Genesis 25:23

23 And the LORD said unto her, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy body; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger."

Genesis 25:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:23

And the Lord said unto her
Either by one or other of the above persons she acquainted with this affair, and entreated to seek the Lord for her; or by an impulse upon her own mind: two nations [are] in thy womb;
or two persons, from whom two nations will spring, the Edomites and Israelites, the one from Esau, the other from Jacob: and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels;
different in their bodies, complexions, manner of life, religion, as well as place of abode: and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people:
the Edomites, the posterity of Esau, were a very potent people, and had a succession of dukes and kings, before the Israelites, the posterity of Jacob, made any figure in the world, and while they were slaves in Egypt, see ( Genesis 36:1-43 ) ; though in later times the Israelites became the stronger: and the elder,
or "greater", shall serve the younger,
or "lesser": the offspring of Esau, the eldest, should become tributary to the posterity of Jacob, the younger; which was verified in the times of David, when the Edomites were subdued by him, ( 2 Samuel 8:14 ) ; and still more in the times of Hyrcanus, when the Edomites or Idumeans became one people with the Jews, and embraced their religion ^F5, rather than to be dispossessed of their country; and will have a further accomplishment in the latter day, when the prophecies in ( Obadiah 1:18-21 ) shall be fulfilled. Of the use which the Apostle Paul makes of this passage, (See Gill on Romans 9:11), (See Gill on Romans 9:12).

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Joseph. Antiqu. l. 13. c. 9. sect. 1.

Genesis 25:23 In-Context

21 And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it be so, why am I thus?" And she went to inquire of the LORD.

23 And the LORD said unto her, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy body; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger."

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.