1 And Abraham took a wife (= another, instead of "again"), and her name was Keturah (= increase, the second wife after Sarah's death).
1846 B.C.
2 And she bare him Zimram (=celebrated), and Joksan (= fowler), and Medan (= contention), and Midian (= strife. Medan and Median were half-brothers with Ismael, and they were mixed up together in their dealings. See note on 37:25,28 and cp. 16:12; 17:20), and Ishbak (= left behind), and Shuah (= wealth).
3 And Jokshan begat Sheba (= seven, or oath), and Dedan (= low country). And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim (= steps), and Letushim (= hammered), and Leummim (= peoples).
4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah (= gloomy), and Epher (= calf), and Hanoch (= dedicated), and Abidah (= father of knowledge), and Eldaah (= favored of God?). All these were the children of Keturah.
C A 12. Ishmael. Birth.
B 13-16. His sons. Names and dwelling.
A 17. Ishmael. Death.
B 18. His sons. Their dwelling.
12 Now these are THE GENERATIONS OF ISHMAEL, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian (i.e. from the land of Egypt, not of Egyptian blood), Sarah's handmaid, bare to Abraham.1773 B.C.
17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he gave up the spirit (i.e. spirit returned to God) and died; and he was gathered up to his people.
18 And they dwelt from Havilah (= circle) to Shur (= a wall), that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria: and he had inheritance in the presence of all his brethren. (died = had inheritance. Heb. naphal, to fall, esp. as a lot, giving inheritance. Hence, to dwell with, as in Prov.1:14. Cp. Judg. 7:12, to encamp, laying along the ground. Ishmael was to dwell in the presence [Heb."on the face"] of his brethren, i.e. mixed up with them [16:12]. See 37:25,28,36; 39:1, and cp. Judg. 8:24 [Midian, being his half-brother, 15:11,12]. Naphal never rendered "die" elsewhere.)
F A 25:19. The birth of Isaac.
B a 25:20-22. Marriage with Rebekah.
b 25:23-28. Isaac's two sons.
C 25:29-34. Esau and Jacob.
D E 26:1. Journey to Gerar.
F 26:2-5. Appearance of Yahaveh.
G c 26:6-11. Isaac's wife.
d 26:12-22. Separation from Abimelech.
D E 26:23. Journey to Beer-sheba.
F 26:24,25. Appearance of Yahaveh.
G d 26:26-33. Covenant with Abimelech.
c 26:34,35. Esau's wives.
C 27:1-35:15. Esau and Jacob.
B a 35:16-20. Death of Rachel.
b 35:21-26. Israel's 12 sons.
A 35:27-29. The death of Isaac.
19 And the are THE GENERATIONS OF ISAAC, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: (same form of verb as in Ch.5; used of the Godly seed)1856 B.C.
20 And Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah his wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian (not of that blood line, but in that geographical location) of Padam-aram (= the table land of height), the sister of Laban the Syrian (same as above).
21 And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it be so, why am I this way?" (i.e. why is this happening in my womb?) and she went to inquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." (Down through the many generations this has become the 2 Super-powers of today, U.S. & Russia. Even though Russia is week right now she will rise up in the end times. Don't fall asleep!)
24 And when the days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first one came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau (= red, ruddy, hairy).
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel (Heb. yakob, where the name Jacob, heel catcher: hence contender, in place of): and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was 60 years old when she bare them.
1836 B.C.
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was skilled in hunting, a man of the field ("The field is the world". He was a worldly man not a Godly man); and Jacob was an upright man (or pure in heart), dwelling in tents.
28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison (= Heb. hunting, hunting put for what was caught. Eating was strong in Esau too. It was "the will of the flesh" which Isaac's faith overcame in Ch.27, for he wished to bless Esau, and he loved his savory meat. See 27:3,4. Cp. Heb.11:20): but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob boiled food in a pot (Jacob planned well and stored food, where Esau hunted and found food by chance): and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: (he was starving to death)
30 And Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me, I pray you, with that same delicious red food (= lentils, see v.34); for I am faint:" therefore was his name called Edom. (= red, ruddy. Russia has been the "red nation" for many years since 1917 when Communism took over. We are talking about the system of government not the people necessarily. Communism does not work. It is ungodly, it does not provide for the people. That is why they [descendants of Esau] are always begging from the U.S. [descendants of Jacob/Israel]. See 27:28)
31 And Jacob said, "Sell me as on this day your birthright." (This included: 1. The Father's blessing and supremacy [which went to Jacob, Ch.27, and Judah, 49:8. 1 Chron. 5:1,2]; 2. A double portion [which went to Joseph Ch.48. 1 Chron.5:1,2]; and 3. The Domestic Priesthood [which after going to the firstborn of each family was vested in Levi for the whole nation, Num. 3:6,12. Cp. Num. 16:1-3].)
32 And Esau said, "Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? I will sell it."
33 And Jacob said, "Swear to me as on this very day:" and he swore to him: and he sold his ware to Jacob. (Esau treated his birthright as merchandise)
about 1812 B.C.
34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils: And (4 "and's" = the number of the earth, marking the deliberation of Esau's acts, and their solemn significance, he despised grace) he did eat an drink, and rose up, and went his way: Thus Esau despised his birthright. (He hated it. He did not care about his Father [in heaven], hence in Heb.12:16 he is called "a profane person".)