Christian Standard Bible
Genesis 25:23
23And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.
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 on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. 24When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb. 25The first one came out red-looking, covered with hair like a fur coat, and they named him Esau.
Read all of Genesis 25Genesis 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; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
- Genesis 24:60They blessed Rebekah, saying to her: Our sister, may you become thousands upon ten thousands. May your offspring possess the city gates of their enemies.
- Genesis 25:27When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
- Genesis 32:6When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau; he is coming to meet you — and he has four hundred men with him.”
- Genesis 33:3He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.
- Genesis 36:31These 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, “This is what your brother Israel says, ‘You know all the hardships that have overtaken us.
- Genesis 27:29May peoples serve you and nations bow in homage to you. Be master over your relatives; may your mother’s sons bow in homage to you. Those who curse you will be cursed, and those who bless you will be blessed.
- 2 Samuel 8:14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Kings 22:47There was no king in Edom; a deputy served as king.
- 1 Chronicles 18:13He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
- 2 Chronicles 25:11Amaziah strengthened his position and led his people to the Salt Valley. He struck down ten thousand Seirites,
- Psalms 60:8Moab is my washbasin. I throw my sandal on Edom; I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
- Psalms 83:5For they have conspired with one mind; they form an alliance against you —
- Isaiah 34:1You nations, come here and listen; you peoples, pay attention! Let the earth and all that fills it hear, the world and all that comes from it.
- Isaiah 63:1Who is this coming from Edom in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah — this one who is splendid in his apparel, striding in his formidable might? It is I, proclaiming vindication, powerful 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
In the dictionaries
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
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