Genesis 25:21

19 This is the ^agenealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. ^bAbraham begot Isaac.

20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, ^athe daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, ^bthe sister of Laban the Syrian.

21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; ^aand the Lord granted his plea, ^band Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” ^aSo she went to inquire of the Lord.

23 And the Lord said to her:
^a“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than ^bthe other,
^cAnd the older shall serve the younger.”

24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Genesis 25:21 Mean?

Genesis 25:21-23

God's revelation to Rebekah regarding the struggling twins is that two kinds or types of people were in her womb. They were definitely not identical twins. The word "manner," as used in the King James Version, indicates the reason for their rivalry; they were so different despite having the same parents. Their struggling in Rebekah's womb was a precursor of what continued after their birth, which significantly influenced the history of Isaac's descendants.

Each son's approach toward and manner of life irritated the other. Each rubbed the other the wrong way. Rebekah seems naturally drawn to Jacob and Isaac to Esau, exacerbating an already volatile situation. Thus, each boy became a victim of the parent's favoritism and was encouraged to take advantage of it.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)

Genesis 25:21-22

Women who have carried a child can relate to morning sickness and fetal movements, but what Rebekah experienced with these two fetuses engaging in wrestling matches in her womb is probably beyond our comprehension! Having an upset stomach or being somewhat queasy just does not compare with the abnormal amount of jostling and grappling the unborn brothers were doing. It grabbed her attention!

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
All About Edom (Part One)

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Genesis 25:21:

Exodus 23:7
Deuteronomy 27:25

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Genesis 25:22 >>

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What Does Genesis 25:21 Mean?

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