Genesis 28:9 - Expository Study and Comprehensive Commentary

 

Genesis 28:9 - Expository Study and Comprehensive Commentary

Verse (King James Version):

"Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife."

References, Interpretation, Commentary, and Concordance:

Context and Summary:

Genesis 28 describes the departure of Jacob from his family to find a wife from his mother's relatives, while Esau, in an attempt to gain favor from his father Isaac, marries a daughter of Ishmael. Verse 9 specifically details Esau’s actions in marrying Mahalath, Ishmael’s daughter.

Detailed Commentary:

1. "Then went Esau unto Ishmael":

   • Esau’s decision to marry a daughter of Ishmael is a direct response to the disapproval his parents had for his previous Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35). Esau hopes that by marrying within Abraham's extended family, he might gain favor with his father, Isaac.

2. "and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael":

   • Esau already had two Canaanite wives, Judith and Bashemath. By taking Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Esau adds another wife to his family. This marriage is seen as a strategic move to align himself more closely with his family’s Abrahamic heritage.

3. "Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife":

   • The mention of Mahalath being Ishmael’s daughter and the sister of Nebajoth underscores her lineage and connection to Abraham. This familial tie might be intended to highlight the significance of Abraham's lineage and the interconnection of his descendants.

Concordance and Cross-References:

1. Genesis 25:13-16:

   • These verses list the sons of Ishmael, including Nebajoth, confirming the familial connections mentioned in Genesis 28:9. It provides background on Ishmael’s descendants and their role in the broader narrative of Abraham’s family.

2. Genesis 26:34-35:

   • "And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah."

   • This context explains why Esau's marriage to a Canaanite woman was distressing to his parents, setting the stage for his decision to marry Mahalath.

3. Genesis 36:2-3:

   • "Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth."

   • This provides further details on Esau’s marriages and his attempts to align with both the Canaanites and his Abrahamic heritage.

Interpretation and Application:

• Attempt to Correct Past Mistakes:

  • Esau’s marriage to Mahalath can be seen as an attempt to correct his earlier mistake of marrying outside of his family’s preferred lineage. It reflects his desire to gain his parents' approval and mend familial relationships.

• Significance of Lineage:

  • The mention of Mahalath’s lineage highlights the importance of family heritage and connections within the biblical narrative. Marrying within the extended family of Abraham could be seen as maintaining the covenant lineage.

• Human Effort vs. Divine Plan:

  • Esau’s actions contrast with Jacob’s obedience to his parents' guidance to find a wife from Rebekah’s family. This highlights the difference between human efforts to achieve favor and the divine plan that unfolds through Jacob’s journey.

• Esau’s Choices and Their Consequences:

  • This verse serves as a reminder of how personal choices, driven by the desire to gain approval or rectify past actions, impact one’s life and relationships. Esau’s decision, while seemingly strategic, is part of the larger narrative of his life choices and their consequences.

Conclusion:

Genesis 28:9 provides insight into Esau's character and his attempts to align himself with his family's heritage. By marrying Mahalath, Esau seeks to rectify his previous actions and gain favor with his parents. This verse, set within the broader context of Genesis, emphasizes the significance of lineage, the impact of personal choices, and the unfolding of God's plans through the lives of the patriarchs.