Genesis
Verse 5. Ceremonies of religion, observed under the law of nature. Menochius.
EXPLANATIONS
Genesis 26
Historical chapter commentary
Genesis
Verse 7. Sister, or niece. Though lawful at that time, it was not very common for people to marry such near relations; and therefore Isaac, by saying Rebecca was his sister, wished the people of Gerara to be ignorant of her being his wife; being under the like apprehension as his father had been twice before. He imitates his example, trusting in the protection of God, which had rescued Abraham from danger. Calmet. 21. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 8. His wife; using greater familiarity that a grave and virtuous man, like Isaac, would offer to do with his sister, or with another person’s wife.—Sin, or punishment, ( Menochius.) such as Abimelech’s father had formerly experienced. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 11. Touch, or hurt, by offering to marry, and so forth Bible.—Adultery was punished with death among these nations. Calmet. 38:24, as it was by the law of Moses. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 12. And the Lord. This is not mentioned as a miracle; for Egypt and many other countries produced 100 fold. Pliny xviii. 10. says, some parts of Africa rendered 150 times as much as was sowed. The famine had now ceased. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 16. Depart. Instead of repressing the outrages of his subjects, the king enters into their jealousies, and banishes a wealthy person, ( Bible.) as the Athenians so frequently did afterwards with respect to their best citizens. Arist. Polit. iii. 9.—And Pharao used the same pretext, when he persecuted the Hebrews. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 18. Servants. So the Septuagint and Syr. versions, and the Sam. copy against the Hebrew in the days, which is incorrect. Ken.
Genesis
Verse 19. Torrent. That is, a channel where sometimes a torrent, or violent stream had run. Challoner.—In this vale of Gerara, a never-failing spring was found. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 22. Latitude. That is, wideness, or room. Challoner.—Hebrew Reheboth, widely extended streams, latitudines. See Calmet. 10:11.
Genesis
Verse 24. Of Abraham, who still lives before me, and for whom I always testified such affection, though I suffered him to be persecuted: hence, fear not. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 26. Ochozath. This name occurs in the Septuagint as well as the other two; (Calmet. 21:22) and means a company of friends. Phicol also signifies the mouth or face of all, being the general of the army, on whom the soldiers must be intent. These are, perhaps, therefore, the names of offices, not of persons; or if they be the same who lived with Abraham, they must have held their high command above 100 years. Menochius. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 35. Offended. They were the daughters of princes of the Heathens, (Josephus) and being brought up in idolatry and pride, refused to give ear to the advice of Isaac, who never approved of the marriage of his son with them. Esau would not leave the choice of a wife to his father, as Isaac had done at the same age. Bible.
Genesis
Or, living. Or, fresh.
Genesis
“Esek” means “contention”.
Genesis
“Sitnah” means “hostility”.
Genesis
“Rehoboth” means “broad places”.
Genesis
Shibah means “oath” or “seven”.
Genesis
Beersheba means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven”