Gen 39:1

Gen 39: Joseph’s elevation in Egypt. Joseph as a type of Christ, going to the Gentiles. Christ in “Egypt”, a “slave” to mortality. But a faithful slave.

Why Joseph had to suffer: See Lesson, Joseph, suffering?

POTIPHAR, AN EGYPTIAN: He is consistently called an Egyptian, because at this time the Pharaohs, etc of Egypt were Hyksos, a Semitic people (cp vv 2,5).

Gen 39:5

One person being blessed because of the righteousness of another: In Gen 30:27 Laban says that he was blessed by the Lord for Jacob’s sake. In Gen 26:24 Isaac was blessed for his father Abraham’s sake. And of course those in Christ being blessed with forgiveness of sins and eternal life due to the righteousness of one — Jesus Christ (Eph 4:32; 1Jo 2:12; etc.)

Gen 39:6

Joseph was a “goodly person” (AV), given “goodly garment” (Gen 37:3).

HANDSOME: Cp the beauty of his mother Rachel: Gen 29:17.

Gen 39:7

COME TO BED WITH ME: Impl great power to be had (“All kingdoms of the world”: Mat 4).

Gen 39:8

BUT HE REFUSED: Joseph remained sinless where the elder bro, Judah (Gen 38), had sinned. In this he typifies Jesus, tempted in all points like his brethren, yet without sin (Heb 4:15).

“Joseph’s chastity was an expression of [his character and faith, in several ways]:

(a) His compliant spirit for righteousness — he knew about suffering and death and forbidden sexual activity; the punishment for pride, jealousy, and deceit. He knew how not to imitate those that had caused family dysfunction and pain amongst his own kith and kin. He was sensitive to the dignity of others in such matters.

(b) His overcoming of the overpowering temptation, like that of Adam and Eve over the fruit of the tree, to know good and evil.

(c) Potiphar’s wife may have seen the seduction of Joseph as an accustomed thing but Joseph did not see it as a usual practice.

(d) His knowledge of his inferior slave status to Potiphar’s wife, his superior in every way (except in his love for God). He could not have a relationship with a superior, where he would have to be passive, and do her bidding, in a master/slave, power situation, not a loving one.

(e) His recognition of his own family’s need to keep racially pure, for he would know of other occasions when the seed line was threatened, and he would not wish to be party to that.

(f) His knowledge of his father’s hatred for the land of Egypt, in which he found himself — his father loathed Hagar’s land, where they worshipped the dead, and animals. He knew his father loathed, also, the notion of market sex, where both boy and girl prostitutes practised freely, and daily, and where the gods blessed it all. ‘He would not go awhoring after the gods of Baal.’ He had seen enough of that in Canaan.

(g) His wish not to shame the father. Even though Joseph had not contacted his father for so long, his need not to shame him would be a paramount consideration. Noah’s shame by his son, the shame of Lot by his daughters (to raise up seed), the shaming of Jacob by Reuben, with Jacob’s concubine (Bilhah) were known to him. Nakedness and sex, in their right place, are innocent and unsuspect, but when they acquire a transferred significance, as Baal folly, it is sin. So Joseph, knowing that sex has a price tag for the unmarried, is influenced by what shame he might cause his father, or his God.

(h) His understanding of sin, ‘against thee only would I sin.’ Joseph, like David, knew that sin, ultimately, is sin against God, and Joseph’s sense of rightness kept him from sin.

(i) Joseph saw it as a denial of the promises to Abraham.

(j) His knowledge and understanding of the blessings given by God to the fathers. He knew that with the covenant blessings came responsibilities as well, that is, to witness about Yahweh to those about him” (BRus).

Warnings against prostitutes, and immorality: Pro 1:10, 2:10-19; 5:3-8; 6:20-25,29-33; 7:5,25-27; 9:13-18; 22:14; 23:26-28.

Gen 39:9

There is none greater in his Father’s house than Jesus!

AND SIN AGAINST GOD: This is the proper attitude: Every sin against any other man is also a sin against God. Paul in 1Co 6:15-20 tells us that our bodies are not our own, that they are members of Christ and therefore should not be made the members of a harlot. So even though it is true that the sin of adultery (or fornication) can affect others as well and one’s self (1Co 6:18), the primary sin is against God Himself, whose we are and to whom all our honor and allegiance is owed.

“Noble words from a noble son, and noble slave. Words for all of us in our desires, for none of us is alone, nor different in our desires. Loyal service to each other is required in all of us, that we may not affront, and shame the dignity and sensitivity of another with disloyalty, for, in the end, it is always God that we offend. They were alone in the palace, there would have been no witness, but Joseph knew he could not hide the deed from God, nor could he live with it himself… The greatest gift that we can bring to our life partner, is purity and fidelity, moral and ethical self control. We need to remember that the persuasion of Mrs Potiphar was all a lie. Yield, or resist, is the only choice, and to resist, you must flee… You must not be weakened by your situation. You must not be deceived by persuasion. You must not be gentle with your emotions. You must not be confused with the immediate results… The great speech of Joseph should be engraved on our hearts to stiffen our resolve when temptation calls. Deceptive baits are all around us, and especially for the favoured young. It was the greatest moment in the life of Joseph, for he turned all the family dysfunction that had gone before into a muddy backwater. The stream ahead flowed crystal clear, free and pure, though the way was rough. When he was stripped of his coat once more, he found again, that he was clothed with ‘the heavens’ embroidered cloths’ (Yeats)… Joseph practised ‘safe sex’. The best safe sex there is. Would that the world would see it that way. We can’t tell our children often enough” (BRus).

Gen 39:10

DAY AFTER DAY: An ongoing temptation.

Gen 39:11

Vv 11,12: “Even when ‘Mrs Potiphar’s’ scheming mind organised well arranged circumstances to fulfil her lusts, Joseph still maintained his faithfulness. As he put it so well in v 9, ‘How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ Whilst the committing of this sin would have been a sin against his own body (1Co 6:18), and a trespass against Potiphar himself, Joseph rightly estimates that ultimately such action is a ‘sin against God’, as indeed, all transgression is (Num 32:23). Because of his faithfulness, and trust in the Almighty, Joseph remained a ‘eunuch for the kingdom of heaven’s sake’ (Mat 19:12) — and was ultimately elevated to being co-ruler of the then known world (Gen 41:39-45). God will reward the faithfulness of all HIS servants with elevated positions in the coming Kingdom of Glory (Mat 25:34)” (CY).

Gen 39:12

BUT HE LEFT HIS CLOAK IN HER HAND AND RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE: “In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight… He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant. Who would wantonly enter the leper’s prison and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He only who desires to be leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel. This day I may be exposed to great peril; let me have the serpent’s wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me today than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin” (CHS).

“Perhaps she thought his reluctance was caused by his slave position, and that she must make the first move, and the second, and so keep up the intensity. (Her sin was the bait, and his would have been the bite, but she baited and baited and baited, and he did not bite). He fled, fled the bait. ‘Run, is the message of the Bible’… The Spirit of God forcefully commands ‘Flee’. In circumstances like this, there is nothing else to do; ‘you cannot yield to sensuality if you flee from it’ ” (BRus).

Gen 39:13

“Flee fornication”: 1Co 6:18.

Gen 39:14

Potiphar’s wife, an Egyptian, was naturally resentful of any Semite — esp during this time of Hyksos rule. Passion (esp illicit passion) so quickly turns to hatred, as in Amnon with Tamar (2Sa 13:15).

“Potiphar’s wife was a woman scorned. She tempted, he resisted. Now a fury worse than hell overtook her. She caught his cloak. She used the cloak to accuse him. She waited for Potiphar, and with the cloak as evidence. She told him of the wicked slave who had betrayed his trust. She told him of her strength in resisting him. She painted the picture black. She blamed Potiphar for buying a foreign slave and putting all the women at risk” (BRus).

Gen 39:19

Like a sheep before her shearers, Joseph does not open his mouth in his own defense.

Gen 39:20

JOSEPH’S MASTER TOOK HIM AND PUT HIM IN PRISON: But he did not order his execution, as might have been expected, showing he did not fully believe his wife’s allegations. (Notice her attitude toward her husband: one of bitterness, hatred, resentment: v 14.) Typ Jesus at his trial — believed to be innocent by Pilate: “What evil has this just person done?”: Mat 27:23,24.

“Potiphar did what he had to do, but not one whit more. Women were so powerful in Egypt… so much so, that Potiphar had to accept her story, for he may not have wished to offend her. The punishment could, and should have been much worse, but Potiphar’s love for his hard working slave, together with a tiny doubt led him to send Joseph to his prison. We can imagine what that tiny doubt might be. But matrimonial peace was high on Potiphar’s agenda” (BRus).

JOSEPH WAS THERE IN PRISON: “Dylan Thomas mourns that ‘Tomorrow weeps in a blind cage’, for ‘dark is a long way.’ So it seemed to Joseph, as he went down the second time to the prison and the pit. As well, we might feel in the darkness, that so much more is required of us, than we are prepared to give, but for Joseph, that thought probably never entered his head… At the foot of Joseph’s height he dwelt once more, he was down, down again’ he knows his valleys, and his depths; but he does not know how high the mountain peak will be, when at last he approaches it. We do know. ‘Soon, Joseph, soon’, is the voice in the wind, the message from God, as He whispers in Joseph’s ear. ‘Be patient; I am ever near.’ It is the still small voice of God. Soon it will be like a thunder clap, and the lightning of His voice shall light his way around Egypt – but not yet, not yet, and Joseph doesn’t know when, or what, that ‘yet’ will be” (BRus).

Gen 39:21

God was the true “prison warden”! Often the godliness of one man has a profound impact on nonbelievers: Mat 5:14-16; 1Pe 2:11,12; 3:1,2. Consider Daniel and his 3 companions with their Babylonian captors.

Gen 39:22

Typ: Into the hands of Christ are committed all prisoners!

Gen 40:1

Gen 40: As Christ, in “prison” with others, whose fates are predicted by him. Note the very much Egyptian character of the narrative, even in small details. It must have been written by a man (like Moses) acquainted with such things.

Gen 40:3

In his suffering, “Joseph” was associated with two “criminals”… two who had charge of the “bread” and the “wine”! Two “criminals”, of which one will die and the other will live on in “Joseph’s” kingdom! (see Luk 23:32,39-43).

Gen 40:8

Why did the butler and baker feel that their dreams, unlike other dreams, were so relevant as to need interpretation? These dreams had the coincidence of being dreamt on the same night. Some of the details of the dreams were also very similar (the three branches and the three white baskets, Pharaoh being in both, and the fact that each dream was appropriate to the office formerly held by the dreamer.) The combination of these factors undoubtedly made each one think there was special relevance to these dreams.

Whatever method He chooses to use, God in heaven reveals His secrets to men, and if we continue to search His revealed word, we will find them, not by our own efforts, as such, but by His unmerited permission: Gen 41:16; Psa 25:14; Dan 2:28.

Gen 40:13

WITHIN 3 DAYS: Within 3 days, Christ was raised, thereby sealing fate of 2 men (those on crosses with him), as well as all others.

LIFT UP YOUR HEAD: Cp v 19: the same phrase is given 2 opposite meanings: cp Jesus, “lifted up” in death (Joh 8:28; 3:14; 12:34), but also “lifted up” in exaltation in heaven (Joh 12:32).

Gen 40:14

REMEMBER ME: In ct with Jesus, Joseph asks to be remembered, but is forgotten (v 23). There, Christ is asked to remember another much less deserving than Joseph, and he remembers!

Gen 40:15

FROM THE LAND OF THE HEBREWS: Joseph puts no blame on his brothers!

Gen 40:19

LIFT UP YOUR HEAD: Cp v 13: the same phrase is given 2 opposite meanings: cp Jesus, “lifted up” in death (Joh 8:28; 3:14; 12:34), but also “lifted up” in exaltation in heaven (Joh 12:32).

AND THE BIRDS WILL EAT YOUR FLESH: The fowls of heaven, called to a great sacrifice.

Gen 40:20

In the only places in Scripture where a birthday is recorded (here and Herod’s: Mat 14:6; Mar 6:21), an execution also occurs.

Gen 40:23

In ct Christ, who remembers our sufferings.

Gen 41:1

Vv 1-4: Judgments upon gods. Vv 5-7: Judgments upon the fruits of the gods.

PHARAOH: Apparently a new Pharaoh: cp implications of vv 9,10,13. The 2-year delay had served to bring a more favorable king to throne.

Gen 41:2

2 kinds of cattle indigenous to Egypt — answering to 2 sorts here described. The fat cattle were sacrificial stock, dedicated to Hathor, the cow-headed goddess. Here, in dream, she is unable to protect her own charges (Tes 52:309).

RIVER: The Heb word always refers to the Nile (cp v 1).

Gen 41:7

Perh these dreams were so esp emphatic, or different from the ordinary night musings.

Gen 41:8

NO ONE COULD INTERPRET THEM FOR HIM: “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1Co 1:20).

Gen 41:12

YOUNG: About 30 years old: v 46.

Gen 41:14

DUNGEON: Heb “bowr” = “pit”. It was different from ordinary prison in being more severe as a place of punishment. It consisted of a deep well or cistern (Jer 38:6) and it was a punishment common in Egypt (Gen 39:20; 40:3; here; 42:19).

SHAVED: Peculiar to Egypt. A disgrace in Israel. Long hair = mourning, in Egypt. No mourner could enter presence of Pharaoh (Gen 50:4).

CHANGED HIS CLOTHES: Coming out of the “prison”, he then changed his “clothes”, before going to stand before the great “King”!

Gen 41:16

Joseph is ready to give the credit and honor to God, as being interpreter of dreams (cp Dan 2:28,47).

Gen 41:25

Here the lines are drawn: the One God of Israel versus the many gods of Egypt.

Gen 41:32

Joseph now expands upon his mandate: not just to interpret but to advise! “Now is my time, finally, to speak; this is from God!” The rationale for doubling the dream is given in Gen 41:32: God would definitely bring the events to pass in a short time. Cp Heb 6:17,18 and Mat 5:37.

Gen 41:33

Joseph writes his own “job description”: a further inspired revelation.

Gen 41:34

A FIFTH OF THE HARVEST OF EGYPT: If x = a good year, and y = a bad year, then: 4/5 x = y + 1/5 x, or y = 3/5 x. So, the harvest of a poor year = 60% of the harvest of a good year.

It has been asked, why a half part was not ordered to be bought up by Pharaoh, since there were to be as many years of famine as of plenty? To this it is could be replied, that besides this fifth part taken up, as there might be an old stock of former years, so there would be something considerable remain of these seven years of plenty, which men of substance would lay up, as Pharaoh did. Besides, a fifth part might be equal to the crop of an ordinary year, or near it: to which may be added, that in times of famine men live more sparingly, as they are obliged, and therefore such a quantity would go the further; as well as it may be considered, that notwithstanding the barrenness of the land in general, yet in some places, especially on the banks of the Nile, some corn might be produced during the general famine; so that upon the whole a fifth part might be judged sufficient to answer the extremity of the seven years of famine, and even to allow a distribution to other countries, which it obviously did.

Gen 41:38

The Spirit of God: in Daniel (Dan 5:11); in Joseph (Gen 41:38); clothed Gideon (Jdg 6:34); clothed Amasai (1Ch 12:18); clothed Zechariah (2Ch 24:20); came upon Balaam (Num 24:2); came upon Saul (1Sa 10:10).

Gen 41:39

The “Gentile” is the first to acknowledge that the one true God is with “Joseph”!

Gen 41:40

Two stages: First “Joseph” rules over the “King’s” “household”… then later (v 41) over all the King’s whole dominion!

TO SUBMIT TO YOUR ORDERS: Lit, “will kiss you” — ie render homage and obedience to your words (cp Psa 2:12).

Gen 41:42

Once again, Joseph appears as the “high priest” which his brothers envied. (High Priest — robes — as well as King — signet ring!)

Gen 41:43

Typ Christ — taken from “prison”, and promoted by God to be ruler over all Israel: Mic 5:2; Mat 2:6; Phi 2:9,10.

Gen 41:45

Joseph marries a Gentile bride (typ Christ and a Gentile church)… who seems to convert to worship the God of Israel (v 51n).

ZAPHENATH-PANEAH: Egyptian for “supporter of life”, or “savior of the world”. “The meaning of this Egyptian name has been given as ‘Saviour of the World.’ Joseph, ‘the Increaser’, has been true to his Jewish name also. He has increased in favour with God and with man, his work is about to increase the exposure of the Gospel that was preached to Abraham his great grandfather. His policies will increase the provision necessary to feed and sustain the ‘world’ through a long cycle of drought. Next to Pharaoh, he is king and he is also a priest — a king-priest with policies uncommon to man, able to ‘heal’ the sickness of Egypt’s malady, when the drought became fully manifest. In so many ways, this young man is a thought-provoking type of our Lord Jesus Christ” (CY).

ASENATH: “Pertaining to Neith”, goddess of wisdom, queen of heaven.

Gen 41:46

Was it perh court procedure for a man to give his age when brought into the presence of Pharaoh? (cp Gen 47:8,9; Exo 7:7).

30 YEARS: Luk 3:23.

Joseph is now in his thirtieth year. He has been in prison a long time, serving time for a crime that he never committed. At least two years have passed since he told the meaning of dreams to the butler and the baker. We know not how long before that incident he had been incarcerated. What a long time for Joseph to experience the sickness of hope deferred! But the time of his enlargement came when he had sufficiently learned the lessons of God designed for him; and the plans of Providence were matured. Thirteen years have passed since he was forcibly removed from his family dwelling in Canaan. Where were you 13 years ago? Could you imagine being so long separated from those you love? How would you or I have handled the incredible loneliness, the isolation, and the absence of familiar sights, sounds, smells and mode of worship?

Gen 41:51

(1) Asenath, mother of Manasseh, was made to forget her father’s (idolatrous) house: Psa 45:10, Deu 21:13 (re Hezekiah and his Gentile bride). Manasseh, the firstborn, sym the Jews, “my (new) father’s house”. (2) Or, poss, God had at last brought Joseph blessings so that his years of slavery and loneliness were forgotten.

Some things should be forgotten. Joseph could have wasted his life dwelling on the injustices he suffered. As a youth, his brothers sold him into slavery, and he was forced to live in a hostile land. He had to spend his teenage and adult years away from his beloved father. Joseph even spent time in prison. In spite of all he endured, he harbored no resentment. In fact, he named his son Manasseh, which means “forgetting.” He explained, “For God… hath made me forget.” Some things need to be dropped from the believer’s memory. He shouldn’t harbor wrongs done to him. He mustn’t let some unkind word keep him from maturing in Christ as he should. And he should never use another’s insensitivity as his excuse for not serving the Lord. Are there things in our past that we need to forgive and forget?

Gen 41:52

Ephraim, the younger, symbolizes Gentiles. “Fruitful in land of affliction”: Gen 48:12-20.

Gen 41:55

The “king of this world” (Pharaoh) is approached by the poor and needy and hungry of this world, but he can do nothing. So he sends them with a beseeching message to the “savior of the world” (Joseph: v 45). Only in him could man find deliverance.

Gen 41:57

Typ all nations, which come to Christ for the true “bread of life”.

THE FAMINE WAS SEVERE IN ALL THE WORLD: This worldwide famine was all for the point of bringing the trial of famine upon Jacob’s family in Canaan (Gen 42:5).

Gen 42:1

“People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell” (Pro 11:26).

LOOKING AT EACH OTHER: That is, in pity. Or in bewilderment — about what course of action to take.

Gen 42:4

BUT JACOB DID NOT SEND BENJAMIN, JOSEPH’S BROTHER, WITH THE OTHERS, BECAUSE HE WA AFRAID THAT HARM MIGHT COME TO HIM: Perh Jacob had some lingering doubt about the fate of Joseph. (Benjamin was now his favorite in place of Joseph.)

Gen 42:6

See Jer 30:21.

Gen 42:8

ALTHOUGH JOSEPH RECOGNIZED HIS BROTHERS, THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM: “Who is this?” (Psa 24; Isa 63:1). Mourning for only son: Zec 12:10. When last they had seen him, he had been a boy of 17; this is almost 20 years later. But they had been mature men before, and would not have changed considerably in 20 years (WP 97). Also, note Joseph’s different style of dress.

Gen 42:9

Joseph’s actions here seem to have been inspired — as a way of fulfilling the promise of Gen 15:13,14: “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.” Cp Gen 46:2-4; 50:20,24.

Gen 42:13

YOUR SERVANTS WERE TWELVE BROTHERS: A change in accepting Joseph as true brother (WHGT 44).

Gen 42:15

AND THIS IS HOW YOU WILL BE TESTED: “The last thing Joseph had seen of his brothers was when they ripped his coat off him, threw him into a pit ready to kill him and then sold him as a slave. Even as brothers who were united in their hatred of Joseph, they still could not get on with each other when it came to getting rid of Joseph. One wanted to rescue him, others wanted to kill him and others wanted to sell him. Joseph’s ten brothers were far from honest men — they were liars, cheats and almost murderers.

“There was a big change in their maturity when Joseph next saw them. When Joseph suggested that they might be spies, his brothers replied, ‘Your servants are honest men, not spies.’

“So tests were set to find out if what Joseph’s brothers had said was true. Would they measure up to the standard of honest men? This time they showed unity, self-sacrifice, repentance, honesty, generosity and humility — qualities that showed that they had changed and had become honest men.

“The test is on for us too. We claim to be honest men, servants of Christ — how do we measure up? Has our life changed since before we became a Christian? Have we matured? Have we developed the Christ-like character he expects from us? One day the judgement will come and may we, like Joseph’s brothers, be accepted” (RP).

Gen 42:16

SO THAT YOUR WORDS MAY BE TESTED: Tested by “fire” (1Co 3:13) — ie the fire of trial.

Gen 42:17

CUSTODY: Not a true prison, as Joseph had spent time in.

Gen 42:21

The definition of repentance: conscience, memory, and change. Their own consciences accuse themselves.

Gen 42:22

“The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer 30:7). When this last trouble comes on Jacob’s children, a greater-than-Joseph will arise to save them, but only after they acknowledge the wrong they have done to him.

DIDN’T I TELL YOU?… BUT YOU WOULDN’T LISTEN: Only now does Joseph learn of Reuben’s innocence. // Mat 27:24: “I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

Gen 42:24

Seven meetings: here; Gen 42:30; 45:2,14; 46:29; 50:1,17.

Gen 42:25

The “Savior” provides for them on their journey, at no cost to themselves!

Gen 42:28

“It is the price of blood!”

Gen 42:36

YOU HAVE DEPRIVED ME OF MY CHILDREN: By now, Jacob had realized that his sons were responsible for Joseph’s fate!

Gen 42:37

Note Reuben’s concern for Benjamin (who would be Jacob’s new favorite in Joseph’s absence). Reuben has changed considerably since he tried to assert his own “rights” by taking Bilhah.

Gen 42:38

It is plain that Jacob did not trust them with Benjamin!

Gen 43:2

GO BACK AND BUY US A LITTLE MORE FOOD: Only after long urging (v 10)…

Gen 43:9

I WILL BEAR THE BLAME: Ct Gen 42:37,38. Reuben offers his sons, but Judah offers his own life — the principle of a true priest.

Gen 43:11

Balm, honey, spices, and nuts were all products of trees, which could live through a famine.

TAKE… A LITTLE HONEY: “That was the advice Jacob gave to his sons when they were going down into Egypt to buy food. They took many gifts: balm, spices, myrrh, nuts and money. But wise old Jacob added, ‘Take a little honey.’ People may take with them on the journey of their lives ability, training, initiative, ambition and so many good things. Yet they fail because they forget kindness. If they had been just a little sweeter in spirit what a difference it would have made. We can learn how to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. Simple, warm kindness will work wonders. Some say this is a hard, tough world and if we ever expect to get anywhere, we have to be hard-boiled. That kindness stuff, they say, might work at a Sunday School outing, but it has no place in business. But kindness works everywhere. On the journey of life don’t forget to ‘take a little honey’ ” (C Lamb, Xd 112:157).

Gen 43:12

The double principle of Exo 22:4,7,9.

Gen 43:14

Jacob is realizing now that he really has no options other than trust in God.

Gen 43:21

The Jews have “treasures” in their sacks, but they do not know where it came from!

Gen 43:23

YOUR GOD, THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER: How would the steward know such a thing? Joseph had been teaching him. While the Jews were estranged from their God and their firstborn brother, Joseph was teaching a Gentile about the God of Israel.

I RECEIVED YOUR SILVER: Joseph had been paying the redemption price for his brothers.

Gen 43:26

Jews make ready for the coming of the Messiah, but are surprised when at last they discover their expected Messiah is their brother whom they rejected previously.

THEY BOWED DOWN BEFORE HIM: The sun, moon, and 11 stars (Gen 37:7,9). Joseph sees his father in all 11, and his mother (moon) in his full brother Benjamin.

Gen 43:33

IN THE ORDER OF THEIR AGES: How could an Egyptian have known such a thing? Also… Joseph had neither need nor desire to appropriate Reuben’s birthright.

There could have been over 479 million different ways (calculated by multiplying all the numbers, one through twelve, together) in which the twelve brothers could have been seated!

Gen 43:34

Similar privilege in 1Sa 9:24 (Saul) and Joh 13:26,27 (Judas). Notice that the other brothers seem not to be resentful of a younger brother (Benjamin) being favored.

Gen 32:1

Gen 32: See Article, Jacob the wrestler.

AND THE ANGELS OF GOD MET HIM: That is, Jacob continued his journey back to the land of promise, having spent 20 years in Syria whilst God purged the “deceitful Syrian” out of his character. Though Jacob had long been in the “Truth” [he is here at least 77 years old] only now is he in the process of being “converted.” “His way” is now becoming the way of God, and so it is no wonder that the angels of God now meet him — whether in person or in vision, we do not know (Psa 34:7). The angels met him to welcome him to Canaan again, having attended to him 20 years previous on the way to Syria (Gen 28:13). Jacob receives now a more honorable reception than ever any prince had who was met by the magistrates of a city. They met him to congratulate his arrival, and his escape from Laban. They had invisibly attended him all along, but now they appeared, because he had greater dangers before him. When God designs his people for extraordinary trials, He prepares them by extraordinary comforts.

Gen 32:2

Jacob’s 3 memorials: (1) “House of God” / God’s presence / Gen 28:17-19; (2) “Host of God” / God’s power / Gen 32:2; (3) “Face of God” / God’s favor / Gen 32:30.

See Lesson, Jacob’s life, a type of Israel.

MAHANAIM: “2 hosts”: God’s host and Jacob’s host. God’s “12 legions” (Mat 26:53) and the little band of the faithful. Cp Elisha in 2Ki 6:16,17.

Gen 32:7

DISTRESS: Sw “trouble” in Jer 30:7.

Gen 32:9

Jacob’s prayer: covenant (v 9), confession (v 10), confidence in God (v 11), and confidence in God’s word (v 12).

Gen 32:10

KINDNESS AND FAITHFULNESS: “Mercies” and “truth”, related to God’s covenants of promise: Mic 7:20; Psa 89:28,29; Isa 55:3; etc.

I HAD ONLY MY STAFF WHEN I CROSSED THIS JORDAN: That is, Jacob was poor and alone when he first left Canaan.

BUT NOW I HAVE BECOME TWO GROUPS: That is, now God has caused Jacob to prosper greatly.

Gen 32:13

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great” (Pro 18:16).

Gen 32:22

Vv 22,23: Jacob was fearful for the safety of his family: v 11. His family and he passed over Jabbok (v 22). Then he changed his mind and sent them back to north side (v 23), to remain there in comparative safety. Jacob remained alone (v 24) on south side, to face Esau’s band (WJ 69).

JABBOK: Sig “Yahweh wrestles”.

Gen 32:24

Vv 24-32: A parable of moral change: As the nation of Israel wrestled with God (in the person of Christ), and was humbled (by trials), so that they will at last bow down in humility — to be blessed, and receive a new name: Hos 12:3-6.

A MAN WRESTLED WITH HIM: Jacob “wrestles” with man and God by seeking his own means — guile and strength. Jacob thought he was fighting with Esau (cp Gen 33:10) — because: why fight an angel or a stranger? (Did the angel alter his appearance to look like Esau?)

Gen 32:25

WHEN THE MAN SAW THAT HE COULD NOT OVERPOWER HIM: Jacob would never surrender. The power of angels is sometimes limited: 1Pe 1:12; Mat 24:36; Dan 8:13; 10:13; Gen 22:12; Exo 31:17 (cp Exo 23:12) (WJ 71). Others with whom God has “wrestled”: David (Psa 51:7,8); Hezekiah (Isa 38:12-14); Jeremiah (Lam 3:3-10); and esp Job (Job 10:16-20).

HIP (HOLLOW OF THIGH): The thigh is the greatest muscle in the body.

HIS HIP WAS WRENCHED: Jacob is disabled and helpless before Esau, and he is humbled before God. He should have recognized that God is in control of all affairs: Gen 28:12; 31:11; 32:1.

Gen 32:26

Jacob now realizes his true helplessness, and he clings to his one hope — in prayer.

BLESS ME: This includes the idea of forgiveness (Gen 22:17; Act 3:25; Gal 3:8; Exo 12:32; Num 6:24; Psa 72:12; 1Co 10:16; Joel 2:14) — ie, for chronic sin of self-reliance. “He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those that seek thy face (Peniel: vv 30,31), O (God of) Jacob” (Psa 24:5,6).

Gen 32:27

Vv 27,28: Thus his name is changed, from “Supplanter” to “Prince with God”, from a man of GUILE to a man of FAITH. All in anticipation of Gen 35:10.

Gen 32:28

NO LONGER… BUT: An instance of “not only, but also” — common Heb idiom. Hence Jacob — although given a new name — was still referred to by the old name also.

YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH GOD… AND HAVE OVERCOME: Jacob overcame through dependence of the strength of God. Cp Jer 31:11; Phi 4:13. LXX: “and with men thou shalt prevail” — ref to his coming encounter with Esau?

For Jacob and so for us, it is a recurring nightmare. For each day we, too, struggle and prevail, but each night we retire, wounded, and with self inflicted injuries that we need God to heal during our sleep.

Our self-inflicted wounds are when we are not in the Christ-like way. We need to add the third dimension of behavior — we fight for God, we fight men, The third dimension of behaving with wisdom and grace, Jacob learned later in his life, and so hopefully will we.

“You have contended with gods and with men and you have prevailed” — Is this all the blessing you apportioned me, mysterious one? Woe is me, I know, against all of you I have prevailed, over everything. But over one I could not, over myself alone” (Yitzhak Lamdan).

There was one element left out of the discussion, between Jacob and the angel, the hardest of all to overcome, for we are never satisfied with our own performance, are we? Jacob was, in his dying hours: Perfect (see Gen 49:18).

Gen 32:30

Jacob’s 3 memorials: see v 2n.

MY LIFE WAS SPARED: “For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they” (Jer 31:11). In answer to Jacob’s prayer (v 11). By faith the adversary-angel of darkness became to Jacob a protecting angel of light — bringing blessing: “If God be for us…” (Rom 8:31,32).

“There are many Jacobs in the service of God today — men who have received clear, gracious, divine assurances of the forgiveness of sins, of unfailing heavenly care and guidance, and of ceaseless angelic concern for all their affairs, and who yet live as though convinced that their own wit and wisdom and scheming and contriving are worth more than anything that the heavenly minister can achieve. It is enough to make angels weep with disappointment. Yet, happily, with some the day of realization comes as it did for Jacob, early enough to transform a life of assertive self-dependence into a pilgrimage of faith. Jacob illustrates plainly the angelic nature of what we call providence: [angels] giving affairs an intelligent bent this way and that, as occasion requires, without showing His hand. Where the angels do not operate, providence is not at work, but affairs are left to work themselves out on natural principles. Yet angelic operations in ordinary life are not distinguishable from the effect of nature, the results induced appearing natural. We cannot discover their hand and need not make the attempt. Our part is to fear God, keep the commandments, and go forth with courage and trust, believing the assurance that all things work together for good for those who love God” (RR).

Gen 32:31

THE SUN ROSE ABOVE HIM: Jacob had begun a new day: a new life protected by the “Sun of righteousness with healing in his wings” (Mal 4).

HE WAS LIMPING BECAUSE OF HIS HIP: A reminder of his mortal dependence. But physical weakness was not important, for Jacob had God’s strength (Hos 12:3-6). Cp Mic 4:6 (“her that halteth”), Zep 3:19 (“I will save him that halteth”).

Gen 33:1

JACOB LOOKED UP: “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help?” (Psa 121:1). “He that keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep… the Lord shall preserve thy going out (to Syria) and thy coming in (return to land of Palestine), from this time forth and forevermore” (future return) (Psa 121). See Lesson, Jacob’s life, a type of Israel.

Gen 33:10

YOU HAVE RECEIVED ME FAVORABLY: To Esau, this meant that Jacob was acknowledging his superiority. But to Jacob, this meant that he now saw God’s protection and direction everywhere, and that he need not wrestle any longer, as before (Gen 32:24).

Gen 33:14

UNTIL I COME TO MY LORD IN SEIR: Jacob promises a future visit.

Gen 33:18

HE ARRIVED SAFELY AT THE CITY OF SHECHEM: Or, as NIV mg, “he arrived at Shalem, a city of Shechem”. “Shalem” sig “peace” (as Shalom!). “Shechem” sig the “burden-bearer”. So, figuratively, Jacob came in peace to the “burden-bearer”, or Jacob came to the man of peace who bore his burdens!

Gen 33:19

Was it a mistake to buy a piece of land? This would lead to a permanent dwelling, not the best thing for a stranger and a pilgrim (Heb 11:9).

A HUNDRED PIECES OF SILVER: Perh Jacob was forced to repossess a property originally bought by Abraham his grandfather (Act 7:16; WAc 79). Cp difficulties Isaac had with Abraham’s wells (Gen 21:32-34; 26:18-33).

Gen 33:20

Cp Abraham’s stay there: Gen 12:6,7.

EL ELOHE ISRAEL: “The strength of the mighty ones of the prince of the mighty one”. The altar is identified with God himself (Psa 43:4).

Gen 34:1

Gen 34; 35: “These two chapters contain, among many other things, an insight into the dynamics of Jacob’s family. Dinah, Jacob’s only [recorded] daughter, whose name means ‘justice’ or ‘right’, appears to have sought the company of friends in the world [perhaps] to alleviate the loneliness she felt within the compound, where there was most likely a dearth of girls around her age. Her adventures led her to Shechem, a [honourable?] young man of the world it seems [in his willingness to redress his wrongdoing with Dinah, by submitting to circumcision] and for Shechem it seems as though he has found his ‘Miss Right.’ Simeon and Levi are revealed as scheming and as treacherous as any ‘Syrian’, and their readiness to ‘cheat’ to gain their revenge becomes a reflection on Jacob [‘the cheat’] himself. Jacob is revealed as being ready to wait on God in the matter of Dinah (v 5), whereas earlier in life his reactions would have been redress the situation in his own strength, just as Simeon and Levi now do. Rachel dies tragically in childbirth, bringing forth young Benjamin into the world. Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, who should have been the ‘priest in waiting’ for the family, reveals his passion for the ‘here and now’, by sleeping immorally with Bilhah, his mother’s handmaiden. What great comfort we derive once again from the fact that though this patriarchal family is so dysfunctional, God continues to work with it to forward His purpose and fulfil His plans” (CY).

Gen 34: There is no compromise! Premarital sex (fornication), even though motivated by “love” (v 3) and desire for eventual marriage (v 4), is nevertheless: “defilement” (v 2, AV), “violation” (v 2), a “disgraceful thing” (v 7), “folly” (v 7, AV), a “disgrace” (v 14), and “harlotry” (v 31). (Xd 116:371).

VISIT: KJV has “see”, but this is not strong enough: “visit” or “make friends with” would be more accurate. “The verb ‘to see’, followed by the preposition ‘b’ here has the idea of ‘look over’. The young girl wanted to meet these women and see what they were like” (NETn).

Gen 34:3

AND HE LOVED THE GIRL: Before, Shechem saw her as an “opportunity” (to fulfill his lusts); afterward, he “loved” her — but was it for what she had “given” to him, which was not his by right?

Gen 34:9

A solemn marriage contract — for generations, this was an Arab custom.

Gen 34:13

JACOB’S SONS REPLIED DECEITFULLY…: Why were Simeon and Levi esp cursed by Jacob in Gen 49:4-7, when this implies that all Jacob’s sons were involved? Although it appears that all the brothers were in on the deception initially, when the actual killing takes place it is either Simeon and Levi in the lead, or even more likely, Simeon and Levi acting alone (see vv 25,26,30).

Gen 34:16

THEN WE WILL GIVE OUR DAUGHTERS AND TAKE YOUR DAUGHTERS FOR OURSELVES. WE’LL SETTLE AMONG YOU AND BECOME ONE PEOPLE WITH YOU: The solution to alien marriage: Marry and convert. Perhaps Jacob felt this was the best way out of a difficult situation (not knowing, of course, of his sons’ evil scheme).

Gen 34:19

THE MOST HONORED OF ALL HIS FATHER’S HOUSEHOLD: Typ Jesus: see Gen 49:6n.

Gen 34:24

V 24: The old opportunistic, “wrestling” Jacob lives on in his sons.

Gen 34:26

THEY PUT HAMOR AND HIS SON SHECHEM TO THE SWORD AND TOOK DINAH FROM SHECHEM’S HOUSE AND LEFT: What a travesty of religion! To use it as a snare.

Gen 34:30

Jacob demonstrates a temporary loss of faith.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT TROUBLE ON ME BY MAKING ME A STENCH: It is only later that we hear of Jacob’s moral outrage (Gen 49:5,6). As well, he neglected to mention the demeaning influence this incident would have on the reputation of God, for they were supposed to be showing forth His glory, that is, the mission and mandate that went with the covenant. And so this God-loved family moved from spiritual function to dysfunction, as revenge guided their instincts in how they dealt with the terrible trauma that befell their family. Revenge made them to stink in the eyes of their neighbors.

Gen 34:31

A very lame excuse, considering general attitude of all the Shechemites.

Gen 35:1

GO UP TO BETHEL: Such a summons is, in effect, God’s forgiveness for all Jacob’s sins of the intervening 20-plus years.

BETHEL: “The house of God”. It was God’s plan that Jacob remain separate from Esau.

Gen 35:2

GET RID OF THE FOREIGN (STRANGE) GODS: “Teraphim” (Gen 31:19), having idolatrous implications. Suggestive of “wealth” (Gen 34:29) and property. Thus, Jacob and his wives renounce any claim to the lands and property of Laban, and demonstrate renewed reliance on God. (May refer to “teraphim” taken as plunder from Shechem also: Gen 34.)

PURIFY YOURSELVES AND CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES: Repr baptism: a purification by water, and a change of “garments”.

Gen 35:4

JACOB BURIED THEM UNDER THE OAK AT SHECHEM: In view of Jacob’s troubles there… a very fitting way to put an end to a former way of life. Cp Joshua at Shechem: Jos 24:23-26. Typ, we “bury” our old way of life under the “tree” of the “Burden-bearer”.

Gen 35:5

See WP 72.

THE TERROR OF GOD FELL UPON THE TOWNS ALL AROUND THEM: Other towns would have heard of the slaughter of the Shechemites (Gen 34:25).

NO ONE PURSUED THEM: ie, to avenge the murder of the Shechemites.

Gen 35:6

LUZ: The former name of the place. Sig “perverse willfulness, or waywardness”.

Gen 35:7

Vv 7-15: A short summary of main points of Jacob’s life.

Gen 35:8

Apparently, Jacob had returned to his family sometime earlier, found that his mother had died, and took her old nurse Deborah back with him to Haran.

Gen 35:10

NO LONGER…: ‘Not only, but also’. Other examples of this kind are Hos 6:6; Luk 10:20; Joh 6:27; Act 5:4; 1Co 15:10. Here, means: ‘Your name will not (only) be Jacob now, but (also) you will be called Israel.’

Gen 35:11

Jacob (“Supplanter”) (Gen 27:36) changed to Israel (“Prince with God”) (Gen 32:28).

Gen 35:12

THE LAND I GAVE TO ABRAHAM: Gen 13:14-17.

AND ISAAC: Gen 26:1-4.

I ALSO GIVE TO YOU… AND TO YOUR DESCENDANTS (SEED): The terms of the Abrahamic covenant:

• Abraham and his seed to inherit the land TOGETHER: Heb 11:40. Note the consistent inclusion of Abraham’s seed: Gen 13:15; 15:18; 26:3; 28:13.
• An everlasting inheritance; hence, the heirs must be immortal (1Co 15:50).
• The promised seed to come: (a) thru Isaac (Gen 17:15-19); (b) thru tribe of Judah (49:10); (c) thru house of David (2 Sa 7:12-14); and (d) thru family of Mary (Luk 1:30-33,65-75).

THE LAND: Involving all earth: Rom 4:13. None actually inherited the land: Act 7:5; Heb 11:13.

Gen 35:14

A further appeal to God to maintain the separation between himself and Esau (cp Gen 21:45-52).

HE POURED OUT A DRINK OFFERING ON IT: Wine on altar = the shed blood of Messiah on the “altar” of the cross!

OIL: Repr God’s Spirit, poured out upon Christ and then upon his bre, who become the “house of God”.

Gen 35:17

Sadly, to fulfill Jacob’s vow: Gen 31:32.

Gen 35:18

In similar fashion, Adam named his wife “Eve” — “Life!” — although by natural appearances “Death” might have been more appropriate. This demonstrates an appreciation of the importance of God’s promises, even in the midst of suffering. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2Co 4:17,18).

FOR SHE WAS DYING: Rachel symbolizes the nation of Israel — which dies politically at the coming of her “son” Jesus Christ: Isa 53:3; Luk 2:34,35; Rom 11:15.

BEN-ONI: “Son of my trouble, or my sorrow” (cp Mat 2:18). Jesus, at first coming, was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.

BENJAMIN: “Son of my right hand”. Jesus, the only son of his Father, after suffering in sorrow, was then elevated to power at God’s right hand: see Psa 80:17; 110:1,2; Mat 22:44; Phi 2:5-7.

“To every matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother’s loss, could see the mercy of the child’s birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials, our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson’s lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered.

“The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous flowers; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distil bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most disadvantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one swamp in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar…

“Faith’s way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon’s men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth the more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honor, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the light of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Benoni to be our living Benjamin” (CHS).

Gen 35:21

Typ national Israel in the Kingdom: Mic 4:8. Cp Luk 2:8.

Gen 35:22

REUBEN… SLEPT WITH… BILHAH: Reuben asserts his right (?) as firstborn (cp 2Sa 12:8; 16:22; 1Ki 2:22), by taking his father’s concubine. Reuben fears Jacob will show favor to his beloved Rachel’s sons, and thus pass him over. Note: where Reuben failed (ie, in fornication), Joseph was strong (Gen 39:9).

Gen 35:27

Somewhat amazingly, Isaac is still living when Jacob returns. Isaac was considered very old and thought he was at the point of death many years earlier (Gen 27:1,2).

Gen 36:1

Gen 36: “After the experiences of the family of Abraham, and a generation of faith, the record now considers the development of the Family of Sin: the generations of Esau. There is a listing of Esau’s wives and sons (vv 1-8), the genealogy of Esau (vv 9-14). The power of Esau’s descendants (vv 15-19), as men of flesh. The genealogy of Seir the cave-dweller (vv 20-30). The kings of Edom (vv 31-39). The territory occupied by the Edomites (vv 40-43).

“So there is a contrast between Israel and Edom: between the faithful and the worldly, and no compromise should be found to unify both. At first Esau seemed moved by religious conviction — the influence of his father. He named his sons Eliphaz (Strength of El) and Reuel (Friend of El), in v 4. But there was a decline, indicated by the naming of successive sons: Jeush (hasty), Jaalam (occult), Korah (baldness), in v 5. The story of the names indicate the deterioration evident in the family of Esau, the profane man, in whom faith was absent. He is the man of the world (Heb. 12:16), and those who imitate similar characteristics become part of his ‘family’ in the latter days” (GEM).

ESAU (THAT IS, EDOM): He is called Edom (which signifies “red”) here (and again, in Gen 36:8). By that name is perpetuated the memory of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birthright for a bowl of tasty beans (Gen 25:30). The very mention of that name “Edom” is enough to explain why his whole family is dispensed with in such a short account — one chapter. “If men do a wrong thing they have only themselves to thank, when long after it is remembered against them to their reproach” (Henry).

The foolish decision to relinquish his precious birthright seems to have begun a whole string of other foolish decisions — involving alliances with women, and families, of the land, peoples who cared nothing for the divine covenants of promise.

Gen 36:2

Esau consorted with the women of the corrupt and rejected Hittites and Hivites. These were women of Canaan — posterity of the cursed Canaan (Gen 9:25). It has been suggested — on the basis of Heb 12:16, where he is called “sexually immoral” — that Esau picked up his wives at Canaanite houses of prostitution and idolatry. (The names of his wives here seem to bear this out: see below.) If so, this was not only grossly evil, but it was an absolute departure from what his role should have been: as the firstborn, he should have been serving at God’s tabernacle; but instead he was frolicking in the temples of iniquity.

ADAH: A name which signifies “ornamental” or “bedecked”; this suggests an outward show, but no inward substance (cp 1Pe 3:3; 1Ti 2:9,10).

OHOLIBAMAH: A name derived from two Hebrew words: “ohel” (tent) and “bamah” (high place); this name strongly suggests a tent at the high place — that is, sexual abomination at the scene of idolatrous worship! Notice the similarity of this name to Oholah and Oholibah, the symbolic names Yahweh gave to Israel and Judah, when they forsook their marriage to Him and became “harlots” (Eze 23).

See Lesson, Alien marriage.

See Lesson, Jews and Arabs are cousins.

Gen 36:3

BASEMATH: Mentioned earlier, in Gen 26:34, along with Judith of the Hittites. These two wives were a “source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.” [It is also noted that Esau had married Mahalath a daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:9); this is possibly the same woman as Basemath. And since they were both described as Hittites, it is also possible that Judith (Gen 26:34) and Adah (Gen 36:3) were one and the same. It is also possible, for that matter, that these were even more wives!]

Such marriages were wrong on two accounts: (1) It was not ideal to have more than one wife (Gen 2:24; Mat 19:4-6). (2) Esau married women of the land (Hittites, Hivites, and Ishmaelites). Isaac, his father, married Rebekah of his own kindred. Jacob’s wives were also of his own kindred. When the Jews were about to enter the land they were warned by Moses not to make marriages with the people of the land lest they turn them away from God toward idols (Deu 7:3-4; cp Jos 23:12,13). Such an error of Solomon turned his heart to idolatry (1Ki 11:1-6; cp 1Co 7:39; 2Co 6:14).

“This is sad, and points a solemn warning to us. Marriage is a momentous undertaking, and for one of the Lord’s people to unite with a person of the world is to court disaster as well as to dishonor Christ. Yahweh’s instructions to Israel were very pointed: under no circumstances must they marry a Canaanite (Deu 7:3). In the times covered by the book of Genesis, though apparently no divine law had been given respecting it, yet the mind of God was clearly understood. This is evident from the care which Abraham took to secure Isaac a wife from among his own people (Gen 24); thus did he prevent Isaac from marrying a daughter of Canaan. But Isaac was careless about this matter. He failed to watch over his children so as to anticipate mischief. Esau, as we have seen, married daughters of the Hittites, Hivites, and Ishmaelites. God could not say of Isaac as he had of his father, ‘For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord’ (Gen 18:19)” (Pink).

Gen 36:6

Impl that Esau received the double portion of the firstborn, and that the new Jacob/Israel did not protest or scheme to take it away. Note ct: Esau got his riches inside the land, and left; Jacob got his riches outside of the land, and returned!

MEMBERS: “Slaves” (LXX).

Gen 36:8

A Jew becomes a Gentile!

Gen 36:24

HOT SPRINGS (MULES: AV): “Hot springs” also in RSV. See LB 397.

Gen 36:31

BEFORE ANY ISRAELITE KING REIGNED: How did the writer know of this? Because kings were promised to Israel in Gen 35:11.