.

V. 7. Ten times ] That is, many times. So, Numb. 14. 22. Job 19. 3. Lev. 26. 26. Zech. 8. 23. yet ten times may well be in six years, if sheep in Mesopotamia bring forth young twice a year, as some say now they do in Italy.

suffered him not ] God's restraining grace in the wicked, ch. 20. 6.

V. 8. Ring straked ] With a round strake like a ring, of a contrary color about their leg. Thus Laban ties and restrains him to that one mark.

all the cattle • For the greatest part.

V. 9. God hath] No fraud in Jacob.

V. 10. In a dream ] Sent of God, six years afore this time, and this apparition, v. 13.

V. 11. Angel] The God of Bethel, v. 13. which appeared to him in Bethel, ch. 28. 13. ch. 48. 16. the Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 3. Exod. 23, 20, 21.

V. 13. I am the God ] This Apparition was six year after the former.

of Bethel ] Putting him in mind of his promise and vow there made by him, and accepted by God, thus approving the name itself, and his service there vowed, ch. 28. 18, 19, 22.

now arise ] Without delay.

V. 14. Rachel and Leah ] The younger first named, as the best beloved, and who should have been the elder wise. So, Ruth 4. 11.

V. 15. Strangers ] Dealt with us as strangers rather then children.

hath sold us ] To thee for fourteen years service.

our money ] What we might have had in money or money worth, for thy fourteen years service being our husband; whereas in good conscience he should have given us that as our portion, he hath converted it to his own use. And should he do so with the wages God hath given thee, for us and our children, for thy last six years service also?

V. 16. Whatsoever God hath said ] This is a binding reasun, which answers all doubts, and secures against all after-claps.

V. 18. To go to Isaac ] By the way he stayed about six years at Succoth, and at Shalem a City of Shechem, till Dinah was marriageable, who came from Laban at six or seven years of age, ch. 30. 21. 33. 18. 34. 1. After he stayed at Bethel, but not long, notwithstanding God's command for his dwelling there, ch. 35. 1. as appears by the birth of Benjamin by the way, when he left Bethel, ch. 35 16, 17, 18. and the number of Benjamins children, when they all went down into Egypt, ch. 46. 21. Joseph being then forty years old, and Benjamin but twenty seven, though he were borne within a year after Dinah's ravishing, nor doth it appear that Jacob stayed long about the tower of Edar, before he came to Isaac to Mamre. ch. 35. 21, 22, 23, 27.

V. 19. Rachel had stolen the images] Teraphim. Laban calls them his gods, his household-gods, • deos penates, v. 30. Images likely in the shape of men, 1 Sam. 19. 13, 16. where the word plural Teraphim signifies one image, used in divine worship by idolaters, Judge. 17 5. 18. 14, 17, 20 Hos. 3. 4. consulted withal as Oracles, Ezech. 21. 21. Zech. 10. 2. as Ahaziah did with Beelzebub, 2 King. 1. 2. put down by Josiah and other godly Kings, 2 Kings 23. 24.

V. 21. The river] Euphrates, Josh. 24. 2, 3.

Gilead ] Ag eat mountain, or tract of mountains Eastward of Jordan, running through the Kingdoms of Sihon and Og, the tribes, two 1/2 Deut. 3. 12. and having in several parts several names, as Gilead, Seir, Hermon and Libanus, the country under it very fertile, called the land of Gilead, Jer. 22. 6. 8. 22. 46. 11. Gen. 37. 25. Numb. 32. 1. Here called Gilead by Anticipation; See v. 47.

V. 22. The third day] Ch. 30. 36. 31. 19. Laban's fact proved Jacob's advantage, Job 5. 12, 13.

V. 23. Seven days journey ] From the time he set forward in his pursuit, three days of Jacob's journey were spent ere Laban knew of it. Likely three days more in his return from his sheep-shearing to his home, and in preparing. Then these seven days in pursuit were twice swifter, and gained more way then Jacob could in his slow pace, chap. 33. 14. This then is the thirteenth day of Jacob's journey.

V. 24. And God came] So, ch. 20. 3, 7. Numb. 22. 9.

take heed ] A commination and rebuke, v. • 9, 42.

either good or bad] V. 29. Not simply; but to this end to bring him back again, or hinder him in his journey, or any way to hurt him, as is the present intent of thy pursuit, 2 Sam. 13. 22.

V. 26. As captives ] They went willingly, ver. 14, 15, 16.

V. 27. Sent thee away with mirth ] He had no such mind then, nor willingly now, but as God over-powered him.

V. 28. To kiss ] A Ceremony used both at meering and parting, ch. 29. 11. 27. 26. Exod. 4. 27. Gen. 31. 55. 33. 4. Ruth 1. 14. 2 Sam. 14. 33.

foolishly] Jacob did it wisely, and that Laban himself knew.

V. 29. It is in the power] A vain brag, like Pilate's, John 19. 10, 11.

V. 30. Stollen my gods? ] Vanity of idolatry and idolaters, that their gods can be stolen: gods plurally is spoken of one image, Ex. 32, 8. And so Teraphim plurally signifies sometimes one image, 1 Sam. 19. 13. 16. Though Jacob was twenty years with Laban, yet Laban continued an idolater. Not thinking yet those Teraphims to be gods, but that he worshipped God in them, by them and with them.

V. 32. Let him not live ] A severe judgment, proceeding from confidence of innocence: uttered in detestation of theft, but much more of idolatry, yet done more rashly then wisely, when he extended it beyond the innocence of his own person.

V. 33. Tent ] Each sort had several tents. See, Annot. on ch. 23. 2.

V. 35. The custom of women] Lev. 15. 19.

V. 36. Wroth and chode ] Be angry, but sin not, Eph. 4. 26. upon just cause, whence innocence is slandered.

V. 37. May judge ] Lay the blame where it is due.

V. 39. I bear the loss of it ] Though against the rule of right, Exod. 22 10, 13.

V. 40. Thus I was] Laban's iniquity drives Jacob to praise and justify himself. So, 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 1. Hos. 12. 12. Deut. 26. 5.

V. 41. Ten times] V 7, 8.

V. 42. The fear of Isaac] V. 53. ch. 27. 33. 32, 9 • Psal. 76. 11. Isaiah 8. 13. As elsewhere called the Hope of Israel.

yesternight] V. 24.

V. 43. And all that thou seest is mine ] 1 Kings 20 3. A brag, as if Jacob had nothing by desert from Laban, or gift from God.

and what can I do ] As if he should say, I cannot hurt them but I must hurt myself. But why did he then so pursue? surely not to make this ensuing Covenant; it was not his mind then. Jacob may thank God for all, who had thus bridled, if not altered Laban.

V 44. A Covenant] Ch. 21. 32.

V. 45. A stone ] Heap of stones, v. 46, 48, 51. as, chap. 28. 19.

a pillar ] A Monument of the Covenant.

V. 46. Brethren, gather stones] Jacob speaks to his own family and Laban's too, v. 51.

did eat there upon the heap] After the Covenant made, v. 54.

V. 47. Jegar-Sahadutha] In Laban's Syrian language • .

Galced ] The same in Jacob's Hebrew language. Hence likely the mountain and country took the name of Gilead.

V. 48. This heap is a witness ] A sign, memo rial, which may be alleged in after-times as a witness.

Galeed ] Therefore by anticipation so called, v. 21.

V. 49. Mizpah ] Near Mount Hermon and Lebanon, Josh. 11. 3. watch-tower. There were afterwards divers places of that name; one in Judah's lot, Josh. 15. 38. another in Benjamins, Josh. 18. 26. another in Moab, 1 Sam. 22. 3.

V. 50. If thou shalt ] Implying the words of a curse, as is usual in this case, ch. 14. 23 forbearing the expression of the words of the curse, either out of fear or unwillingness to mention it in particular, or as yielding to any curse in general, if they break Promise and Covenant; so, ch. 24. 3.

V. 52. To thee ] For harm.

V. 53. The God of Nahor, the God of their father] Terah: both idolaters, Josh. 24. 2. The idolater swears by his gods, his idols.

V. 54. Offered sacrifice ] Killed beasts, for a feast, not sacrifice. Feasts used at the making of Covenants, ch. 26. 30. Numb, 22. 40. 1 Kings 1. 9. 19 21. 1 Sam. 28. 44.

V. 55. Blessed them ] Thus God over-rules the wicked; so, ch. 33. 4. so he turned Balaam's curse into a blessing, Numb. 23. 11. Deut. 23. 5. so the minds of the Barbarians towards Paul, Acts 28. 4, 5, 6.

CHAP. XXXII.

Verse 1. ANgelis of God ] To comfort and confirm him against the future fear and danger by Esau, Psal 91. 11.

met him ] In a visible Apparition when he was awake.

V. 2. God's Host ] Camp, Army, Heavenly soldiers, Luke 2. 13. Horses and chariots of fire, 2 Kings 6. 17. fighting for God's people against their enemies, Dan. 10. 13, 20. 2 Kings 19. 35. Psal. 34. 7. Hoste ] For their Numbers, Order, Power, Employment; Angel the Guardian of Jacob; but two Hosts, Heb. 1. 14. No Angel is restrained from a particular ministration to any of the Elect, nor any of the Elect so allotted to the custody of any Angel, that he may not expect the protection of many.

Mahanaim ] Two armies, the word is of the Dual number, Cant. 6. 13. on either hand of him, or before and behind, Ps. 34. 7. 91. 11. Here is not one peculiar Angel. It seems not so likely, that by the two Armies should be meant, the one of the Angels, the other of Jacob's family. Hence likely is the name of that City, Josh. 21. 38. in the tribe of Gal, assigned to the Levites the children of Merari.

V. 3. Land of Seir] Ch. 14. 6. Deut. 2. 22. The Horims dwelt there afore; called Seir, not from Esau, but from Seir a Chorite or Horite, ch. 36. 20, 21. ch. 14 6. Thither was Esau gone, ch. 36. 6, 7, 8. And that lay in Jacob's way, which he must pass.

V. 4. My Lord Esau. Thy servant Jacob] V. 18. 33. 8. Not here by prejudicing or renouncing the birth-right or blessing, ch. 27. 29. Though yielding for a time, as David, after he was anointed, did to Saul, so Jacob here to pacify Esau's old malice, and present rage, v. 5. Prov. 15. 1. waiting by faith for the Promise, which was to be accomplished in future times.

I have sojourned with Laban ] As an exile, as it were so long, and rendering to him an accompt of his time spent.

V. 5. And I have oxen ] And so will not be burdensome to him, or to his fathers house, not gape after his fathers riches, nor be a reproach to their family by his poverty, nor seek Esau's favor for his own profit sake.

to tell my lord ] q. d. I would not pass by thee without acquainting thee with it.

V. 6. Four hundred men ] Most likely, with a bloody intent, how grievous soever it might be to his aged father, v. 8. These were too many for ostentation sake.

V. 7. Greatly afraid ] The infirmity of the flesh appears, the Angels being gone.

he divided] V. 8. Another division, ch. 33. 1, 2. Good and godly policy, so, v. 16, 17, 18. and, ch. 14. 15. 30. 38.

V. 9. O God ] He falls to prayer as his only safe-guard. And prayers not to the Angels that appeared for their mediation. But labors to strengthen himself, and his faith in God, and his Promises and Word throughout his Prayer.

of my father ] To whom thou hast made such promises. He prays not to Abraham.

which saidst unto me, Return] Ch. 31. 13. Be now as good as thyword, to me obeying it.

V. 10. I am not worthy of the least ] Nor of this I now beg; so, ch. 18. 27. 2 Sam. 9 7, 8. Luke 17. 10. Though he justly pleaded his merit to Laban, ch. 31. 38.

the truth ] In performing thy gracious Promises and Predictions.

this Jordan ] Now in sight, being in Mount Gilead or nearer.

two bands] V. 7.

V. 11. And the mother with the children ] Or upon them, as, Hos. 10. 14. Deut 22. 6.

V 12. And thou saidest] Ch. 28. 14, 15. 31. 3.

V. 13. Which came to his hand ] The night, and his haste to prevent his brother, would not suffer him to stand upon choice, 1 Sam 25. 8.

a Present ] Rich, of five hundred and eighty head of cattle, a stock for breed. As Jacob prayeth and trusteth in God and his Promises, so yet he useth means, Prov. 17. 8. 18. 16.

V. 16. A space betwixt] V. 20. To mitigate his displeasure by degrees, ch. 33. 8, 9. and that if he fell in hostile manner upon the first, the other might seek the better to escape.

V. 20. Jacob is behind us ] Lest Esau might surmise that he sent these only, that he in the mean season might escape some other way.

V. 21. That night ] Not that, v. 13. but the night following, having spent the day before in sending away the droves and Presents by his servants.

V. 22. Two women-servants ] So are Bilhah and Zilpah called here.

eleven sons] Dinah his daughter not mentioned. And Benjamin not yet borne.

Jabb • ak] Deut. 2. 37. 3. 16. Numb. 21. 24. Josh. 12. 2. Judge. 11. 13. the border of the children of Ammon. If Jacob now had not been well settled in the confidence of God's Protection, he would not likely have passed over this river, as having better means to escape on the other side, Or rather, he being last, stayed yet on the other side of the river.

V. 23 Sent them ever ] He remaining behind, left alone on the other side, v. 24. And there, without knowledge of any, wrestled with the Angel that night, v. 24. 26, 31.

V. 24. Wrestled] Jacob wrestling both spiritually and corporally. He deignes this, who afterwards deigned to be borne in a stable, to die on a Cross for us, Isaiah 55. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28.

a man ] God in the shape of a man, even Christ, v. 26, 28, 30. Called God, and an Angel, Hos. 12. 3, 4. that Angel, Gen. 48. 16 Mal. 3. 1. that Arch-Angel Michael, Jude v. 9. After he had stayed behind alone, purposely to pray, as he did, Hos. 12. 4. with weeping, at the last the Lord appeared and set on him with wr • stling.

until the breaking of the day ] A private wrestling without Spectators, v. 26. nor then did Jacob fully know with whom he wrestled.

V. 25. And when he saw ] This is spoken after the manner of men. God knows all, with one pure and perfect act.

that he prevailed not ] With that measure of strength, which God in that assumed body was then pleased to take and use, Gen. 19. 22. Mar. 6. 5. Mat. 15. 22. 24. 27, 28. Exod. 32, 10. Luke 24. 29. To confirm him hereby, that he should prevail with Esau.

out of joint ] The huckle-bone, where the Sciatica is, to humble him that he should not be exalted out of measure: but know by whose indulgence he did prevail; and this halting to remain as a monument of it, and of this Apparition.

V. 26. Let me go ] Speaks after the manner of men, whose shape he had taken, and to put Jacob in mind of haste to his affairs, Isaiah 64. 7. Cant. 3. 4.

except thou bless me ] Now then he knew him to be an Angel, the Arch-angel. Here is his wrestling by prayers and tears, knowing him now to be God, Hos. 12. 4. The power of prayer, Deut. 9. 14.

V. 27. What is thy name ] God knew well enough, as what was become of Abel; and Adam, ch. 3. and 4. He asketh his name, to take occasion for what himself meant to say of the change of his name.

V. 28. No more Jacob ] Only, so, 1 Sam. 8. 7. Jer. 7. 22. or principally. The Jews are never called Jacobites but Israelites; as, Exod. 16. 8. See, Annotations on chap. 46. 2.

but Israel ] The change of names for honor sake; so in Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Daniel and others. Isaiah 62. 2, see, ch. 35. 10.

with men] Laban already, Esau shortly.

V. 29. Tell me, I pray thee, thy Name ] As God asked before his name v. 27. so Jacob here returns a like demand, hoping he would give himself some peculiar name, whereby he might have the surer and clearer knowledge of him, and the better remember and honor him, Judge. 13. 17. God appeared to Jacobat least thrice before, yet not having the like occasion, he doth not, as now, ask his name.

wherefore is it ] A refusal to satisfy his curiosity; as likewise, Judge. 13. 17, 18. It would be curiosity in us to ask the reason of this resusal, 1 Sam. 6. 19. some Angels had names, as Gabriel, Luke 1. 19, 26. Christ the Angel of the Covenant is named Michael, Dan. 10. 21. Jude v. 9. Apoc. 12. 7. Rom. 12. 3.

blessed him ] So granting his request, v. 26.

V. 30. Peniel ] And Penuel, v. 31. Exod. 33. 11. so before in ch. 28. 19. In this place afterward a City and Tower was built, and spoiled by Gideon, Judge. 8. 8, 17. and built again by Jeroboam, 1 Kings 12. 25.

God face to face] Jacob now knew him to be God, Exod. 33. 11, 20, 23. Deut. 34. 10.

and my life is preserved ] Which the godly feared when they saw visions of God. See, Annotat. on chap. 16. 13.

V. 31. He halted ] Infirmities we have in temptations and wrestlings with God, whether cured of it afterwards, or it still continued, we read not.

V. 32. Eate not ] In any creatures. To perpetuate the memory of this honor done to Jacob.

unto this day ] Till Moses time; without fault or folly in abstaining.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Verse 1. HE divided] Ch. 32. 16.

V. 2. He put ] The dearest he reserves to the safest place.

V. 3. Before them ] This shows his fatherly affection, and his faith in the Promises. It seems he followed the five droves of cattle, and went before his children and their mothers, that were in three companies.

bowed ] See Annot. on ch. 32. 4. Humility goeth before honor.

Seven times ] Sometimes taken for many times, 1 Sam. 2. 5. Prov. 26. 25.

V. 4. Kissed him] Esau's heart really changed, Luk. 15. 20. Prov. 26. 7.

V. 8. What meanest thou ] The servants had told him; but he thus takes occasion courteously to refuse them.

V. 9. I have enough ] Many will never say so, Eccl. 4 8. Prov. 30. 15.

V. 10. Face of God ] Honorable and comfortable. The Scripture useth to entitle to God the things that excel; so the Mountains of God, the City of God, Prince of God, Wrastlings of God, Cedars of God, and seeing the light of God's countenance shine evidently in the cheerful countenance of his brother, Psal. 41. 11.

V. 11. My blessing ] Gift of good will to thee, which God hath blessed me with, 1 Sam. 25. 27. blessing thee, and God for thee, 1 Sam. 30. 26. 2 Kings 5. 15. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6.

he took it ] It is a more blessed thing to give then to receive, Acts 20. 35. Gen. 14. 23.

V. 14. Be able to endure] Isaiah 40. 11. Mar. 4. 33. 1 Cor. 3. 2. 9 22. Rom. 15. 1.

until I come unto my Lord ] We read not that he performed this Promise. After, upon some reasons he might change his mind, ( Mat. 2. 12.) Or go to him with a few, making no stay. For it is not like that he would so soon, by so manifest a contempt or neglect, provoke afresh his new reconciled brother.

V. 15. Let me find grace] Ch 34 11. 47. 25. 1 Sam. 25 8. 2 Sam 16. 4. Ru • h 2. 13.

V. 17. To Succoth] Here first so named, Judge. 8. 15, 16. Exod. 12. 37. Lev. 23. 34.

and built him an house ] Not yet that he stayed here long.

V. 18. To Shalem ] Or Salem, Thought to be Sychar, Joh. 4. 5. Not that Salem where Melchizedek reigned. This Salem was about forty miles distant from it, John 3. 23. There is Salim near Ae non, haply that mentioned, 1 Sam. 9. • .

a C ty of Shechem] Sychem, Acts 7. 16. Sychai, John 4. 5, 6.

pitched his tent ] Dwelt at Succoth, and here most about six years, till Dinah was ravishable, and Jacob's sons able men to slay the Shechemites.

V. 19. And he bought] As Abraham did, ch. 23. 17, 18. See Annot. there.

a parcel of a field ] After it became the portion of Joseph and his children. (And perhaps that legacy of Jacob on his death-bed, ch. 48. 22) Josh. 24. 32 Here Christ had conference with the woman of Samaria, Joh. 4. 5.

of Hamor] Acts 7. 16. Emor.

a hundred pieces ] Or lambs. Ancient custom to buy and sell by exchanging one thing for another. Or money having the pictures of Lambs stamped on them, whence pecunia hath its name à pecude, Josh. 24. 32. Job 42. 11. the same word Kesitah is used, where it must be understood of a piece of money, likely of gold, for a Lamb were too small a gift. Kesitah is 1 d. ob.

V. 20. An Altar ] As, ch 12. 8. 13. 3, 4, 18. 26. 25. He repaired that Altar Abraham had built there, ch. 12. 6, 7.

El-eohe-Israel] Exod. 17. 15. Figuratively calling the sign by the name of the thing signified. This the name of the Altar, not the Inscription upon the Altar.

Judah 's departure from his brethren, and marrying a Canaanitish woman, ch. 38. 1. fell not out at this time; but before. See Annot. on that place.

CHAP. XXXIV.

Verse 1. ANd Dinah] Ch. 30. 21, 22. This must needs be about six years after Jacob's coming from Laban, and Dinah at this time but thirteen years old at most; because of Benjamins birth a while after this, ch. 35. 16, 17, 18. who, if borne the next year, yet can be but twenty six years old, when he went with his father into Egypt, and had then ten sons, ch. 46. 21.

went out to see ] Likely upon some festival day, and also herself alone, Tit. 2. 5.

V. 2. Hamor] Acts 7. 16. Emor or Emmor.

V. 3. And s • ache kindly ] To comfort her, being afflicted for the injury done her, as Tamar in like case was, 2 Sam. 13. 13, 19.

V. 5. Jacob held his peace ] Though sorrowful enough. So Aaron, Lev 10. 3. and David, Psal. 39. 9. Thus Jacob ruling his own spirit, did better then his sons that took the City, Prov. 16. 32.

until ] As fittest to comfort and counsel him.

V. 7. And the sons of Jacob] Reuben being born the first year of Jacob's coming to Laban, was now about twenty five years old, Simeon twenty four, Levi twenty three.

wroth ] In hatred of the sin, and for the disgrace and reproach of the Church.

folly ] So the rape, Judge. 20. 6. and Achan's sacrilege, Josh. 7. 15. are called folly, Rom. 1. 22. Folly in offending God, losing the soul, forfeiting heaven, gaining hell.

in Israel ] This name given him first, ch. 32. 28. Therefore these words likely are the words, not of Jacob's sons, but of Moses, who writeth this story, according to the phrase of speech used in his time, and suitable to the words of the Law, delivered by him afterwards, Deut. 23. 17. See, Deut. 21. 21. Josh. 7. 15. Judge. 20. 6.

V. 8. With them ] Likely apart from their father.

Your daughter ] They treating in their fathers name as well as in their own. So, v. 17.

V. 11. I will give ] See, Annot on ch. 29. 18. Amnon did far worse with Tamar, 2 Sam. 13. Exod. 22. 16, 17. and, Deut. 22. 28, 29, is in satisfaction for wrong done; not upon a free and equal motion and proceeding in marriage.

V. 13. And the sons of Jacob ] Without their fathers consent.

deceitfully ] Without their fathers knowledge. He was a plain man and sincere, ch. 25. 27.

V. 14. Uncircumcised ] Superfluous. Though Isaac and Jacob were married to women of Bethael and Laban's family, where circumcision of the males in all likelihood was not in use.

V. 15. But in this will we] Jacob would not have the holy Sacrament profaned, and obtruded upon unbelievers, nor his holy seed to be mingled with the cursed Canaanites, (Deut. 7. 3, 4) Neither did Jacob's sons here deal otherwise then deceitfully, v. 25.

be circumcised ] Thus they abuse and prostitute the holy Sacrament to their bloody purpose, and under color of Religion cover their deceit; so did Jozebel, 1 Kings 21, 9, 10. and Absalom, 2 Sam. 15. 7, 8.

V. 16. Our daughters ] Which we have or shall have.

V. 17. Our daughter ] As, v. 8. using the name of their father.

V. 19. More honorable ] His great esteem was one ground of his present prevailing so much with all the men, in so strange a request.

V. 20. The gate of their City ] Where were the public Assemblies and Courts of justice. See, Annotat. on chap. 23. 10.

V. 23. And every beast of theirs be ours? ] Not as a spoil from them, but by commerce, marriages and the like.

V. 25. On the third day ] The Critical day, by Physicians, for wounds.

Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren ] By father and mother, Reuben was of a more mild nature, ch. 37. 29. They only the chief Authors and Actors, others also both brethren and servants like to be Assistants, v 13, 27.

boldly ] Because the wounded men could not resist them; and the City was secure.

slew all the males ] A male had done the wrong. Their wives and little ones they took captives, v. 29. God might justly suffer this for the Shechemites own sins, and take occasion for it from the sin of their Prince, 1 Chron. 32. 25. 2 Sam 24. 1, 15, 17.

V. 27. The sons of Jacob] The rest likely.

and spoiled the City] V. 28, 29. of murderers become robbers.

they had defiled their sister ] One of them had, and the other repressed it not, nor judged him for it; So, Josh. 7. 1, 11, 12. 22. 20.

V. 29. Captive ] What they did after with them we read not.

in the house ] In every house, chiefly Shechems house wherein Dinah was, v. 2 • .

V. 30. Unto Simeon and Levi ] As the chief offenders.

ye have troubled me ] He then was neither privy to, nor approver of this massacre. And therefore, ch. 49. 5, 6, 7. he doth by the spirit of prophecy curse them for it, Josh. 6. 18. 7. 25. 1 Kings 18. 18. For this fact likely he deprives them of their birth-right, as Reuben for his sin, and confers it on Judah, chap. 49. Prov. 11 29.

to make me ] Though he were in no fault.

to stink ] Cruelty and treachery are odious crimes, Ex. 5. 22. 1 Chron. 19 6.

V. 31. As with an harlot ] A stubborn answer. In the Hebrew Zonah, the first letter is extraordinarily great. In ch. 23. 2. There is a little letter to note Abraham's moderation without excess in weeping.

CHAP. XXXV.

Verse 1. ANd God said] Jacob being now perplexed with fear, for that done to the Shechemites, and likely thinking thereupon of removing, God here bespeaks him, as followeth.

said ] Whether by vision, or dream, or in what manner is not set down.

to Bethel ] Southward from Shechem about thirty English miles.

and dwelt there ] Yet he dwelt a small while there, as appears by the birth of Benjamin, after he went from Bethel, v. 16, 18. And from Dinah's ravishing at Shechem, to Benjamins going down with his father into Egypt, there can be no more then twenty seven years; reckoning Joseph to be thirteen years old when Dinah was ravished, both being borne in one year, ch. 30 21, 22. and Joseph being forty years old in the third year of famine, when Benjamin with his father came down into Egypt. And Benjamin then had ten sons, ch. 46. 21.

an Altar unto God ] Altars built by Noah. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob himself, chap. 33. 20. To sacrifice thereon.

unto God ] Speaks of himself in the third person. So, Ex. 20. 7, 10, 11.

that appeared unto thee ] Thereby minding him of God's gracious Promises, and of his own vow there made, ch. 28. 22.

when thou fleddest ] And wast in as much danger then, as thou art in now.

V. 2. Unto his household] Jacob's religious care of his household.

and to all that were with him ] This may relate to the captived Shechemites, and to all of his retinue and followers.

Put away ] So, Josh. 24. 23. Judge. 10. 16. 1 Sam. 7. 3, 4. no mixture permitted, no toleration allowed in a false worship, Deut. 29. 9 10, 11. 1 Sam, 5. 1. 2 Cor. 6. 16.

Strange gods ] Of strange Nations, and other people, differing from the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whether Laban's gods stolen by Ruchel, and it may be yet unknown to Jacob; or any other brought by any other of his retinue, when they came from Laban and Mesopotamia; or any gods of the Shechemies, their captives among them, worshipped by them, or taken as spoil, and secretly kept for the tichnesse of them.

and change your garments ] Putting on others or washing these, Zech. 3. 3, 4, 5. Exod. 19. 10, 14. Ceremonies afterwards enjoined by the Law in divers cases, Lev. 15. 13. Numb. 31, 23. importing change of mind and manners, cleansing from sin to holiness, Jude v. 23. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Ezech. 16. 8, 10 Apoc. 3. 4, 18. 7. 14.

V. 3. And go up to Bethel] Eccl. 5. 1. The House of God, that dreadful, the gate of Heaven, chap. 28. 17. Therefore in a special manner they should prepare and sanctify themselves.

I will make ] And perform my vow.

an Altar ] V. 1, 7. after a pillar, v. 14.

of my distress ] About twenty seven years ago.

V. 4. And all their ear-rings ] Idolatrous monuments, Hos. 2. 13. Judge 8. 24, 25, 26. 27. Deut. 7. 25, 26. Exod. 32 2, 3, 4.

under an oak ] From the knowledge of his family and people, Isaiah 30. 22. Under an oak by Shechem, Joshua set up a great stone for a witness of the people's Covenant with God, Josh. 24. 26, 27. And there the Shechemites made Abimelech King, Judge. 9. 6. Oaks and groves of trees forbidden in worship, and used by idolaters, Isaiah 1. 29.

by Shechem] Shiloh and the Tabernacle of God were after there, or by Shechem, Josh. 24. 1, 25, 26.

V. 5. Terror of God] Ch. 34. • 0. In all human reason they easily might have destroyed him and his, Exod. 23. 27. Josh. 2. 9, 11. God's restraining hand upon the wicked. See, Annot. on ch. 20. 6.

V. 7. An Altar ] According to part of his vow, ch. 28. 22.

El-Bethel ] Here he adds to the former name, chap. 28. 19.

V. 8. Rebekah's nurse ] Sent with Rebekah, ch. 24. 59. And Jacob being now returned into Canaan, and being there now about seven years, and not very far from his fathers house, she thence might come to him of her own accord, or he send for her, or fetch her, if she did not return into Mesopotamia, and thence come along with Jacob.

V. 9. Again ] This is the seventh time God revealed himself to Jacob in special, manner, ch. 28. 13. 31. 3, 11. 32. 1, 2, 24. v. 35. 1.

V. 10. But Israel shall be thy name ] Confirmes this name to him the second time. See Annotat. on chap. 32. 28.

V. 11. I am God Almighty ] Confirmes and amplifies the Promises made, ch. 28. and ch. 32.

Kings ] Thus God gives him the blessing of Abraham, ch. 28. 4. 17. 6.

V. 12. To thee] Not to Esau.

V. 13. And God went up] Chap. 17. 22. Judges 13. 20.

V. 14. Set up a pillar ] Repaired the old, set up near thirty years ago, ch. 28. 18. or rather a new one in the very place here named.

a drink-offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon ] These in use before the Ceremonial Law by Moses, chap. 28. 18.

V. 16. A little way ] About a mile short of Bethlehem, ch. 48. 7. 2 King. 5. 19.

Ephrath ] Which is Bethlehem, v. 19. The Prophet joins them, And thou Bethlehem Ephratah, Micah 5. 2. called also Bethlehem-Judah, to distinguish it from another in Galilee, in the tribe of Zebulun. Here our Savior was borne.

V. 17. This son also] Ch 30. 24.

V. 18. As her soul was in departing ] To God that gave it, Eccl. 12. 7. being itself immortal, as appeareth here; and as is confessed by Heathens themselves, as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and others; and so again life is restored, when the soul comes again into the body, 1 Kings 17. 21, 22.

for she died ] Who formerly would die for want of children, ch. 30. 1.

Ben-oni ] The like case is, 1 Sam. 4. 20, 21.

Benjamin] Psal. 80. 17. Now was Joseph about twelve or thirteen years old, six years old when he came from Laban, and six or seven years more since he came into Canaan, till the birth of Benjamin after Dinah 's ravishing And B • njamin was twenty seven or tweney eight when he went into Egypt with his ten sons, Joseph then being forty, and Benjamin younger then he twelve or thirteen years.

V. 19. Buried in the way ] About this place many infants were murdered by Herod, Mat 2. 16, 18 Jer. 31. 15.

V. 20. A pillar ] Monuments and memorials for the dead are lawful and useful too.

unto this day ] Till Moses time, and after that to Saul's time, 1 Sam. 10. 2.

V. 21. Tower of Edar ] i e Of the flock, Micah. 4. 8. It may be hereabouts the Angels appeared to the shepherds, Luke 2. 8.

V. 22. His fathers Concubine ] See Annot. on ch. 22. 24. and on ch. 25. 1. By this he justly lost his birth-right, ch. 49. 4. 1 Chron. 5. 1. So Absalom sinned with his fathers Concubines, 2 Sam. 16. 22. And as David abstained from them afterwards, 2 Sam. 20. 3. so likely Jacob did from Bilhah.

and Israel heard it ] Here is an empty space left in the line, with a mark to move consideration. As likewise in Gen. 4. 8. And also a pause or breaking off as to a new matter, even in the midst of the verse. So in Deuteron. 2. 8.

twelve ] He had no more after. Dinah was a daughter, and Joseph was one of the twelve; yet after when the twelve tribes were accounted and settled, Ephraim and Manasseh were put in, and Joseph and Levi (in a sort) left out, Levi for any land by lot in Canaan. They are called the twelve Patriarchs, Acts 7. 8. and twelve tribes, Acts 26. 7. Their names engraved on twelve precious stones, on the High Priests plate, Exod. 28. 21, 29. and on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, Ezech. 48. 31. Apoc. 21. 12. The Apostles of Christ were twelve, and their names written on the twelve foundations of the wall or the City of the new Jerusalem, Apoc. 21. 14.

V. 23. The sons of Leah ] The sons of the wives by themselves, and of the Concubines by themselves.

V. 26. In Padan Aram ] Except Benjamin, which is so plain in the former part of this chapter, as no Reader could mistake it. And so no need of an exception of him to be named.

V. 27. And Jacob came unto Isaac ] His sons, though borne out of the land of Canaan, come with him into the land, whereas Esau and his sons, though borne in the land, do go out and give place. Jacob and his wives, children and family came to him, and removed their habitations thither. Though in all likelihood, living divers years in Canaan before, and that not far from Isaac, he did before this time come to visit his blind and aged father.

unto Mamre ] See Annot. on ch. 13. 18. and on 23. 2.

V. 29. And died ] Long after Jacob's rerurn to him, for he lived till the year before Josephs advancement in Egypt, or till the time of his advancement. He being sixty when Jacob was borne, and Jacob being one hundred and twenty when Joseph was advanced in Egypt, and one hundred and thirty when he stood before Pharaoh, which sixty and one hundred and twenty make up the full life of Isaac.

Esau and Jacob buried him] So Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham, ch. 25. 9.

CHAP. XXXVI.

Verse 1. NOw these are the generations of Esau] 1. Chron. 1. 35. All this shows the accomplishment of that Oracle given to Rebekah, ch. 25. 23. As also of that temporal blessing wherewith his father blessed him, ch. 27. 39, 40. And likewise of the Promise to Abraham, ch. 22. 17.

V. 2. Esau took his wives] Ch. 26. 34. 28. 9. Many here have two names.

Adah] Called Bashemath, ch 26. 34.

Aholibamah] Called Judith, ch. 26. 34.

the daughter of Anah] Called Beeri, ch. 26. 34.

the daughter of Zibeon ] His Grand-child. And this doth distinguish this Anah from another of the name, v. 20. who was the brother of Zibeon, and so the Uncle of this Anah.

the Hivite ] A Hittite, ch. 26. 34. The Hivites comprehended the Hittites under them.

V. 3. And Bashemath ] Called Mahalath, ch. 28. 9.

V. 6. And Esau took ] Had taken before Jacob's coming, ch. 32. 3. 33. 14.

and went into the country ] Another country, Mount Seir, v. 8.

from the face ] Before Jacob's coming, ch. 32. 3.

V. 7. For their riches ] His and his fathers, or else all this removing, though begun as before, yet might receive a full and final accomplishment after Jacob's coming, and perhaps after Isaac's death. When the riches of the two brethren were more, then that they might dwell together in a land wherein they were but only sojourners; and haply too that Esau by this time had already hope to get the possession of the land of Seir.

V. 8. Seir ] So named from a man of that name, v. 20. God gave it to Esau, Deut. 2. 5, 12. Josh. 24. 4.

V. 11. Eliphaz were Teman] Eliphaz the Temanite, Job 2. 11.

V. 12. And Timna ] Sister to Lotan, the son of Seir, v. 20, 22. was married to Eliphaz Esau's son. Thus by marriages and the sword Esau got into the rule and possession of Mount Seir, ch. 27. 40. 1 Chron. 1. 36.

Amalek ] 1 Chron. 1. 36. A Duke, v. 10. Whence came the Amalekites, which were so great enemies to Israel, Exod. 17. 8, 14.

V. 13. Revel] 1 Chron. 1. 37.

V. 15. Dukes ] Leaders or chief Governors, fourteen in number. After they had Kings, v. 31. and after that Dukes again, v 40, 41, 42, 43.

V 16. Duke Korah ] Omitted among the sons of Eliphaz, v. 11. and 1 Chron. 1. 36. nor yet that Duke Korah, v. 18. he being of another mother.

V. 20. Seir the Horite] Ch. 14. 6. Horites seem to be of the Hivites. v. 2. for Zibeon the Hivite, v. 2. cometh of this race. Their race is mentioned because of the affinities the Edomites made with them, and the Edomites being their successors in the land and Government.

V. 24. This was that Anah] Mule. ] The vulgar Latin translates it Buhes. Mules ingender not, but are engendered by an He-Ass upon a mare; against the Law, Lev. 19. 19. This Anah was father-in law to Esau, v. 2. 25.

V. 26. Children of Dishon ] Many following are of two names, 1 Chron. 1. 41, &c.

Hemdam] Or Amram, 1 Chron. 1. 41.

V. 27. Akan] Or Jakan, 1 Chron. 1. 42.

V. 28. Dishan ] And Dishon, distinct persons, v. 21, 28. 1 Chron 1. 38, 42.

V. 30. Among their Dukes ] That is, Dukedoms. For these seven sons of Seir had their Dukedoms at one time in several places, being all brethren, the sons of Seir, ver. 20, 21.

V. 31. And these are the Kings ] The accomplishment of the Promise to Abraham, ch. 17. 16. For Kings to proceed from Sarah. Thus Esau after his Dukes, v. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. had of his posterity eight Kings, which b • re successively a golden scepter, whiles Jacob's posterity was in servitude, under a rod of iron in Egypt.

Before ] Before Moses time; for he was King in Jeshurun, Deut. 33.

V. 32.] These Kings being borne in several places, of several kindreds, and reigning most in several Cities, must therefore reign, not by succession, but by election or tyranny.

V. 37. Of Rehoboth ] A City built by Nimrod, Gen. 10. 11.

by the river] Euphrates.

V. 40. And these are the names of the Dukes ] From Kings they come down to Dukes again, eleven here named; which haply might be Dukes in several places, all at one time. The Dukes of Edom are mentioned, Exod. 15. 15. at the Israelites coming out of Egypt And the King of Edom, mentioned a little before the end of their forty years being in the wilderness. Numb. 20. 14. and that may be haply the last King Hadar, v. 39. of this chapter. If these eleven Dukes were to be counted in succession one after another, then must Moses here by the spirit of Prophecy foretell their names and dignities, which did succeed when he was dead.

V. 41. Aholibamah ] And Timnah likewise, v. 40. before the names of women, v. 12, 14. are here the names of men.

the father of the Edomites ] Of Edom, from the red pottage, and his red hair too, ch. 25, 25, 30.

CHAP. XXXVII.

Verse. 2. THe generations of Jacob ] The story of things that did befall him, chap. 6. 9. 25. 19.

Joseph being seventeen years old] And Jacob then one hundred and seven, Joseph uourished him seventeen years in Egypt before he died.

was feeding the flock ] Not idle, but a shepherd himself.

with the sons of Bilhab ] The sons of the Handmaids sorted together, and Joseph with them rather then with Leah 's sons, for safety against envy and emulation. And specially in safety with Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid.

their evil report ] Of their injurious usage of him, or of their evil conversation.

V. 3. More then all ] More then any of them all.

son of his old age ] He was upon ninety at the birth of Joseph, and now one hundred and seven; Bonjamin was now but about three or four years old, and not come yet to any proof to gain so much of his fathers affection.

of many colors ] So Tamar had, and Kings daughters used them that were Virgins, 2 Sam. 13. 18. A sign of Jacob's love, an object of his brethren's envy.

V. 4. More then all his brethren ] There appeared in him presages of virtuous acts and great employments.

V. 5. Dreamed ] See Annot. on ch. 20. 3.

told it ] God's special Providence was in it, causing him thus to reveal his dreams.

V. 7. And made obeisance to my sheaf ] For corn it was that they went down into Egypt, and there did obeisance to Joseph, ch. 42.

V. 8. Reign over us ] They apply it to themselves, as the Midianites did, Judge. 7. 13, 14.

made obeisance to me ] Twice, as Pharaohs dreams, chap. 41. 25, 32. see it accomplished, ch. 46.

V. 10. And his father rebuked him ] Partly through ignorance, and partly in policy to abate the hatred of his brethren, v. 11.

and thy mother ] Stepmother, Leah; Rachel being dead at this time undoubtedly.

V. 11. Observed the saying ] Seeing the dream was doubled, and that excellent gifts and graces of mind and body, appeared in Joseph, Luke 2. 19, 51.

V. 12. In Shechem ] Which was from Hebron, where his father and Grandfather were, v. 14. about sixty miles, ch. 35. 27. This the place, where not four years ago they committed that massacre. And ever since likely the less inhabited, and so more fit for pasturage, and freer from danger, the terrout of God being still upon the neighbouring places. Haply in that place bought, ch. 33. 19.

V. 14. Well with thy brethren ] Minding haply the massacre they had made there, and their possibility of danger by it.

V. 16. I seek my brethren ] His fathers care in sending, and his in seeking, do aggravate his brethren's sin and cruelty against him.

V. 17. And found them in Dothan] Josephs obedience stretched further then his fathers words, to his fathers mind. About eight miles distant from Shechem. Here afterwards was a City where Elizaus was, 2 Kings 6. 13.

V. 18. They conspired ] They quickly conclude out of their fore-conceived malices, so, Luke 20. 14.

V. 19 This dreamer ] A nick-name in scorn. And so best men are used.

V. 20. Slay him, and we will say ] One sin draweth on another.

some evil beast ] As, 1 Kings 13. 24. 2 Kings 2. 24. They will do a beastly act, but not own it.

V. 21. Reuben ] The eldest, ch. 42. 22. He the eldest might most hate Josephs Sovereignty; he did it with an intent to deliver him to his father again, v. 22. it may be to make some amends to him for his incest with Bilhah. Sinful all the sons of Jacob, sinful the Church.

V. 23. Stript Joseph ] He besought them in the anguish of his soul, ch. 42. 21. Mat. 27. 28.

V. 24. No water] Jer. 38. 6. Zech. 9. 11.

V. 25. To eat bread] Exod. 18. 12. without remorse for it, they make much of themselves, and little regard the afflictions of Joseph, Amos 6. 6. Their consciences were asleep.

Ishmaelites came from Gilead ] From Arabia; or East from Jordan, by Dothan towards Egypt.

Gilead ] A place of merchandise, Jer. 8. 22. 22. 6. 46. 11.

V. 26. What profit ] A good query to pose ourselves when we are about to sin. Profit would arise by selling him, Mat. 16. 26. Rom. 6. 21.

V. 27. Sell him ] Ancient and usual to sell men, Exod. 21. 21, 16.

Ishmaelites] Ch. 39. Called also Midianites, v. 28. and Medanites, v. 36. Medan and Midian brethren, 25. 1, 2. a mixed company of Merchants, both Ishmaelites by Hagar's son, and Midianites of Keturahs son, ch. 25. 2. both dwelling in Arabia; so, in Judge. 8. 22, 24, 26.

V. 28. Drew up ] in Reuben's absence.

for twenty pieces of silver ] Twenty shekels, i. e. shillings, and 3 d. a piece more, • 1 li. 5. sh See Annot. on ch. 23. 16.