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25
(6) 1 Abraham [Father of a multitude] took another wife, and her name was Keturah [Incense]. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian [Strife], Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian [Strife] were: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah [Incense]. 5 Abraham [Father of a multitude] gave all that he had to Isaac [Laughter], 6 but to the sons of Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s concubines, Abraham [Father of a multitude] gave gifts. He sent them away from Isaac [Laughter] his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country. 7 These are the days of the years of Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. 8 Abraham [Father of a multitude] gave up his spirit, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac [Laughter] and Ishmael [Pays attention God], his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah [Double], in the field of Ephron [Fawn-like], the son of Zohar the Hittite [Descendant of Trembling fear], which is before Mamre [Bitter, Fatness], 10 the field which Abraham [Father of a multitude] purchased of the children of Heth [Trembling fear]. Abraham [Father of a multitude] was buried there with Sarah [Princess], his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham [Father of a multitude], God blessed Isaac [Laughter], his son. Isaac [Laughter] lived by Beer Lahai Roi [Well of the one who lives and sees].
(7) 12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael [Pays attention God], Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s son, whom Hagar [Flight] the Egyptian [person from Abode of slavery], Sarah [Princess]’s servant, bore to Abraham [Father of a multitude]. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael [Pays attention God], by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael [Pays attention God], Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. (Maftir ·Conclusion·) 16 These are the sons of Ishmael [Pays attention God], and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael [Pays attention God]: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt [Abode of slavery], as you go toward Assyria [Level plain]. He lived opposite all his relatives.
Haftarah Hayyei Sarah [Princess] · Taking leave · Life of Sarah [Princess]·:
M'lakhim Alef / 1 Kings 1:1-31
B'rit Hadashah ·New Covenant·: Matt 2:1-23
Parashah 6: Tol'dot ·Generations· 25:19-28:9
19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac [Laughter], Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s son. Abraham [Father of a multitude] became the father of Isaac [Laughter]. 20 Isaac [Laughter] was forty years old when he took Rebekah [Securely bound], the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram [Elevated], the sister of Laban [White] the Syrian, to be his wife. 21 Isaac [Laughter] entreated Adonai for his wife, because she was barren. Adonai was entreated by him, and Rebekah [Securely bound] his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is so, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Adonai . 23 Adonai said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb.
Two peoples will be separated from your body.
The one people will be stronger than the other people.
The elder will serve the younger.” * Quoted in Rom 9:12
24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau [Hairy]. 26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau [Hairy]’s heel. He was named Jacob [Supplanter]. † Note: The name Jacob [Supplanter] is commonly translated as [Surplanter]. It can also mean [To catch the heel], this is not so much as a power grab but a self protection (see Gen 25:22). Babies have a soft spot on their head, if damaged it can cause mental or physical harm or death. To grab the heel was an act of control and protection so Jacob would not be born already dead by a foot to the head. This struggle prefigures their future relations. Isaac [Laughter] was sixty years old when she bore them.
27 The boys grew. Esau [Hairy] was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob [Supplanter] was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac [Laughter] 'ahav ·affectionately loved· Esau [Hairy], because he ate Esau’s venison. Rebekah [Securely bound] 'ahav ·affectionately loved· Jacob [Supplanter]. 29 Jacob [Supplanter] boiled stew. Esau [Hairy] came in from the field, and he was famished. 30 Esau [Hairy] said to Jacob [Supplanter], “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom [Red].
31 Jacob [Supplanter] said, “First, sell me your birthright.”
32 Esau [Hairy] said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”
33 Jacob [Supplanter] said, “Swear to me first.”
He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob [Supplanter]. 34 Jacob [Supplanter] gave Esau [Hairy] bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau [Hairy] despised his birthright.

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*25:23 Quoted in Rom 9:12

†25:26 Note: The name Jacob [Supplanter] is commonly translated as [Surplanter]. It can also mean [To catch the heel], this is not so much as a power grab but a self protection (see Gen 25:22). Babies have a soft spot on their head, if damaged it can cause mental or physical harm or death. To grab the heel was an act of control and protection so Jacob would not be born already dead by a foot to the head. This struggle prefigures their future relations.

© 2016 Thomas Robinson