Genesis 25:23

Genesis 25:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
• New International Version (NIV)The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger."
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”

Context of Genesis 25:23

21Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was unable to conceive children; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived [twins]. 22But the children struggled together within her [kicking and shoving one another]; and she said, “If it is so [that the Lord has heard our prayer], why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the Lord [praying for an answer]. The Lord said to her, “[The founders of] two nations are in your womb; And the separation of two nations has begun in your body; The one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” 24When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25The first came out reddish all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau (hairy).

Genesis 25:23 word by word

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה לָ֗הּ שְׁנֵ֤י גוֹיִם֙ בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙ מִלְאֹ֣ם יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ וְרַ֖ב יַעֲבֹ֥ד צָעִֽיר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• unto her, Twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• nationsגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
• in thy wombבֶּ֫טֶןbeţen · belly: wombH990
• of peopleלְאֹםle'ôm le'ôm · peopleH3816
• shall be separatedפָּרַדpârad · to separateH6504
• from thy bowelsמֵעֶהmê‛eh · bellyH4578
• shall be strongerאָמֵץ'âmats · to strengthenH553
• and the elderרַבrab · manyH7227
• shall serveעָבַד‛âbad · to serveH5647
• the youngerצָעִירtsâ‛îyr tsâ‛ôr · littleH6810

Cross-references for Genesis 25:23

• Genesis 17:16I will bless her, and indeed I will also give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
• Genesis 24:60They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, Become [the mother of] thousands of ten thousands, And may your descendants possess (conquer) The [city] gate of those who hate them.”
• Genesis 25:27When the boys grew up, Esau was an able and skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet and peaceful man, living in tents.
• Genesis 32:6The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.”
• Genesis 33:3Then Jacob crossed over [the stream] ahead of them and bowed himself to the ground seven times [bowing and moving forward each time], until he approached his brother.
• Genesis 36:31And these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites:
• Numbers 20:14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: “Thus says your brother Israel, ‘You know all the hardship that has come upon us [as a nation];
• Genesis 27:29May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be lord and master over your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, And may those who bless you be blessed.”
• 2 Samuel 8:14He put garrisons in Edom; in all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped him wherever he went.
• 1 Kings 22:47Now there was no king in Edom; a deputy (governor) was [serving as] king.
• 1 Chronicles 18:13He put military outposts in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the Lord helped David wherever he went.
• 2 Chronicles 25:11Now Amaziah took courage and led his people out to the Valley of Salt, and he struck down 10,000 of the men of Seir (Edom).
• Psalms 60:8Moab is My washbowl; Over Edom I shall throw My shoe [in triumph]; Over Philistia I raise the shout [of victory].”
• Psalms 83:5For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant—
• Isaiah 34:1Come near, you nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all that is in it hear, and the world and all that comes forth from it.
• Isaiah 63:1Who is this who comes from Edom, With crimson-stained garments from Bozrah [in Edom], This One (the Messiah) who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His might? “It is I, [the One] who speaks in righteousness [proclaiming vindication], mighty to save.”

Commentaries on Genesis 25:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Two nations are in thy womb - "We have," says Bishop Newton, "in the prophecies delivered respecting the sons of Isaac, ample proof that these prophecies were not meant so much of single persons as of whole nations descended from them; for what was predicted concerning Esau and Jacob was not verified in themselves, but in their posterity. The Edomites were the offspring of Esau, the Israelites were of Jacob; and who but the Author and Giver of life could…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19-34Verses 19-34 - LIII. Birth of Esau and Jacob 20. פדן padān Paddan, “plowed field;” related: “cut, plow.” 25. עשׂי ‛êśâv Esaw, “hairy, or made.” 26. יעקב ya‛ăqôb Ja‘aqob, “he shall take the heel.” 27. תם tām “perfect, peaceful, plain.” The epithet refers to disposition, and contrasts the comparatively civilized character of Jacob with the rude temper of Esau. 30. אדים 'ědôm Edom, “red.” The ninth document here begins with the usual phrase, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-26Verses 19-26 Isaac seems not to have been much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness. Jacob and Esau were prayed for; their parents, after being long childless, obtained them by prayer. The fulfilment of God's promise is always sure, yet it is often slow. The faith of believers is tried, their patience exercised, and mercies long waited for are more welcome when they come. Isaac and Rebekah kept in view the promise of all nations being blessed in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23nations: Jacob and Esau fought in the womb, and their descendants (Israel and Edom) fought continuously throughout their history. In their many conflicts, Israel achieved supremacy over Edom. the older will serve younger: God chose the younger son over the elder, which went against the usual order (compare 48:12–14; see Malachi 1:1–3; Romans 9:11–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3419. these are the generations--account of the leading events in his life.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 25:23

• Edomites
• Esau
• Isaac
• Israel
• Jacob
• Prayer
• Quotations and Allusions
• Rebekah (Rebecca)

In the dictionaries

• Firstborn
• Rebekah
• Swear
• Atonement, Day of
• Esau
• Firstborn; Firstling
• Genealogy
• Genesis
• Jacob (1)
• Leviticus

Commentaries on Genesis 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings