Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

are entering into a new condition, we ought by prayer to commend them to the blessing and grace of God. Isaac was well employed ...

Verses 19–26 Isaac seems not to have been much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness. Jacob and Esau were prayed for; t ...

bargain as his who sold a birth-right for a dish of pottage. Esau ate and drank, pleased his palate, satisfied his appetite, and ...

God blessed Isaac. Be it observed, for the encouragement of poor tenants who occupy other people's lands, and are honest and ind ...

Isaac sends Esau for venison. (1–5) Rebekah teaches Jacob to obtain the (6–17) blessing. Jacob, pretending to be Esau, obtains t ...

When Esau understood that Jacob had got the blessing, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry. The day is coming, when th ...

Jacob's vow. (20–22) Verses 1–5 Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a ...

Verses 16–19 God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and wher ...

was scarce, it was not there for every one's use: but separate interests should not take us from helping one another. When all t ...

was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our th ...

the promises of God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from whom the Messiah was to descend. V ...

Verses 22–35 God can put a bridle in the mouth of wicked men, to restrain their malice, though he do not change their hearts. Th ...

Chapter Outline Jacob's vision at Mahanaim, His fear of (1–8) Esau. Jacob's earnest prayer for deliverance, He (9–23) prepares a ...

resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by chan ...

Verses 17–20 Jacob did not content himself with words of thanks for God's favour to him, but gave real thanks. Also he kept up r ...

revenge; the thirst of revenge has recourse to treachery; treachery issues in murder; and murder is followed by other lawless ac ...

in a family, that have in their time been faithful and useful, ought to be respected. God appeared to Jacob. He renewed the cove ...

of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God, must be content to wa ...

prosperity and pleasure, and never dream of trouble. His brethren rightly interpreted the dream, though they abhorred the interp ...

they know not to what hardships they may be brought before they die. From the whole of this chapter we see with wonder the ways ...