Genesis 22:20 - 23:20

II.                Nahor’s Posterity (Genesis 22:20-24)

A.    Genesis 22:20 - And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;

1.     Who told him?

B.     Genesis 22:21 - Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,

C.    Genesis 22:22 - And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

D.    Genesis 22:23 - And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

1.     Nahor – נחור Nachowr, "snorting"

2.     Milcah – מלכה Milkah, "queen" (interesting that Nahor’s wife’s name means queen and Abraham’s wife’s original name Sarai meant princess)

a.      Huz – עוץ `Uwts, "wooded"

b.      Buz – בוז Buwz, "contempt"

c.      Kemuel – קמואל Qĕmuw'el, "raised of God"

·        Aram - ארם 'Aram, "exalted"

d.      Chesed – כשד Kesed, "increase"

e.      Hazo – חזו Chazow, "vision"

f.       Pildash – פלדש Pildash, "flame of fire"

g.      Jidlaph – ידלף Yidlaph, "weeping"

h.      Bethuel – בתואל Bĕthuw'el, "God destroys" or "man of God" or "dweller in God"

·        Rebekah – רבקה Ribqah, "ensnarer", future wife of Isaac, is brought into the picture  for the first time.

E.     Genesis 22:24 - And his concubine, whose name [was] Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

1.     Reumah – ראומה Rĕ'uwmah, "elevated"

a.      Tebah – טבח Tebach, "a slaughter"

b.      Gaham – גחם Gacham, "burning"

c.      Thahash – תחש Tachash, "dugong"

d.      Maachah – מעכה Ma`akah, "oppression"

2.     So Nahor had 12 sons between his wife and concubine 

Genesis Chapter 23

I.                The Death of Sarah (Genesis 23:1-2)

A.    Genesis 23:1 – And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: [these were] the years of the life of Sarah.

1.      Only time in scripture that the age of a woman at death is mentioned

2.      Makes Isaac 37 and Abraham 137, they were married 62 years

3.      We are told to look to Sarah as an example in both Old and New Testaments

a)      Isaiah 51:2 - Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

b)     1 Peter 3:6 - Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

4.      Rebekah is mentioned in the preceding chapter 22 depicting the passing of the baton to the next generation

B.     Genesis 23:2 - And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

1.      Kirjatharba - קרית ארבע Qiryath `Arba`, "city of Arba"

a)      early name of the city which after the conquest was called 'Hebron'

2.      Shows the love Abraham had for his wife contrasts to the instances with Pharaoh and Abimelech

3.      Abraham grieved for Sarah, shows that grieving is natural process that we go through to mourn our dead.  Abraham is the example we are given to emulate his faith, therefore mourning is ok.  Some take the passage 1 Thessalonians that we are not to grieve for our dead.

a)      1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

b)     This verse explains that we should not be sorrowful for those who die in faith as we are for those who do not.  It doesn’t say we are not to be sorrowful, just not like we weep for those who die with no hope

c)      Weeping for a loved one articulates the sadness brought on by the curse of death and that it remains our enemy.

II.             Abraham Buries Sarah (Genesis 23:3-20)

A.    Genesis 23:3 - And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,

B.     Genesis 23:4 - I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

1.      1 Peter 2:11 – Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

a)      We are all strangers here for this is not our home

2.      Psalm 39:12 – Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].

3.      Abraham refers to himself as a stranger in the very land that the Lord has promised him.  He owns no property in this region at this time, yet he knows this is the land that the Lord has promised his descendants.  This is why he wants to bury her in this region.

4.      Abraham’s request is a typical opening negotiating strategy during this time period.

C.    Genesis 23:5 - And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,

D.    Genesis 23:6 - Hear us, my lord: thou [art] a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.

1.      As a gesture of good-will, the seller would offer the property as a gift to the buyer; normally the buyer would then insist that the seller name a fair price.

2.      The Hittites are offering to sell (not give) this plot to Abraham even though it appears they are giving it to him.

3.      It seems clear that Abraham has a very strong reputation with the inhabitants here, how is our reputation among those who do not believe in God.

E.     Genesis 23:7 - And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, [even] to the children of Heth.

1.      Heth - חת Cheth, "terror", son of Canaan and the progenitor of the Hittites

2.      Abraham knows and exercises proper etiquette for the culture

3.      Hittites were not followers of God

F.     Genesis 23:8 - And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

1.      Mind – נפש nephesh, soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

2.      Ephron – עפרון `Ephrown, "fawn-like"

3.      Zohar – צחר Tsochar, "tawny" (of a dark yellowish or dull yellowish-brown color)

G.    Genesis 23:9 - That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which [is] in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a burying place amongst you.

1.      Machpelah - מכפלה Makpelah, "double" or "portion"

2.      Likely a double cave or a very large cave

H.    Genesis 23:10 - And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, [even] of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,

I.      Genesis 23:11 - Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that [is] therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

1.      Abraham only wanted the cave, Ephron doesn’t want to sell the cave only but also the field

2.      Possibly this was a lot much like a lot today and for taxing purposes had to be sold together

J.      Genesis 23:12 - And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

1.      Abraham demonstrates humility and knowledge of the cultural normas.

2.      We can learn from Abraham in our dealings as professionals.

K.    Genesis 23:13 - And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.

1.      Abraham insists on purchasing this particular plot of land, why?

2.      This is part of the land God had promised to Abraham’s progeny

L.     Genesis 23:14 - And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

M.   Genesis 23:15 - My lord, hearken unto me: the land [is worth] four hundred shekels of silver; what [is] that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

1.      “Ephron, follows the cultural customs of bargaining. First, the seller offers to give the item. Then, when that is refused, the seller suggests a price, which he claims is modest but is really very high. This is understood to be the starting point, and from there the bargaining begins.” (David Guzik, Study Guide on Genesis 23)

N.    Genesis 23:16 - And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.

1.      Four hundred shekels – How many years were children of Israel captive in Egypt?

a)      Genesis 15:13 -  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

b)     Abraham may have recognized Ephron’s offer as being too high, but recalled this promise from God and therefore did not engage in any negotiations.

2.      Shekel - שקל sheqel, silver - 1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains

3.      Witnesses were present for the business transactions

O.    Genesis 23:17 - And the field of Ephron, which [was] in Machpelah, which [was] before Mamre, the field, and the cave which [was] therein, and all the trees that [were] in the field, that [were] in all the borders round about, were made sure.

1.      Mamre - ממרא Mamre', an Amorite who had previously allied himself with Abraham against the 5 kings of Babylon.  Likely the owner of property in the vicinity.

a)      Moffett translation – “…east of Mamre…”

2.      “were made sure” - קום quwm, verb, to confirm, ratify, establish, impose, Moffett translates this as “conveyed over to Abraham”

P.     Genesis 23:18 - Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

1.      Note that there is also a purchase agreement 80 years later mentioned in Chapter 33 v. 19 that Acts 7:16 appears to attribute to Abraham.

a)      Genesis 33:18-19 - And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.  And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.

b)     Acts 7:15-16 - So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

·        Here we have two discrepancies with this verse:

                                                                                                                i.     Abraham did not purchase a sepulcher in Shecham…Jacob did.

                                                                                                               ii.     Jacob was buried in the cave of Machpelah, that Abraham did purchase.  Joseph and most likely the other 11 patriarchs were buried in Shechem.

·        Either Abraham had two burial plots or there has been some copyist mistake in the manuscripts for there is no mention of Stephen being challenged on the accuracy of this testimony.

c)       Genesis 50:12-13 – And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them: For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

d)     Joshua 24:32 - And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

Q.    Genesis 23:19 - And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan.

1.      Sarah is the first to be buried here

2.      Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah are also buried here (exclusively)

3.      I –Isaac, S – Sarah, R – Rebekah, A – Abraham, L – Leah

4.      י –יצחק, ש-שרה, ר-רבקה, א-אברהם, ל-לאה

5.      ישראל – Israel, read right to left (who was the last to be buried there)

R.    Genesis 23:20 - And the field, and the cave that [is] therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth.

Property rights were conveyed to Abraham in accordance with the law.

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.