Genesis 25:21

21 Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.

Genesis 25:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:21

And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife
Was very earnest and constant in his supplications for her, as the word signifies, as is observed by Jarchi; or, "before his wife" ^F1, she being present, and joining with him in his prayers: the reason was, because she [was] barren;
which appeared by the length of time they had been married, which was near twenty years, see ( Genesis 25:26 ) . The Jewish writers ^F2 say, that, after twenty years, Isaac took her and went with her to Mount Moriah, to the place where he was bound, and prayed that she might conceive; putting the Lord in mind of the promise he there made of the multiplication of Abraham's seed, ( Genesis 22:17 Genesis 22:18 ) : and the Lord was entreated of him;
he granted him his request; for, though God has purposed and promised to do many things for his people, yet he will be sought unto by them to do them for them: and Rebekah his wife conceived;
two sons at once, as it follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (wtva xknl) "praesente uxore sua", Munster, Fagins.
F2 Pirke Eliezer, c. 32. Targum. Jon. in loc. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 3. 1.

Genesis 25:21 In-Context

19 Here is the history of Yitz'chak, Avraham's son. Avraham fathered Yitz'chak.

20 Yitz'chak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, the daughter of B'tu'el the Arami from Paddan-Aram and sister of Lavan the Arami, to be his wife.

21 Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.

22 The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI,

23 who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."