Genesis 25:1-23

I.                Abraham Remarries (Genesis 25:1-4)

A.     Genesis 25:1 – Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name [was] Keturah.

1.      Keturah - קטורה Qĕtuwrah, "incense"

2.      Keturah was likely a Canaanite servant from his own house.

·        Jasher 25:1 – And it was at that time that Abraham again took a wife in his old age, and her name was Keturah, from the land of Canaan.

3.      She must have been significantly younger than Abraham

4.      Abraham required Isaac to marry a wife from his own people, but he took a wife from among the Canaanites.  Likely a servant from among his household, we know from previous chapters that Abraham instructed his household in the ways of the Lord so its likely that Keturah was a believer in the Lord.

5.      Could this paint a picture that God after the marriage of His Son that He is unified to the nations not just one nation

B.     Genesis 25:2 – And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.

1.      Zimran – זמרן Zimran, "musician"

2.      Jokshan – יקשן Yoqshan, "snarer"

3.      Medan – מדן Mĕdan, "contention"

4.      Midian – מדין Midyan, "strife"

·        Both Medan and Midian are mixed up with Ishmeal their half-brother in several places in scripture lending the reader to believe that they integrated with each other.

5.      Ishbak – ישבק Yishbaq, "he releases"

6.      Shuah – שוח Shuwach, "wealth"

C.     Genesis 25:3 – And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

1.      Jokshan

·        Sheba – שבא Shĕba', "seven" or "an oath", progenitor of a nation of southern Arabia, we are familiar with the Queen of Sheba who had a relationship with Soloman. See 1 Kings Chapter 10 and 2 Chronicles Chapter 9

·        Dedan – דדן Dĕdan, "low country"

o       Asshurim – אשורי 'Ashuwriy, "guided: blessed" or “steps”

o       Letushim – לטושם Lĕtuwshim, "hammered"

o       Leummim – לאמים Lĕ'ummiym, "peoples"

D.    Genesis 25:4 – And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these [were] the children of Keturah.

1.      Midian

·        Ephah – עיפה `Eyphah, "gloomy"

·        Epher – עפר `Epher, "a calf"

·        Hanoch –  חנוך Chanowk,"dedicated" also translated Enoch

·        Abida – אבידע 'Abiyda`,"my father knows"

·        Eldaah – אלדעה 'Elda`ah, "God has known"

II.             Abraham Dies (Genesis 25:5-11)

A.     Genesis 25:5 – And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

1.      As expected from his servant

2.      Obligated to do this as that is what was spoken to Rebekah to gain her hand in marriage

3.      Just as God the Father placed all that He has under the subjection of His Son Jesus

B.     Genesis 25:6 – But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

1.      Concubines - פילגש piylegesh, concubine, paramour.  Interesting that Hagar and Keturah are referred to as concubines here, they are referred to as wives previously.

2.      Keturah was possibly Abraham’s concubine before he married her.

3.      Abraham blessed all of his sons with gifts, but clearly the majority of his wealth went to Isaac

C.     Genesis 25:7 – And these [are] the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

1.      175 years

2.      Isaac was 75 years old at Abraham’s death, he lives to be 180 or 105 more years

3.      Isaac was 60 years old when Esau and Jacob were born (Genesis 25:26) so they were 120 years old when he died

4.      Abraham was 160 years old when Jacob and Esau were born; they were 15 years old at Abraham’s death, Jacob/Israel lived to be 147 years old

5.      Shem is 565 years old, he lives to be 600 or 35 more years

6.      ~467 years after the flood

D.    Genesis 25:8 – Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full [of years]; and was gathered to his people.

1.      full - שבע sabea`, satisfied

2.      “gave up the ghost” - גוע gava`, to expire, die, perish, give up the ghost, yield up the ghost, be dead, be ready to die

3.      Note that the words “of years” were added by the translators, with this the meaning is somewhat lost in that even though 175 is full of years by today’s standards, it that day we are only a few generations of men living to 600 years old.  This word full is referring to the life that Abraham lived a satisfying life a “full” life.

4.      “gathered to his people” – Abraham, Ishmael – Genesis 25:17, Isaac -  35:29, Jacob 49:33, Aaron – Numbers 20:24, Moses - Deuteronomy 32:50

·        What does this phrase mean?

·        Does not mean buried with his people because only Sarah was buried at Machpelah. 

·        Hebrews 11:13-15 – These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.   But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

o       Abraham was gathered to his people in that BETTER country.

·        Matthew 22:32 - I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

o       If God is the God of the living and also the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that would be a good indication that Abraham is living and not dead.

·        Appears clear that there was a conceptual understanding of an afterlife and that the author communicates to us that there were communities gathering in some fashion after physical death.

E.     Genesis 25:9 – And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre;

1.      Last time we see Isaac and Ishmael come together

2.      Ishmael is ~90 years old, Isaac is 75

3.      This was a 1-2 day journey, about half way to Moriah (Jerusalem)

F.     Genesis 25:10 – The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

1.      The first of the 3 patriarchal couples buried at Machpelah

G.    Genesis 25:11 – And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

1.      Back to the same well where Isaac was waiting for Rebekah after his mother’s death

2.      Lahairoi - באר לחי ראי Bĕ'er la-Chay Ro'iy, "well of the Living One seeing me"

III.          The Generations of Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-18)

A.     Genesis 25:12– Now these [are] the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

B.     Genesis 25:13– And these [are] the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

1.      Nebajoth – נביות Nĕbayowth, "heights", people descended from 1 called the Nabateans with their capital at Petra

2.      Kedar – קדר Qedar, "dark" or “black skinned man”

3.      Adbeel – אדבאל 'Adbĕ'el,  "chastened of God"

4.      Mibsam – מבשם Mibsam, "sweet odour"

C.     Genesis 25:14– And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

1.      Mishma – משמע Mishma`, "a hearing"

2.      Dumah –דומה Duwmah,  "silence"

3.      Massa – משא Massa', "burden"

D.    Genesis 25:15– Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

1.      Hadar – חדר Chadar, "honour"

2.      Tema – תימא Teyma', "desert"

3.      Jetur – יטור Yĕtuwr, "enclosed"

4.      Naphish – נפיש Naphiysh, "refreshment"

5.      Kedemah – קדמה Qedĕmah, "original"

E.     Genesis 25:16– These [are] the sons of Ishmael, and these [are] their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

1.      Note that Ishmael had 12 sons, like both Nahor, and the future Jacob

2.      Castles - טירה tiyrah, encampment, battlement

3.      Twelve – Denotes Governmental Perfection, the number or factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by tribes, apostles, measurements of time or things that have to do with heaven in heaven and earth.

F.     Genesis 25:17– And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

1.      Isaac was about 122 years old when Ishmael died

2.      About 47 years after Abraham’s death

3.      Jacob and Esau would have been about 62 years old

4.      Note here that it does not say that Ishmael was “full” possibly indicating that though he seemed very old he did not go willingly or his life was lacking something

G.    Genesis 25:18– And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren.

1.      Havilah – חוילה Chaviylah, "circle", a district in Arabia of the Ishmaelites named from the 2nd son of Cush; probably the district of Kualan, in the northwestern part of Yemen

2.      Shur – שור Shuwr, "wall", a place southwest of Palestine on the eastern border or within the border of Egypt; the Israelites passed through the wilderness of Shur after crossing the Red Sea

3.      Brethren - אח 'ach, brother, half-brother, relative, kinship, same tribe

IV.          The Generations of Isaac (Genesis 25:19-27)

A.     Genesis 25:19– And these [are] the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:

B.     Genesis 25:20– And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

1.      Syrian, by geography, we know neither Bethuel nor Laban were Syrian by birth

2.      Padanaram - פדן Paddan, "field"

C.     Genesis 25:21– And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

1.      Verse 26 shows that Isaac was 60 years old at the twins birth, she was barren for 20 years.  Isaac intreated the Lord for 20 years!

2.      Unlike his father Abraham and his son Jacob, Isaac never had a relationship with a hand-maid or concubine.  Isaac demonstrates his love for his wife in this way.

3.      Notice a trend, Sarah was barren and gave birth late in life, Rebekah is barren and conceives with prayer, later we see that Rachel, Jacob’s wife also has difficulty with conception.

D.    Genesis 25:22– And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

1.      When something seems out of sorts what does Rebekah do? Takes it to the Lord

2.      Do we take our questions to the Lord expecting an answer?

E.     Genesis 25:23– And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

1.      Romans 9:10-13 - And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

·        Hated - μισέω miseō,

1) to hate, pursue with hatred, detest

2) to be hated, detested

2.      What nations did these two become?

·        Jacob à Israel

o       Is this the same Israel of today?

o       Partially, there is only two tribes represented today those being Judah and Benjamin, the other tribes were carried away by Assyria, never to return.

o       Judah/Benjamin were carried away by Babylon and returned to Judea under Cyrus of Persia in order to rebuild the temple.

·        Esau à Edom

·        What became of Edom?

·        Edom means red

3.      Did God really hate Esau before he was born?  Paul is referring to this passage here in Genesis for all but v. 13 in which he quotes the prophet Malachi:

·        Malachi 1:2-3 – I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

·        Hated - שנא sane', to hate, be hateful

·        In this passage it makes no reference to Esau’s birth, but God is speaking of the nations that sprung from Jacob and Esau.

·        When taken in the appropriate context of what Paul is quoting it does not appear that the hate that God had for Esau was prior to his birth as many scholars suggest. 
·        Does not say God hated Esau while he was still in the womb, this  inference has been made by men.

Genesis 21:1-21

I.                The Promise Delivered (Genesis 21:1-8)

a.      Genesis 21:1 – And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

1.      LORD – יהוה Yĕhovah

2.      visited - פקד paqad, to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for

b.      Genesis 21:2 – For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

1.      Confirmation that Isaac was in fact Abraham’s son (rather than conceived by the Holy Spirit as Christ)

2.      Confirmation that it was the Lord that caused this as it happened at the appointed time

3.      Set time – Exact time

4.      Ishmael 14 years old when Isaac born

5.      God - אלהים 'elohiym

c.      Genesis 21:3 – And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

1.      Isaac – יצחק Yitschaq, "he laughs"

2.      Three times for emphasis:

a.      His son

b.      Born unto him

c.      Sarah bare him

d.      Genesis 21:4 – And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

1.      Eight – It is 7 plus 1. Hence it is the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order. ~E.W. Bullinger, Numbers in Scripture

2.      As opposed to Ishmael at 13 years: Thirteen - every occurrence of the number thirteen, and likewise of every multiple of it, stamps that with which it stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea.  ~E.W. Bullinger, Numbers in Scripture

e.      Genesis 21:5 – And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

1.      25 years since the promise was given

a.      75 years old when he departed Haran (Genesis 12:4)

2.      Ishmael was 14 when Isaac was born

3.      392 years A.F. (After Flood)

§        Shem is 490/600

§        Arphaxad is 390/438

§        Salah is 355/433

§        Eber is 325/464

§        Peleg dead for 52 years

§        Reu dead for 22 years

§        Serug 229/230

§        Nahor dead for 51 years

§        Terah is 170/205

f.       Genesis 21:6 – And Sarah said, “God hath made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me.”

1.      Compare to Mary’s words in Luke:

a.      Luke 1:46-47 – And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

b.      Just as Sarah laughs with contagious joy, so too does Mary rejoice in her God and Savior.

g.      Genesis 21:7 – And she said, “Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born [him] a son in his old age.”

1.      If Sarah was giving suck at ninety years old the Lord would have had to restore her body to that of a younger woman in order to nurse the child.

a.      Provides more insight as to why Abimelech was stricken with her beauty at 90 years old

2.      Luke 1:54-55 – He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.”

a.      Holpen – ἀντιλαμβάνω antilambanō,  laid hold of for help, or taken by the hand

h.      Genesis 21:8 – And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the [same] day that Isaac was weaned.

1.      “And the child grew” - גדל gadal , to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things

a.      Exodus 2:10 - And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. (Moses)

b.      Judges 13:24 - And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. (Samson)

c.      I Samuel 2:26 - And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. (Samuel)

d.      Luke 2:40 - And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Jesus)

2.      Abraham is throwing a party when Isaac is weaned, why? Many things in the Old Testement are connected to the new covenant:

a.      Hebrews 5:13-14 - For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

b.      Just as Abraham celebrated the fact his son was moving from milk to meat, God is eager for us to spiritually come of age so that we can digest the meat of His Word.  

                                                                                                                i.     Doing so is reason to celebrate           

II.             Expulsion of Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-21)

a.      Genesis 21:9 – And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

1.      Mocking - צחק tsachaq, to laugh, mock, make sport, toy with, make a toy of

a.      Very similar to Isaac’s name

b.      Probably more than just laughing at

b.      Genesis 21:10 – Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [even] with Isaac.

1.      Was Sarah overreacting? Or did Ishmael do something a little more serious than make fun of Isaac?

2.      Jasher 21:13-15 – And when Isaac was five years old he was sitting with Ishmael at the door of the tent.  And Ishmael came to Isaac and seated opposite to him, and he took the bow and drew it and put the arrow in it, and intended to slay Isaac.  And Sarah saw the act which Ishmael desired to do to her son Isaac, and it grieved her exceedingly on account of her son, and she sent for Abraham, and said to him, Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be heir with my son, for thus did he seek to do unto him this day.

a.      According to Jasher, Ishmael would have been 19 years old

3.      Galatians 4:22-31 - For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.   For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now.  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

a.      Paul was writing to the Galatians, a majority of which were Gentile, therefore we see no difference between among the races, the only difference is those who accept Christ and those who do not.

b.      Discussed in Chapter 16

c.      Genesis 21:11– And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

1.      Abraham loved Ishmael

d.      Genesis 21:12 – And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

1.      Seed –  זרע zera`, this is a collective noun meaning that the context indicates if it is to be used in the plural or the singular sense.  Since Isaac is singular here we know that zer’a is meant to me used in the singular context.  Paul makes it clear in Galatians 3:16 that this is meant to be read as singular.  See also Romans 9:7-8 and Hebrews 11:18.  Genesis 17:9 is therefore plural for the context would indicate such, meaning Galatians was not pointing to Genesis 17:9 but rather it was pointing to this verse.

a.      Galatians 3:16 – Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, “And to seeds,” as of many; but as of one, “And to thy Seed,” Which is Christ.

b.      Romans 9:7-8 – Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

                                                                                                                i.     Here Paul is referencing the verse in which seed is used in the singular form, but uses it with regard to “children of the promise” which is plural. 

                                                                                                               ii.     Counted for the seed, as if the children referenced here are singular and represent a singular seed. 

                                                                                                              iii.     We know that Christ Himself was the object in which “thy seed” of Genesis 21:12 pointed

                                                                                                             iv.     How can the children of the promise also be this seed?

                                                                                                               v.     The children of the promise are the body of Christ…

§        Romans 12:5 - So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

§        I Corinthians 12:27 - Now ye are the body of Christ…

§        Ephesians 3:6 - That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

2.      “Thy Seed” is a direct reference to the birth of the Christ, being singular form

e.      Genesis 21:13 – And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he [is] thy seed.

1.      More evidence that verse 12 is referencing Christ because here we see that God is giving deference to Ishmael because he is thy (Abraham’s) seed.

2.      Ishmael cannot be of Isaac, yet Ishmael will be a nation.  One of the many nations that Abraham is the patriarch.  Abraham meaning father of many nations, all of those nations did not come through Isaac, but Christ did.

f.       Genesis 21:14 – And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

1.      Something seems out of line here as Abraham being a very wealthy man only gives Hagar and Ishmael a portion of bread and water

2.      Abraham gave his nephew Lot his choice of the land, but for his son nothing but bread and water.

3.      Is there more to the bread and water than meets the eye? Continue…

g.      Genesis 21:15 – And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

1.      John 4:13-14 - Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

2.      Two things Christ is referred to is the bread of life (John 6:35) and living water (John 7:38), just so happens these are the two items that Hagar and Ishmael are given before they leave. 

h.      Genesis 21:16 – And she went, and sat her down over against [him] a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against [him], and lift up her voice, and wept.

1.      Once again Hagar cries out in despair

i.       Genesis 21:17 – And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is].

j.       Genesis 21:18 – Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

k.      Genesis 21:19 – And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

1.      God opened her eyes – indicates that the well was there all along she was just not able to “see” it.

2.      Was this a supernatural well that was not visible without having one’s “eyes opened” by God?

l.       Genesis 21:20 – And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

1.      First reference was a bowshot in verse 16, here we see he became an archer

2.      Who else was a hunter? Nimrod and Isaac’s son Esau.  Is there any symbolism equating a bow with rebellion or weapons and rebellion?

m.    Genesis 21:21 – And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

1.      Paran - פארן Pa'ran, "place of caverns"

2.      Wilderness – מדבר midbar, uninhabited land, large tracts of wilderness.

a.      Genesis 16:12 - And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.