[Editor’s Note: Commentaries on the Book out-of Moses and you may Genesis Chapters step one – 10 is generally on the ScripturePlus Software regarding Book away from Mormon Main and on the fresh Bible Main web site here.]
Genesis twenty-four. A partner to own Isaac
Even though students assign Genesis twenty two, 23, and you may 24 to three other sources, many of these sections show equivalent themes concerning the continuity from covenant posterity. Within the chapters twenty two and 23, Abraham faced Isaac’s close death and you may Sarah’s genuine dying, whilst in chapter twenty-four he was hoping one the fresh new years carry out enable it to be Isaac. “Provided Isaac is actually solitary, the brand new divine guarantee from posterity remains unfulfilled.” To exhibit all of us that it, chapter twenty-four recounts the marriage off Isaac.
That said, the entire off part 24 looks outsized whenever we consider how couple verses it can have taken to state only that Isaac was betrothed and partnered to an effective divinely chosen cousin, the brand new grandd’s sibling Nahor. We wish to ask our selves as to the reasons the information associated with the story have already been kept which have eg proper care.
One to noticeable cause of the exact distance is that the part gets simple hints of your self-centered and conniving nature from Rebekah’s aunt Laban, whoever tough character are far more clearly shown as a consequence of their after deals that have Jacob’s marriages to his girl, Leah and Rachel (Genesis 29–31).
But there indeed need to be a more essential intent behind the fresh new facts than forewarning an individual from the Laban. BYU teacher Dennis J. Packard recommended this option of the most important things to research to own in the section “is how a steward acts.”
New Queen James Variety of Genesis 15:2 informs us you to Eliezer from Damascus is actually the new “steward out-of [Abraham’s] household.” Yet not, throughout Genesis 24 the name of your steward just who serves to your Abraham’s account to locate a girlfriend to possess Isaac, most likely Eliezar, “has never been labeled by-name. Why? Possibly he’s said to be appreciated significantly less a particular private, however, because good steward, or more, given that an illustration for everyone stewards.”
Brand new Hebrew statement found in Genesis fifteen:2 interpreted since “steward,” ben meshek beiti, is unique when you look at the scripture, therefore its specific meaning try undecided. Yet not, very old and you will modern students have chosen to take it to help you indicate that Eliezer was in a high reputation regarding believe to have precisely what Abraham possessed. And you will, watching the newest perspective of the words inside verse 2, specific features recommended one to “Abraham had adopted Eliezer [since their heir], on presumption, obviously, he will have no students regarding his own.” If real, this would made Eliezer’s choices because the you to definitely in charge in order to choose a partner to own Isaac two times as poignant. In this enjoy, the new winning betrothal out of Isaac create ensure that Isaac’s seed products would inherit what Eliezer’s youngsters would have inherited had Isaac stayed single.
The chapter features the fresh new major character of your own oath one to Abraham fashioned with his steward to ensure the popularity of their travel to obtain a girlfriend getting Isaac. From the transactions having Rebekah’s loved ones, brand new steward portrayed Abraham themselves in a really real sense. www.datingmentor.org/cs/japonska-seznamka/ The fresh new pledges God-made to Abraham on their seed was in fact actually trusted for the give off Abraham’s steward.
The seriousness of the latest oath you to Abraham fashioned with his steward is a good example of the kind of covenants on the ancient industry. Latter-date Saints can put on brand new old understanding of covenants directly to the fresh new covenants they generate which have Goodness. But, Bible student Scott Hahn precisely observes one to to do thus,
Old testament CommentaryGenesis twenty-four: A spouse to own Isaac
we have to disperse past particular progressive assumptions and you can retrieve brand new feeling of covenant whilst try stayed in biblical cultures-and not only about Hebrew and you can Religious religious countries, also regarding the Gentile and pagan societies of your own old business. To own covenant was the foundation of those societies. It offered individual persons its feeling of kinship, the sense of relationship, their sense of that belong-so you can a household, a group, and you can a nation. This new covenant oath are the origin away from family relations, national, and spiritual lifestyle.
