Genesis Chapter Twenty-Five Series

GENESIS CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE OVERVIEW

Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Abraham dies and Esau and Jacob are born.

Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 25

Abraham takes Keturah to wife: the sons of Keturah. Isaac is confirmed in the inheritance of Abraham's property: Abraham dies. The sons of Ishmael: Ishmael dies. Rebekah brings forth twins: Esau sells his birth-right to Jacob.

John Gill (1746) – Genesis 25

This chapter contains:

an account of Abraham's marriage with another woman, and of the children he had by her and of their posterity (Genesis 25:1)

of Abraham's disposal of his substance; and his sons, (Genesis 25:5)

of the years of his life, his death and burial, (Genesis 25:7)

of the children of Ishmael, and of the years of his life, and of his death, (Genesis 25:12)

of the sons of Isaac the fruit of prayer, and of the oracle concerning them before they were born, and of their temper and disposition, conduct and behavior, (Genesis 25:19).

Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 25

The sacred historian, in this chapter,

I. Takes his leave of Abraham, with an account,

1. Of his children by another wife (Genesis 25:1-4).

2. Of his last will and testament (Genesis 25:5-6).

3. Of his age, death, and burial (Genesis 25:7-10).

II. He takes his leave of Ishmael, with a short account,

1. Of his children (Genesis 25:12-16).

2. Of his age and death (Genesis 25:17-18).

III. He enters upon the history of Isaac.

1. His prosperity (Genesis 25:11).

2. The conception and birth of his two sons, with the oracle of God concerning them (Genesis 25:19-26).

3. Their different characters (Genesis 25:27-28).

4. Esau's selling his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:29-34).

Peter Pett (2013) – Genesis 25

Having introduced the changeover from Abraham to Isaac the compiler now deals with sundry matters relating to the final days of Abraham and the succession before going on with the main story. He clearly has here tablets which contain information which he wants to preserve and reveals that he is concerned here, not only with Isaac but also with the subsidiary fulfilment of God’s promises with regard to Ishmael.

After the heart-warming record of the obtaining of a suitable wife for Isaac as a result of the direct activity of Yahweh little is told us about him. This is because during his lifetime important covenants and theophanies were few and therefore there was no recording in writing.

KEY VERSE

Genesis 25:8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.

KEY EVENT

The death of Abraham.

KEY ACTION

Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.

KEY CROSS-REFERENCE

Hebrews 12:15-16 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

KEY QUOTE

“It is egregious folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honors, and pleasures of this world – as bad a bargain as his that sold a birthright for a dish of broth.” Matthew Henry