---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Genesis 25"
description: "CHAPTER 25   :-. SONS OF
ABRAHAM. 1. Abraham took a wife—rather,
\"had taken\"; for Keturah is called Abraham"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/genesis/25"
---

![Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible](/images/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible.jpg)

 The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
 
Include 66 books
 
Denomination: calvinism
 
 GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong Of SolomonIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950 

CHAPTER 25

. SONS OF
ABRAHAM.

**1. Abraham took a wife**—rather,
"had taken"; for Keturah is called Abraham's concubine, or
secondary wife ([1 Chronicles 1:32](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/1/32)); and
as, from her bearing six sons to him, it is improbable that he
married after Sarah's death; and also as he sent them all out to seek
their own independence, during his lifetime, it is clear that this
marriage is related here out of its chronological order, merely to
form a proper winding up of the patriarch's history.

**5, 6. Abraham gave all that he had
unto Isaac . . . unto the sons of the concubines . . . Abraham gave
gifts**—While the chief part of the inheritance went to Isaac;
the other sons (Ishmael included) migrated to "the East
country," that is, Arabia, but received each a portion of the
patrimony, perhaps in cattle and other things; and this settlement of
Abraham's must have given satisfaction, since it is still the rule
followed among the pastoral tribes.
. DEATH OF
ABRAHAM.

**7. these are the days of . . .
Abraham**—His death is here related, though he lived till Jacob
and Esau were fifteen years, just one hundred years after coming to
Canaan; "the father of the faithful," "the friend of
God" [[James 2:23](../../../kjv/james/2/23)], died; and
even in his death, the promises were fulfilled (compare [James 2:23](../../../kjv/james/2/23)). We might have wished some memorials of his deathbed
experience; but the Spirit of God has withheld them—nor was it
necessary; for (see [Matthew 7:16](../../../kjv/matthew/7/16))
from earth he passed into heaven ([Matthew 7:16](../../../kjv/matthew/7/16)). Though dead he yet liveth ([Matthew 7:16](../../../kjv/matthew/7/16)).

**9, 10. his sons . . . buried
him**—Death often puts an end to strife, reconciles those who
have been alienated, and brings rival relations, as in this instance,
to mingle tears over a father's grave.
. DESCENDANTS OF
ISHMAEL. Before passing to
the line of the promised seed, the historian gives a brief notice of
Ishmael, to show that the promises respecting that son of Abraham
were fulfilled—first, in the greatness of his posterity (compare ); and, secondly, in their independence.

**18. he died**—rather, "it
[their lot] fell" in the presence of his brethren (compare ).
. HISTORY OF
ISAAC.

**19. these are the
generations**—account of the leading events in his life.

**21. Isaac entreated the Lord for his
wife**—Though tried in a similar way to his father, he did not
follow the same crooked policy. Twenty years he continued unblessed
with offspring, whose seed was to be "as the stars" []. But in answer to their mutual prayers (), Rebekah was divinely informed that she was to be the mother
of twins, who should be the progenitors of two independent nations;
that the descendants of the younger should be the more powerful and
subdue those of the other ([Romans 9:12](../../../kjv/romans/9/12);
[2 Chronicles 21:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/21/8)).

**27. the boys grew**—from the
first, opposite to each other in character, manners, and habits.

**28.** The parents were divided in
their affection; and while the grounds, at least of the father's
partiality, were weak, the distinction made between the children led,
as such conduct always does, to unhappy consequences.

**29. Jacob sod pottage**—made of
lentils or small beans, which are common in Egypt and Syria. It is
probable that it was made of Egyptian beans, which Jacob had procured
as a dainty; for Esau was a stranger to it. It is very palatable; and
to the weary hunter, faint with hunger, its odor must have been
irresistibly tempting.

**31. Jacob said, Sell me . . . thy
birthright**—that is, the rights and privileges of the
first-born, which were very important, the chief being that they were
the family priests ([Exodus 4:22](../../../kjv/exodus/4/22)) and
had a double portion of the inheritance ([Exodus 4:22](../../../kjv/exodus/4/22)).

**32. Esau said . . . I am at the
point to die**—that is, I am running daily risk of my life; and
of what use will the birthright be to me: so he despised or cared
little about it, in comparison with gratifying his appetite—he
threw away his religious privileges for a trifle; and thence he is
styled "a profane person" (; also [Job 31:7](../../../kjv/job/31/7); [Job 31:16](../../../kjv/job/31/16);
[Job 6:13](../../../kjv/job/6/13); [Philippians 3:19](../../../kjv/philippians/3/19)).
"There was never any meat, except the forbidden fruit, so dear
bought, as this broth of Jacob" [BISHOP
HALL].

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