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And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Prophecy? Joseph told his brothers that God would visit them and bring them up out of the land of Egypt, but he also had a request for them to bring his bones when they left.

“Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph attributed his slavery to God and forgave his brothers.

God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers

Jacob/Isreal prophesied over Joseph and then the rest of this sons.
Joseph: God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.
1- Reuben: You sinned by sleeping with my concubine and shall lose your status as firstborn
2 & 3- Simeon & Levi: You killed men
4- Judah: you shall be praised, have victory over enemies, and have other brothers bow down to you
5- Zebulun: you shall be a safe haven for ships
6- Isaachar: you shall be a servant of forced labor
7- Dan: You shall judge and get in other’s way
8- Gad: will be raided and raid others
9- Asher: he shall eat and provide rich food
10-Naphtali: is a beautiful creature who has more beautiful children
11- Joseph: God will continue to bless you and make you strong
12- Benjamin: will have success over his prey and share the spoils

And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). And he blessed Joseph and said,

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,

the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,

the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;

and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” So he blessed them that day, saying,

“By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,

‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ ”

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.” His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.”

bless the boys;

and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Birth order and receipt of the blessing.
Culturally the eldest son got the blessing, but in these cases this did not happen. (I wonder why we don’t see these edits as normal to show us that not all rules are black and white but that other things are taken into account… perhaps this could be transferred to relate to how women are/were treated. The roles they had did not mean they could not have others).
*Jacob before Esau (Isaac and Rebekah’s sons)
*Perez before Zerah (Judah’s son by Tamar his widowed daughter in law)
*Ephraim before Manasseh (Joseph’s sons)…in this case these 2 became part of the 12 tribes of Israel, as if they were Jacob/Israel’s sons (not his son Joseph’s sons).

Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

Jacob/Israel worshipped

As for the people, he made servants of them from one end of Egypt to the other.

Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.” And they said, “You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh.” So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh’s.

Every person (man and woman and child?) became a servant of Pharaoh when they sold themselves for food during the famine.

Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

Jacob blessed Pharaoh

and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”

Men are valued if they are “able” (meaning strong, is my guess?)

Serah their sister

Serah was a granddaughter of Jacob

the son of a Canaanite woman

In the list of Jacob’s descendants that moved to Egypt during the famine while Joseph was in charge, was a child of an un-named Canaanite woman.

They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Jacob’s sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters are both mentioned in the trip to Egypt.

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

Jacob offered sacrifices to God.

And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it

Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.

Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

50 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh

When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and grievous lamentation, and he made a mourning for his father seven days. When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians.”

“Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Joseph wept.

Then he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.

As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’ ”

When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.” He said, “Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Joseph LIED to his brothers and tricked them.

Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination?

Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?

Joseph practices divination with his silver cup???

Serve the food.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

It is not permissible for us to do so, because we will sacrifice to the LORD our God that which is an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice that which is an abomination to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us?

ABOMINATION:

1) Joseph was not able to eat with Egyptians, because eating with Hebrews was considered an abomination.

2) Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians

3) Sacrificing to YAHWEH was an abomination to the Egyptians

Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.”

And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more,

If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”

Jacob/Israel did not rush to help bring Simeon back. Probably because he knew it put Benjamin in danger, but still.

And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On.

Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.

Joseph’s wife was Asenath

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

Joseph is raised up in leadership, given authority, clothed in fine garments, given a gold chain, gets to ride in the 2nd chariot, people are to call out “Bow the knee!” to him, and given a wife.

And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

Asenath was given to Joseph as his wife

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”

Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.”

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it

Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears.

And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them.

When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground.

And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.

for you are like Pharaoh himself.

Then your servant my father

“I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

JOSEPH: DREAMER/DREAMS
>God speaks in related stories through Scripture:
*Joseph was a dreamer.
*He had 2 very similar dreams about his family bowing down to him> Later these dreams come true.
*He was called a “dreamer” by his brothers (in a negative way).
*In prison he interpreted 2 prisoner’s dreams (cup bearer and chief baker).> These dreams come true
*Then he interprets 2 of Pharoah’s dreams> These dreams come true.
Joseph attributes God with his brothers selling him into slavery due to the larger picture of Joseph being able to help them when the future famine would come.

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit.

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.

Twice Joseph was mentioned as being in a pit. Once when his brothers threw him in one, and later when he was in prison in Egypt.

After two whole years

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today.

A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream

The cup bearer forgot his promise to mention Joseph to the Pharoah upon his release and did not remember for 2 more years.

his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men.

And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

Pharoah called on magicians and wise men (these two groups seemingly were trusted in the same ways)

I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Joseph points Pharoah to God as the one real one who will interpret his dreams.

Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

Pharoah of Egypt had 2 dreams that were interpreted by Joseph (via God)… predicting 7 years of fest and then 7 years of famine.

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday

But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Joseph (with God’s help) interprets the chief baker’s dream

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer

He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.

Joseph (with God’s help) interprets the cupbearers dream

And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”

Joseph relied on God for interpretation of dreams (and led others to God for this as well)

his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”

But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her and kept after him.
The she LIED and said he did sleep with her even though he had not.

How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Joseph saw saying no to sleeping with Potiphar’s wife as avoiding sinning against God.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

Joseph’s outward appearance is the reason for Potiphar’s wife to want to sleep with him

The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.

the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.

the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.

put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

God is with people, and he makes them successful (in this case Joseph in Potiphar’s house and in prison)

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt

Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites

Joseph was brought (similar language to how women are treated; Joseph was a slave at this point)

About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

Double-standard!
Judah slept with what he thought was a prostitute (but it was a disguised Tamar, his widowed daughter-in-law) and when he found out Tamar was pregnant he called her immoral and said she should be burned. UNTIL he found out that it was HIM who made her pregnant. So men can sleep with whomever they want but this poor woman is called immoral and set to be burned.

she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah

He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.

LIES *Tamar covered who she was.
*Then slept with her father-in-law by tricking him into thinking she was a prostitute at the city gate.
and when the men find out Tamar is pregnant they want to burn her for being immoral.

When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.

Judah slept with a woman he thought was a prostitute.

For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage.

Judah lied and did not give his son Shelah to his widowed daughter-in-law Tamar

And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also. Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.

she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.

*Tamar (the wife, then widow who had to sleep with many of her dead husband’s brothers).
*Then told to wait at home with her father until the young brother of her dead husband grew up old enough to sleep with her? GROSS & WEIRD.
*Then slept with her father-in-law by tricking him into thinking she was a prostitute at the city gate.

But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also

Onan was sinful for not trying to get his brother’s widow pregnant. (GROSS all around but this was sin apparently)

Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Men were expected to sleep with their dead brother’s wife in order to create children in their brother’s line

Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Wives of dead husbands were expected to be slept with by brothers of their dead husband so they could have children in the name of their dead husband. Gross. (in this case Tamar was the widow)

But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death.

But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also

God puts wicked people to death

And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar

Judah “took” a wife for his son named Tamar

There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.

Judah SAW Shua and slept with her.

All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him

Jacob had multiple daughters that get no attention (as compared to his 12 sons: the 12 tribes of Israel). Here Jacob is told that his son Joseph has died and none of his children can comfort him.

And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

A man was sold into slavery (Joseph)

So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Joseph went through Shechem to find his brothers, before they sold him into slavery. Shechem was where Dinah was raped and then the sons murdered the entire city.

Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”

Jacob included Rachel in the statement of who would NOT bow down to Joseph (in Jacob’s opinion)

But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.

So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

And his brothers were jealous of him,

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

We are all sons of one man. We are honest men.

We are honest men; we have never been spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father.

And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.”

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.”

Sins of Joseph’s brothers.
Hurt Joseph and sold him into slavey
Lied about it to their dad.
Later they call themselves “honest” (delusional much?)
Later they expect Joseph to treat them the same way (take their things, assault them, and make them servants)- ironic.
Lied to Joseph saying their dad, before his death, had asked them to ask Joseph to forgive them of what they did to Joseph (I’m not even sure if Joseph knew what they did?)

Lotan’s sister was Timna.

These are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places, by their names: the chiefs Timna,

Lotan was a female.
She was a concubine.
And she was a chief?

Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.)

Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

Esau’s wives and concubines are named

These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau’s wife: the chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the chiefs born of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife. These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father. These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, chief by chief in the land of Seir.

Some sons are called “chiefs”

Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan.

Wives and other members of household get “took” places

Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

And Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; Basemath bore Reuel; and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and

These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. (Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.) These are the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife. These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. These are the sons of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth

Having many wives was common. The women were referenced by whom their father was; except for UNIQUE: “Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth”- Ge 36:2–3.” .
Mostly only sons born are named by named (not daughters; which is says he did have daughters).

And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Isaac lived at least 20 years after he gave the birthright to Jacob?????? (These verses say he died after Jacob came back from 20 years of serving Laban)

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher. These

Was it a sin to have so many wives? And slave “wives”? The 12 tribes of Israel came from 4 “wives” of one man.

Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it.

Rueben slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah

So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day.

I like when the author tells the reader that things are as they were when this story happened. (ie in his day of writing the thing still is as it was in the story he is writing about)

Then God went up from him at the place where He had spoken with him. So Jacob set up a memorial stone in the place where He had spoken with him, a memorial of stone, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. And Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.

Jacob memorializes the place where God spoke to him
The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Ishmael’s mom “got/took” a wife for him.

She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female slaves, female donkeys, and camels.

Hagar was likely given to Sarah by Pharaoh after Abraham lied to him and he took Sarah to be a future wife.
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Where are you?”

Where is your brother Abel?”

“Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”

God’s questions always start with “Where?”
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

he shall rule over you.

Jesse’s: In perpetuating having men rule over women we are perpetuating not God’s original design but the curse as a result of sin (and a curse that was given to ONE COUPLE not all women and all men)
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.”

Jesse’s: If you compare this to the NT call from Jesus for Christians to bear fruit, is there a certain type of fruit that would be different for men and women to bear from each other?
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

separate

Jesse’s question: Did the act of God separating out of all things (light/darkness, land/sky, etc) do the same thing for men and women? IE it wasn’t a bad thing?
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Adam was told not to eat of the fruit. (NOT EVE)… then he is asked about if by God (who knows he gave this command to Adam, not Eve)

Be fruitful and multiply;

Be fruitful and multiply. - a repeated command to different people.

Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him. God said to him,

“Your name is Jacob;

You shall no longer be called Jacob,

But Israel shall be your name.”

So He called him Israel. God also said to him,

“I am God Almighty;

Be fruitful and multiply;

A nation and a multitude of nations shall come from you,

And kings shall come from you.

“And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac,

I will give to you,

And I will give the land to your descendants after you.”

Then God went up from him at the place where He had spoken with him.

God spoke to Jacob, confirming his new name as Israel.
God also renews his commands for being fruitful and multiply and his promise of descendants and of the land that he promised to Abraham.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Returns to Bethel

As they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities all around them, so that no one pursued them.

God protects his people by stopping others from hurting them (in this case keeping Jacob and his household safe as they left the area where Shechem’s people were murdered by Jacob’s sons)
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Returns to Bethel

And Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel

Deborah- Rebekah’s nurse (I don’t think she is mentioned until here which is after she died and was buried)

They took their flocks, their herds, and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field; and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, even everything that was in the houses.

Wives were taken along with everything they pillaged.

But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, that is, give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we consent to you: if you will become like us, in that every male of you will be circumcised, then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people. But if you do not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”

Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised,

Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons—Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers—each took his sword and came upon the city undetected, and killed every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword

Jacob’s sons came upon those killed and looted the city, because they had defiled their sister.

Israel’s sons lied and tricked Shechem and his whole country to be circumcised and then murdered everyone.

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and raped her. But he was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.” Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob said nothing until they came in. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard about it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.

But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter; please give her to him in marriage. And intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. So you will live with us, and the land shall be open to you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it.” Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor in your sight, and I will give whatever you tell me. Demand of me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give whatever you tell me; but give me the girl in marriage.”

Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah

The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter; please give her to him in marriage. And intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. So you will live with us, and the land shall be open to you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it.” Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor in your sight, and I will give whatever you tell me. Demand of me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give whatever you tell me; but give me the girl in marriage.”

Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?”

Dinah was raped and then had no say in if she was to marry her rapist (Shechem). Her abuser and his father went to her father and brothers to try to buy her as a wife. She had no say. AND there was no apology or admittance of any guilt. Shechem was attracted and thus raped.
Shechem offers any price for Dinah to be “given” to him in marriage. The sale price is for Isreal to have open property and trade opportunities in the land. Gross.

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and raped her. But he was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.” Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob said nothing until they came in. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard about it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.

But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter; please give her to him in marriage. And intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. So you will live with us, and the land shall be open to you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it.” Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor in your sight, and I will give whatever you tell me. Demand of me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give whatever you tell me; but give me the girl in marriage.”

Shechem raped Dinah and then tried to get her as his wife. (I cannot imagine being raped by someone and then being force to marry them).

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and raped her. But he was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.

Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah

Dinah was raped because the prince saw her and was attracted to her. He then thought he loved her and tried to get her as his wife.

God has dealt graciously with me

God is gracious

Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the tendon of the hip which is on the socket of the hip, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the tendon of the hip.

I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”

for you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed

Jacob wrestled with God’s angel and won.Even got a disclocated hip out of it. But would not let the angel go until he blessed him, which the angel did by changing his name from Jacob to Israel.

Now he got up that same night and took his two wives, his two female slaves, and his eleven children, and crossed the shallow place of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.

Two wives, two female servants, and eleven children
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Sends Presents to Appease Esau

And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. Yet you have said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.’ ”

Jacob leaned on God when he was afraid and reminded God of his calling and his promises.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Sends Presents to Appease Esau

I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves

Both male and female slaves were owned by Jacob

Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him; and when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called that place Mahanaim.

God’s angels meet humans (in this case Jacob on his way home) and Jacob names the place God’s Camp, Mahanaim.
The New Revised Standard Version Laban and Jacob Make a Covenant

May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor”—the God of their father—“judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac

Was the God of Nahor (Abraham’s brother) the same as YAHWEH?
The New Revised Standard Version Laban and Jacob Make a Covenant

If you ill-treat my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, though no one else is with us, remember that God is witness between you and me.”

Laban does not want Jacob taking more wives than his daughters (Such a crazy statement since he has 2 daughters that already share a husband due to Laban and the husband also has slept with both of their maids multiple times)
? I don’t know of any woman that had two husbands at the same time. Or male concubines. Were there?
The New Revised Standard Version Laban and Jacob Make a Covenant

Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about their children whom they have borne?

Laban views his daughters as “his” and their children as “his”
The New Revised Standard Version Laban Overtakes Jacob

Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So

Rachel uses her period as a reason she cannot get up from sitting on the items she stole from her dad.
The New Revised Standard Version Laban Overtakes Jacob

Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.

Jacob feared Laban could take his daughters back from him by force.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods.

The New Revised Standard Version Laban Overtakes Jacob

Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

LIAR/ STEALER: Rachel stole her dad’s household gods before she fled.
USES HER PERIOD as an excuse so she is not caught for stealing.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

So Jacob arose, and set his children and his wives on camels; and he drove away all his livestock, all the property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

Wives and children were set upon camels and sent out first.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Now leave this land at once and return to the land of your birth.’

God gives clear direction (in this case physically; of where Jacob is to go)
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me.

God of Bethel
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the goats that leap on the flock are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

God speaks through angels, and he makes a creative way for his people (in this case Jacob will get all of the speckled animals, which God makes very strong and numerous)
God sees what Laban did to Jacob
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your ancestors and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

God speaks to humans directly (in this case Jacob) and makes promises (“I will be with you”)
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Prospers at Laban’s Expense

Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything; if you will do this for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it: let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and such shall be my wages. So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen.” Laban said, “Good!

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s; he has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him as favorably as he did before.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

I have served your father with all my strength; yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father, and given them to me.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Prospers at Laban’s Expense

Let it be as you have said.” But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in charge of his sons; and he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was pasturing the rest of Laban’s flock.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Prospers at Laban’s Expense

Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the rods. He set the rods that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink, the flocks bred in front of the rods, and so the flocks produced young that were striped, speckled, and spotted. Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and the completely black animals in the flock of Laban; and he put his own droves apart, and did not put them with Laban’s flock. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob laid the rods in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the rods, but for the feebler of the flock he did not lay them there; so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. Thus the man grew exceedingly rich, and had large flocks, and male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the goats that leap on the flock are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

Then Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us. All the property that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks

And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. So he fled with all that he had; starting out he crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

The New Revised Standard Version Laban Overtakes Jacob

Then Jacob became angry, and upbraided Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? Although you have felt about through all my goods, what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsfolk and your kinsfolk, so that they may decide between us two. These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. That which was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it myself; of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. It was like this with me: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

CHEATERS:
CHEATER: Jacob makes a deal with Laban that he then deceitfully made sure the strongest of the flock became speckled so he would get to keep them….. however at the end of this story Jacob tells of how God was the one to give him all of the speckled/spotted/black animals, not by way of trickery from Jacob….. but in the end when Jacob leaves he tells Laban off and tells the story in a way that only Laban had cheated Jacob, which could be true?
CHEATER” Laban also tried to be deceitful by taking all of his existing speckled in the flock and giving them to his sons so Jacob would not get to take them.
Cheaters and liars both Jacob and Laban.
Rachel and Leah know that their dad (Laban) is a cheater too.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Prospers at Laban’s Expense

the LORD has blessed you wherever I turned.

God blesses Laban because of Jacob.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Prospers at Laban’s Expense

Laban said to him, “If you will allow me to say so, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you;

God speaks through divination to humans (in this case Laban, who is Rachel’s father)… or did Laban just think this divination happened?

Afterwards she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah.

Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and raped her. But he was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.” Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah

They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and left.

Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?”

These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, together with his daughter Dinah; altogether his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three.

Dinah is Leah & Jacob’s daughter
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

The entire story of Jacob and his 2 sister wives (Rachel and Leah) and their maid (Zilpah and Bilhah) is a story of how women (or at least these two women) felt they needed to earn the love of their husband and society by having sons.

Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night.

Rachel “sold” the right to sleep with her husband Isaac to her sister (Jacob’s other wife) for mandrakes (which I believe were thought to increase fertility).
Leah tells Isaac “You must” sleep with me… I have hired you” which does not sound like Jacob had any choice?

Then she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her.” So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife; and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.

Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son

Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.

Bilhah (Rachel’s maid) had no choice but to sleep with Jacob (Rachel’s husband).
Then Leah (Rachel’s sister) was jealous since Jacob was also her husband and her maid Zilpah also had no choice but to sleep with Jacob (also Leah’s husband)

Then she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her.” So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife; and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son

Rachel invited her husband (Jacob) to sleep with her maid servant Bilhah so she could have children.

she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob became very angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

Then God remembered Rachel, and God heeded her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach”; and she named him Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add to me another son!”

Did God withhold children from Rachel? It sounds like the biblical account answers yes.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, “Because the LORD has looked on my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also”; and she named him Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons”; therefore he was named Levi. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD”; therefore she named him Judah; then she ceased bearing.

God answers an un-loved, barren woman’s prayers (Leah)
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

giving the younger before the firstborn

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maid.) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He served Laban for another seven years.

Jacob offered to serve Laban for 7 years so he could marry his daughter Rachel. (Rachel does not seem to have been asked; and it was her father who was “paid” to be able to marry her)
Laban was able “to give her to any other man” he wanted. Later he uses the word “giving” again related to marrying his daughter.
Jacob worked 7 years to be able to marry her.
After 7 years Jacob said “Give me my wife” so he could sleep with her and make her his wife.
Laban instead tricked Jacob and had him sleep with his older daughter Leah instead, thus marrying her. He calls his daughters “ones” rather than by name, when he says the Jacob can finish off the marriage week with the “one” (Leah) and then can have the other “one” (Rachel) in exchange for another 7 years of work.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful.

Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful.

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

Rachel was the keeper of her father’s sheep

“Yes,” they replied, “and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with the sheep.”

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maid.) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, “Because the LORD has looked on my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also”; and she named him Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons”; therefore he was named Levi. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD”; therefore she named him Judah; then she ceased bearing.

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”

“Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her.” So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife; and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son”; therefore she named him Dan. Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed”; so she named him Naphtali.

Genesis 30:13 NRSV
And Leah said, “Happy am I! For the women will call me happy”; so she named him Asher.

Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day.

Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it.

These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, together with his daughter Dinah; altogether his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three.

The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife: Joseph and Benjamin. And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him. And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob—fourteen persons in all.

The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, with Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob—sixteen persons.

The son of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob—seven persons in all.

Rachel and Leah (Laban’s Daughters; Laban is Rebekah’s brother) and Leah’s maid Zilpah and Rachels maid Bilhah.
The sister has a life-long feud when their father tricks Jacob into marrying both and they invite their maids into the feud over giving Jacob ancestors.
Bilhah was slept with by Jacob’s son Reuben (so Rueben slept with his father’s concubine)
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and make your way successful. You shall get a wife for my son from my kindred, from my father’s house.

Abraham trusted that God’s angel would select a wife for his son Isaac from his own family members
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

go to my country and to my kindred and get a wife for my son Isaac.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.’

Isaac did not select his own wife NOR did he know that a wife was being selected for him. It sounds like he must have at least known that he would not be able to select his own wife?

Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, “You shall not marry one of the Canaanite women. Go at once to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father; and take as wife from there one of the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.

Jacob was not allowed to marry just any woman he might have wanted. He was given the parameters that it had to be a woman who was his relative through his father Abraham’s family.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one-tenth to you.”

Jacob declares that IF everything he thinks fulfills God’s promises comes true, THEN he will serve God and give God 1/10ths of everything he has.
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

And the LORD stood beside him and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

God re-promised his promise to Jacob
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

The New Revised Standard Version Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Jacob’s ladder
The New Revised Standard Version Jacob Escapes Esau’s Fury

Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.

Esau is so angry with his brother that he pre-meditates murdering Jacob.

So he went in to his father, and said, “My father”; and he said, “Here I am; who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me.” But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the LORD your God granted me success.” Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went up to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” Then he said, “Bring it to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said,

“Ah, the smell of my son

is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.

May God give you of the dew of heaven,

and of the fatness of the earth,

and plenty of grain and wine.

Let peoples serve you,

and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you,

and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

Esau’s Lost Blessing

(Heb 12:17)

As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob

The New Revised Standard Version Esau’s Lost Blessing

“Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright; and look, now he has taken away my blessing.”

Jacob steals his dying father’s blessing: He lies 3 times to his dad verbally and puts on a show that lies to him continually (by wearing his brother Esau’s clothes and draping his arms in kid skins).

Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me game, and prepare for me savory food to eat, that I may bless you before the LORD before I die.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my word as I command you. Go to the flock, and get me two choice kids, so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he likes; and you shall take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”

his mother prepared savory food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; and she put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she handed the savory food, and the bread that she had prepared, to her son Jacob.

Rebekah sins by crafting the ultimate in deception against her husband so he will bless her favorite son with the eldest birthright and inheritance.

“My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “See, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me. Then prepare for me savory food, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die

Esau’s story includes a blessing from his father after a game hunt and preparing a meal for his dying father who is going to bequeath everything to him.
The New Revised Standard Version Esau’s Hittite Wives

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite; and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

The New Revised Standard Version Esau Marries Ishmael’s Daughter

Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, and sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.

Esau took 2 wives! And they were both named: Judith and Basemath, both were Hittites.
+ Esau took a 3rd wife named Mahalath from Ishmael’s relatives.

exchanged oaths

Men exchanged oaths

Rehoboth, saying, “Now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

God makes room for his people: Rehoboth: A beautiful name to commemorate what God had done.

Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in the same year reaped a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him, and the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds, and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him.

Go away from us; you have become too powerful for us.”

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; settle in the land that I shall show you. Reside in this land as an alien, and I will be with you, and will bless you;

So Isaac settled in Gerar

Scripture link: Isaac was called to a foreign land and God blessed him to the point that the locals were envious. (This reminds me of the Israelites in slavery)

When Isaac had been there a long time, King Abimelech of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw him fondling his wife Rebekah. So Abimelech called for Isaac, and said, “So she is your wife! Why then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought I might die because of her.”

Isaac did not trust God. He was JUST reminded by God of his promise to him, and then he goes and lies because he is afraid the locals will kill him due to his wife attractiveness.

he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “My wife,” thinking, “or else the men of the place might kill me for the sake of Rebekah, because she is attractive in appearance.”

Rebekah was attractive so Isaac lied thinking the men of Gerar would kill him because of wanting her

So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “My wife,” thinking, “or else the men of the place might kill me for the sake of Rebekah, because she is attractive in appearance.”

When Isaac had been there a long time, King Abimelech of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw him fondling his wife Rebekah. So Abimelech called for Isaac, and said, “So she is your wife! Why then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought I might die because of her.”

Isaac lied and said Rebekah was his sister (just like his dad had done twice!)

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; settle in the land that I shall show you. Reside in this land as an alien, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and will give to your offspring all these lands; and all the nations of the earth shall gain blessing for themselves through your offspring, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

And that very night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you and make your offspring numerous for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

God re-promises Isaac the promises he made to Abraham

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said

God appears to humans (in this case to Isaac)
The New Revised Standard Version Esau Sells His Birthright

Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Bad mistake: Sold his birthright
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.

The New Revised Standard Version Esau Sells His Birthright

Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.

Esau was a man of the field; a skillful hunter.
Jacob was a quiet, indoor man.
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

The children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

and two peoples born of you shall be divided;

the one shall be stronger than the other,

the elder shall serve the younger.”

God answers our prayers (even if sometimes the answers are not what we want to hear)
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

The children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

and two peoples born of you shall be divided;

the one shall be stronger than the other,

the elder shall serve the younger.”

Rebekah inquired of the LORD. He answered her (not the best news but he answered)
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

God answers specific prayers
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren

Rebekah was barren
The New Revised Standard Version The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob

Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren

Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah
The New Revised Standard Version Ishmael’s Descendants

the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

The New Revised Standard Version Ishmael’s Descendants

twelve princes according to their tribes

He had 12 sons. They are called “twelve princes according to their tribes.”
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham Marries Keturah

But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, while he was still living, and he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

Abraham had multiple concubines.
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham Marries Keturah

Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Abraham’s second wife was Keturah, who bore him 6 sons.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Rebekah was taken into Isaac’s tent and I’m guessing they made love, which is how she became his wife. (Question: if a man slept with a woman would she automatically become his wife in these times? I don’t think so but I am not sure).
Rebekah was loved.
Rebekah was a comfort to Isaac after his mom Sarah’s death.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

So she took her veil and covered herself.

Rebekah covered herself with a veil before she saw her future husband.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Rebekah had maids that went with her. (This story is not huge in itself but these maids would also get to see the further fulfillment of God’s promise to provide numerous descendants to Abraham through the union of Isaac and Rebekah.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah

God provides a wife for Isaac
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”

Hospitable. Giving/ Generous (in this case Rebekah gave so much water to the stranger and his camels)
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

“I will not eat until I have told my errand.”

He (Abraham’s servant) will not eat until after he has spoken what he needs to say (whether just loyalty to Abraham or fear and just needing to get the deed done).
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside when I have prepared the house and a place for the camels?” So the man came into the house; and Laban unloaded the camels, and gave him straw and fodder for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. Then food was set before him to eat

Hospitality (in this case by Laban for Abraham’s servant’s men and camels)
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. As soon as he had seen the nose-ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man; and there he was, standing by the camels at the spring. He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside when I have prepared the house and a place for the camels?” So the man came into the house; and Laban unloaded the camels, and gave him straw and fodder for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. Then food was set before him to eat; but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my errand.” He said, “Speak on.”

What did Laban think was happening when he saw his sister with jewelry and saying a man had talked to her at the well?
Is there a connection to the new testament Woman at the Well story? I can’t tell if Laban is upset that a man talked to his sister or if because of the rarity of this occurence if he assumed it was someone sent with a message of human importance, or perhaps of godly importance?
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the way to the house of my master’s kin.”

God answers prayer requests (even if they are very specific like in this case when Abraham’s servant prayed that Isaac’s future wife wold be clearly revealed).
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Then the girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’

Rebekah says her Mother’s name FIRST and then her father’s (unique. usually just the father is mentioned? or is that just for sons?)
When she runs to her household, it’s called “her mother’s household”
Later when Abraham’s servant re-tells the story he also includes her mother’s name as he likely remembered that Rebekah had mentioned it.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

the man took a gold nose-ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments

Rebekah is given jewelry
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

The girl was very fair to look upon, a virgin, whom no man had known.

Rebekah’s beauty and virginity are mentioned before he talks to her.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. I am standing here by the spring of water, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. Let the girl to whom I shall say, ‘Please offer your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

Faithful life lived leads others to trust in God. (Abraham and his servant)
Abraham’s male servant (not named) prays to the LORD to give him success today and in honor of God’s love for Abraham. (This shows that Abraham told others about God and this rubbed off on others to trust in God and seek him). Evangelism in a way.
He also asked for a sign.
He also is calling upon the promise God made (not in his exact words but in his actions and in calling upon Abraham’s God using Abraham’s name). Isaac is Abraham’s only descendant.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

outside the city by the well of water; it was toward evening, the time when women go out to draw water.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water

Women drew water from the well
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

“Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land; must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

when you come to my kindred; even if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Look, Rebekah is before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

“Send me back to my master.” Her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey successful; let me go that I may go to my master.” They said, “We will call the girl, and ask her.” And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.”

The woman would HAVE a choice whether or not she wanted to travel with the servant to Canaan to marry Abraham’s son. (This is the first instance of a woman needing to be “willing.”) UNIQUE
However when the real scene plays out upon the servant’s arrival he talks to Rebekah’s brother (not Rebekah) and they talk about the decision being “fi they will not give her to you” so this sound different than the female’s willingness.
And when the question is “popped” it is to her father and brother, who answer that they can “take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son”
And the servant pays off the family with costly ornaments.
BUT :) When her brother and mother ask if she can stay 10 days before leaving, and Abraham’s servant says no, they decide to let Rebekah decide (unique!): And she says she will go.
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

“See to it that you do not take my son back there. The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

only you must not take my son back there

Abraham took actions to avoid doing things against God’s promises (in this case he would not let his only son Isaac go back to where Abraham came from since God had promised the land they were now in to Abraham’s descendants- only one of which existed: Isaac. Abraham wasn’t going to risk it. …. [Jen’s thought just now: Abraham has finally learned to WAIT on God’s timing. He is in the land and will not let his son leave until the promise is fulfilled. UNLIKE when he and Sarah did not wait for the fulfillment of a child promise earlier]
The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his house, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Abimelech Make a Covenant

“God is with you in all that you do; now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien.” And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Abraham makes an oath swearing by the LORD (in this case the oath is made with his trusted servant)
In the case of the oath with Abimelech, Abimelech initiated it and asked Abraham to make an oath with him in the name of the LORD and Abraham did.
The New Revised Standard Version Sarah’s Death and Burial

For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as a possession for a burying place.”

Business, negotiation, friendship. (in this case Abraham buys the field and cave from which to bury his wife Sarah. He buys it from a Hittite named Ephron.
The New Revised Standard Version The Children of Nahor

Abraham’s brother. Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Reumah: he concubine of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
The New Revised Standard Version The Children of Nahor

Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, coming out with her water jar on her shoulder.

Rebekah is mentioned in a lineage (unique for a female)
Rebekah is selected by God to marry Isaac.
The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

“By myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.”

God blesses you, your offspring, and OTHERS when you are faithful to him.
The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

God provides (in this case, just in the nick of time for Abraham) + (in the case of Hagar that is a mirror image: God provides a well of water just as Hagar and Ishmael think they are going to die)
The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.”

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away.

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son

Foreshadow of Jesus: Isaac was Abraham only son whom loved, and was called to be a sacrifice at God’s request
The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him.

Abraham did as God said (which was difficult in this case, as he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac)
The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.”

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

God tests humans (in this case by asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac)
The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.

When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him

The New Revised Standard Version The Command to Sacrifice Isaac

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Hagar also “sacrificed” her son of Abrahams and God provided an unseen well (just what she needed). This is so similar to the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac and God providing an unseen ram at the right moment.
The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away.

Abraham listened to God (who told him to do as his wife told him) and immediately the next day sent Hagar and his beloved son away.
The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you

God tells a man to do as his wife tells him. (Unique!)
The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.”

Jealousy (in this case Sarah was jealous of Hagar and Ishmael) and treated them with jealousy and like they were expendable.

The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.

God follows through (in this case with his promises)
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Then Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

God closes wombs. And he opens them.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account.”

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.’ ”

Sarah lied saying she was only Abraham’s sister. In the second passage at least Abraham fesses up that he asked her to do this.
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Therefore I did not let you touch her.

God acts to keep humans from sinning
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

it was I who kept you from sinning against me

God knows our innocence when we are innocent.
The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him,

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

I did this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart;

God speaks to humans in dreams…and in this case also allows a human to make a case for his innocence.
The New Revised Standard Version The Shameful Origin of Moab and Ammon

And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the world. Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night; and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; he did not know when she lay down or when she rose. On the next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Look, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night also; and the younger rose, and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she rose. Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. The firstborn bore a son, and named him Moab; he is the ancestor of the Moabites to this day. The younger also bore a son and named him Ben-ammi; he is the ancestor of the Ammonites to this day.

Lot’s daughters got their dad drunk and both slept with him and got pregnant and gave birth (one to Moab and one to the ancestor that became the Ammonites).
How it started was their belief (lie) that there were no other men for them to sleep with on earth. (ODD. What happened to their future husbands that had escaped from Sodom? or did those men never leave Sodom and were destroyed? of did those mean ditch them after the whole episode of Sodom?)
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife does not have a name but as the end of the Sodom destruction story she dies for sinning (looking back when God’s angels told Lot to make sure his family did not do this).
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

do not look back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed

Lot’s wife did not listen to the order the angels gave and she looked back to Sodom as it was being destroyed. As a result of this sin she died.
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

He destroys sinful humans.
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

but I cannot flee to the hills, for fear the disaster will overtake me and I die. Look, that city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” He said to him, “Very well, I grant you this favor too, and will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.”

God (‘s angels) provide favor to God’s chosen people. (In this case Lot asks if he can escape to a closer city when the angels destroy Sodom and they say okay)
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered; so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and left him outside the city.

The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar.

Lot not only slept in but “lingered” after he was awakened by the angels and urged to leave Sodom before it was destroyed. (Personally I don’t think I would have even been able to fall asleep the night before). … a bit more context could be how early the angels arrived since I am just seeing that a few verses later the “sun had risen” by the time Lot arrived in the small safe town of Zoar.
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

Laughing at the truth of destruction. (In this case Lot’s future son-in-laws think Lot is joking when he tells them it’s time to get out of the city because God is about to destroy Sodom)
The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city—bring them out of the place. For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”

God can and does sometimes destroy sinners.
AND conversely saves the righteous from destruction.

Before they lay down, the men of the city—the men of Sodom—surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. Now look, I have two daughters who have not had relations with any man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do not do anything to these men, because they have come under the shelter of my roof.” But they said, “Get out of the way!” They also said, “This one came in as a foreigner, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them!” So they pressed hard against Lot and moved forward to break the door. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, from the small to the great, so that they became weary of trying to find the doorway.

The men of Sodom desire to gang sleep with the 2 angels of God. They are very adamant and pushy. (This idea that just because these men of Sodom see and desire someone sexually they are able to have them is so deeply entrenched in men’s sin)
Lot offers his virgin daughters to these men (GAH!).
The New Revised Standard Version Judgment Pronounced on Sodom

“For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

The New Revised Standard Version Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring

God listens to the pleas of humans
The New Revised Standard Version Judgment Pronounced on Sodom

Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? No, for I have chosen him

The New Revised Standard Version Judgment Pronounced on Sodom

Then the LORD said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.

The New Revised Standard Version Judgment Pronounced on Sodom

Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

The New Revised Standard Version Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the Plain and saw the smoke of the land going up like the smoke of a furnace.

So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the Plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had settled

God lets humans (in this case Abraham) see his patience in reviewing judgement. He allows Abraham to see, ask questions, and gain understanding, and also to plea for their lives in the case that someone in Sodom or Gomorrah is righteous…. interestingly it was only his nephew’s family (Lot) that was saved. Maybe Abraham had them in mind when he asked?
The New Revised Standard Version Judgment Pronounced on Sodom

Then the LORD said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.”

God will know if a person (or a people group) are sinful. (In this case he goes to Sodom and Gomorrah to look into the accusations of how grave their sin in).
The New Revised Standard Version A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”

The New Revised Standard Version A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah

The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Sarah laughed at God’s prophecy/promise to provide her with a son in her old age. Then Sarah lied saying she did not laugh….. LATER however when God’s promise comes true she honors God by saying he brought her laughter that will be joy not only for her but for everyone who hears of how God fulfilled this laughable promise.
The New Revised Standard Version A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah

They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”

Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.

God prophecies that Sarah will have a son soon.
The New Revised Standard Version A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When

God appeared to Abraham as “three men”
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!”

The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.”

God listens to our requests. It is his right to say yes, no, or somewhere in between. (In this case he lets Abraham know that he hears his request for Ishmael, that the answer is no, but that he will bless Ishmael in other ways).
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!” God said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.” And when he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.

God has plans that are different than human plans (in this case Abram wants his son Ishmael to be the fulfillment of God’s promise/covenant, but God says no, I have my own plans)
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Abram laughs when God says Sarah will have a child at her age of 90+
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

God values circumcision as a sign of keeping the covenant. (Circumsion is a sign God sets with Abraham)
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

and I will be their God.”

Ultimately as part of God’s covenant with Abram, he promises “to be God to you and to your offspring after you”
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.

God asks Abram to be blameless (Interestingly this is before the Law is given so it’s unclear how he would know what the means)
The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations

The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

“As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her

God renames people (examples tagged: Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah)

So she named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?”

A woman (Hagar) is the first to give God a name (in this case “El-roi”)
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

To the woman he said,

“I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing;

in pain you shall bring forth children,

yet your desire shall be for your husband,

and he shall rule over you.”

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

And to the man he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife,

and have eaten of the tree

about which I commanded you,

‘You shall not eat of it,’

cursed is the ground because of you;

in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

and you shall eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread

until you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken;

you are dust,

and to dust you shall return.”

The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.” And the angel of the LORD said to her,

“Now you have conceived and shall bear a son;

you shall call him Ishmael,

for the LORD has given heed to your affliction.

He shall be a wild ass of a man,

with his hand against everyone,

and everyone’s hand against him;

and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”

God speaks directly to both women and men. (In this case to Eve and to Adam) (In the other case God speaks to Hagar directly)

The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.”

Hagar is given a blessing by God. Her offspring will be a multitude.

The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.” The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.” And the angel of the LORD said to her,

“Now you have conceived and shall bear a son;

you shall call him Ishmael,

for the LORD has given heed to your affliction.

He shall be a wild ass of a man,

with his hand against everyone,

and everyone’s hand against him;

and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”

A prophecy of Ishmael

And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?”

God asks humans questions. Similar to the question in the Garden, God already knows the answers but dignifies humans with a chance to talk to him about it. In the Garden they were given a chance to CONFESS. With Hagar she is given a chance to UNLOAD her feelings.

The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?

God has angels and sends them to humans. God speaks to humans (even a woman; slave Hagar)

And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!” But Abram said to Sarai, “Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her.

Abram 1) slept with Hagar (a woman who was not his wife) to 2) to take having descendants into his own hands. (God had already told Abram he would have descendants so both he & Sarai should have trusted that God would have told them to do this IF sleeping with Hagar was in fact the plan; clearly instead this decision and action was human impatience instead)
and 3) then Abram gave permission to Sarai to mistreat Hagar.
Sarai dealt with Hagar harshly.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose name was Hagar, and Sarai said to Abram, “You see that the LORD has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!” But Abram said to Sarai, “Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her.

Sarai suggests her husband sleep with Hagar (her slave-girl) so he can have descendants. (God had already told Abram he would have descendants so they both should have trusted that God would have told them to do this IF it was in fact the plan; clearly it was human impatience instead).
Her first sin was not to trust God and to feel alienated by the very promise God gave to Abram (and thus to her). They had been promised descendants by God… I wonder how often humans sin in Scripture comes after being mad at God’s timing?
Sarai dealt with Hagar harshly.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the fire. (At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the words of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.)

God makes covenants with humans. (in this case Abram)… and later with his descendants on the mountain.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,

God reveals himself through fire (in this case as a smoking fire pot and flaming torch) to Abram
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

God knows the future.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man

God puts Abram in a deep sleep to tell him the prophecy of his future descendants. This REMINDS me so much of when he put Adam into a deep sleep to remove his rib and create Eve.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete

God prophecies to Abram about what will happen to his descendants BEFORE he even has any descendants.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

“Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two

God values sacrifice of animal life (if they are directed by him)
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

Then he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”

Abram questions the surety of God’s promise.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

Then he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”

God speaks to humans. And he takes the time to remind of us of the journey he has already taken us on.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

God credits humans with righteousness (ie Righteousness is something that God credits to humans; we don’t earn it and as we watch more of Abraham’s decisions unfold that are based in fear we have to face that perhaps our version of “righteous” is not the same as God’s)
**** Abraham did not act 100% perfect and then get graded by God as having earned righteousness. Rather God credited it to him as righteous. The same thing that Jesus does for believers by crediting to us.
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Abram believed God
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision

The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

the word of the LORD came to him

God appears in a vision
His word can come to humans
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”

God allows humans to ask him questions and share their struggles (in this case Abram is concerned that he has no blood heir)
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

But the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

God speaks to humans. He defends and provides for humans (in this case he comes to a vision to Abram and says he will be a “shield” to Abram.
God also says he has a reward for Abram.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.

Abram tithes one-tenth (an amount that we see if pleasing to God; unlike Cain)
The New Revised Standard Version Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

God works on behalf of his people. He delivers them. (in this case he delivered Abram’s enemies into Abram’s hand)
The New Revised Standard Version Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

maker of heaven and earth;

and blessed be God Most High,

God is the maker of heaven and earth.
We can call him “God Most High”
The New Revised Standard Version Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

maker of heaven and earth;

and blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

God has and sends priests to bless his people (in this case King Melchizedek of Salem is sent to bless Abram with bread and wine)
The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, and the women and the people.

Women in Lot’s household were brought back from captivity. Interestingly both these women and Lot himself are listed after “all the goods” that were saved.
The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

In the days of King Amraphel of Shinar, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim, these kings made war with King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

in the thirteenth year they rebelled

The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

and subdued the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in the hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the edge of the wilderness; then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and subdued all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar. Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim with King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar, four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen

Lots of King (male) fighting with each other. {This might not have been considered sin because they weren’t God’s people?]
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth; so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”

God speaks and blesses (in this case Abram and his offspring). The blessing is a third time reminder.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

The people (no specific gender; so both) were wicked sinners in Sodom.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Lot looked about him, and saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward; thus they separated from each other.

Lot was pretty selfish in picking the best of the land for himself (the opposite was Abram who let Lot pick first and showed compassion and care)
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

Abram showed compassion and fairness toward his nephew Lot in saying “let’s share” the land and by letting Lot pick the direction of land he wanted and Abram took the remaining direction.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them living together; for their possessions were so great that they could not live together, and there was strife between the herders of Abram’s livestock and the herders of Lot’s livestock.

Strife due to having too many possessions (in this case between Abram and Lot).
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife

God works on behalf of his people. (in this case God sends plagues on Pharoah for taking in Sarai), however it is interesting because Abram is the one who caused this situation….. Perhaps God sent plagues not against Pharoah’s sin but on behalf of Sarai herself? (The text does not say this or indicate it on how the people respond/talk to each other but perhaps they misunderstood the real problem?)
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

male and female slaves

Doesn’t exactly fall in this category (because it’s not about God’s eyes): but shows that both men and women could be slaves in the cultures of the earth.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

While residing in Gerar as an alien, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” And King Abimelech of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Beauty = man can “take” her (in this case Sarai is beautiful so she is taken by the Pharaoh’s officials into his house). No say in it at all and just because they think she is beautiful. [To me this is a precursor to the idea that if a man thinks someone is good looking they can do whatever they want with her.]
AGAIN later Sarah (even after being re-named) is put into the same situation again by Abraham who lies and tells another group of people that Sarah is his sister and the King “sent and took Sarah” (Gen 20:2). This story doesn’t mention her beauty as the reason but it is noteworthy that once again a woman is just able to be taken because someone wants her.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account.”

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone.” And Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning him; and they set him on the way, with his wife and all that he had.

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

While residing in Gerar as an alien, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” And King Abimelech of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.

The New Revised Standard Version Abraham and Sarah at Gerar

Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such great guilt on me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that ought not to be done.” And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What were you thinking of, that you did this thing?” Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.’

Abram sinned by asking his wife to lie and say to the Egyptians that she was his sister. Sins:1) Doesn’t ask or rely on God to help (but maybe this is too early on in human history for the idea of a human asking God for something if God doesn’t appear to you first? AFTER READING to the next chapter I see that Abram made an altar and called on the name of the LORD in Gen 13:4 so that means he did know he could call on God. Perhaps maybe didn’t realize he could do it anywehre?), 2) lying, 3) assuming that the Egyptians will kill him (ie he makes up a scenario where he can justify his own crazy idea of lying)
LATER he does this AGAIN: Abraham (after he is re-named) does this again. He lies to another people group telling them that Sarah is his sister and AGAIN the local King takes his wife. The local king calls Abraham out to God and then the King calls Abraham out to his face. At least he explains that he asked Sarah to lie.
The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

he said to his wife Sarai, “I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; then they will kill me, but they will let you live.

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

Sarai is beautiful so Abram anticipates problems (ie takes matters into his own hands)

Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

God appears to humans (in this case Abram)

At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.

God speaks to humans and blesses (in this case a second time promise to Abram)

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

God redeems even land. (In this case the “bad” son of Noah - named Ham - who was the one to look at his father naked was the father of Canaan (according to Gen 9:18) and now with God’s chosen (Abram) God brings him to Canaan and promises him this land instead.

Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan.

The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

So the enemy took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way; they also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother

The New Revised Standard Version Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, and the women and the people.

Lot (the nephew; male) is listed the same as Sarai (wife) in a list that sounds similar to property. (Abram took his wife Sarai and nephew Lot along with his nephew and other belongings. Interestingly we don’t treat boys/nephews as being taken across the board. I’ll make a note of this in Female Identity tag too)…. This really reminds me of the new testament times when a woman is listed along with the property (or even in the Ten Commandments)… the fact that a nephew is listed here too makes me wonder if we interpret the females being listed this way as negative somehow but it really was just stating who the head of the household was (in this case Abram) and not stating the value of females as being the same a livestock.
Later Lot is “taken” again when he gets caught up in the fighting of the King’s…. and Abram hears of his captivity and sends an army to save him… and his women and people.

Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan.

Women listed a something a man “takes” like property (in this case Abram took his wife Sarai along with his nephew and other belongings. Interestingly we don’t treat boys/nephews as being taken across the board. I’ll make a note of this in Men tag too)

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him

So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

he built an altar to the LORD and invoked the name of the LORD.

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the LORD.

The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

The New Revised Standard Version The Sign of the Covenant

Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all the slaves born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised; and all the men of his house, slaves born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Abram did as the LORD told him. Obedient. Trusting.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God speaks to humans (in this case Abram), gives them direction, and blesses them.

Abram and Nahor took wives; the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. She was the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were two hundred five years; and Terah died in Haran.

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Lot Separate

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

The New Revised Standard Version Abram and Sarai in Egypt

Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to reside there as an alien, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account.” When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female slaves, female donkeys, and camels.

But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone.” And Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning him; and they set him on the way, with his wife and all that he had.

The New Revised Standard Version The Children of Nahor

“Milcah also has borne children, to your brother Nahor

The New Revised Standard Version The Children of Nahor

These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

The New Revised Standard Version Sarah’s Death and Burial

Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years; this was the length of Sarah’s life. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her

The New Revised Standard Version Sarah’s Death and Burial

Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old;

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

“I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”

The New Revised Standard Version The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

There Abraham was buried, with his wife Sarah.

The New Revised Standard Version Ishmael’s Descendants

Sarah’s slave-girl

Sarai and her sis-in-lsaw Milcah are both named. Sarai is given a lot of description as well.

Now these are the descendants of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram

Abram is from the line of Shem, son of Noah.

and had other sons and daughters.

and had other sons and daughters

and had other sons and daughters

Example of how females are not named but listed as “other sons and daughters.” (To be fair, often the son born after the first is also never named or mentioned)
I tagged a few examples but this happens often in Scripture so I won’t tag them all.

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

No gender of the “whole earth” is mentioned at the Tower of Babel but both genders are included in the “whole earth” so they were there. I wonder what their perspective was, if unique from the males?

The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the LORD said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

A confusing one: God does intervene to foil humans. (This one is at the Tower of Babel)

Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly

Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth

In the Tower of Babel story humans mimicked God’s “us” from creation by banding together as a new “us” and having plans of their own.
The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

The descendants of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Cush

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Babel

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Assyria, and built Nineveh

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Egypt

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

from which the Philistines come.

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites

The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha

Ham (Noah’s sinful son)’s descendants ended up being a lot of the bad guys in Scripture
The New Revised Standard Version Nations Descended from Noah

Nimrod; he was the first on earth to become a mighty warrior. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD

Nimrod was a “mighty hunter”

Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

From these 4 men the entire earth was populated: Noah and his 3 sons

I Myself am establishing My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;

I establish My covenant with you

God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations;

I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;

to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.

And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

God makes covenants with humans (Noah and his sons and their descendants after them)

Then God spoke to Noah

God speaks to humans (Noah and his sons)

Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it on both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. So he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;

A servant of servants

He shall be to his brothers.”

He also said,

“Blessed be the LORD,

The God of Shem;

And may Canaan be his servant.

“May God enlarge Japheth,

And may he live in the tents of Shem;

And may Canaan be his servant.”

Noah got drunk.
Noah’s one son (Ham; whose son was Canaan) dishonored his naked dad and showed his nakedness to his brothers, which led Noah to anger and cursing him.

Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I have given everything to you, as I gave the green plant.

As for you, be fruitful and multiply;

Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it

Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself am establishing My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, every animal of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be eliminated by the waters of a flood, nor shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I make a cloud appear over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the rainbow is in the cloud, then I will look at it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

Only the males: Noah and his sons are given the blessing? And asked to be fruitful and multiply. (No mention of dominion as in Genesis for both genders)
God made his covenant with only the males (Noah and his sons?)

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I have given everything to you, as I gave the green plant. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

God blesses. God allows humans to eat not only plants but also every animal, bird or fish.
The New Revised Standard Version The Covenant with Noah

God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth

The New Revised Standard Version The Covenant with Noah

And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it.”

Noah’s wife and daughters-in-law are not mentioned here, nor are they given the mandate from God to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” ??????
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Promise to Noah

humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth;

Humankind (both man and woman) are evil from youth
The New Revised Standard Version God’s Promise to Noah

And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.

He promises to never again curse the ground because of humans, even though he knows that humans are evil from youth. He promises to never again destroy every living creature as he did with the Flood.

In the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry

Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred fifty days.

I’m not sure if this passage/story is mis-taught but I found it very interesting to see how much detail was in the passage that is not usually talked about.
The length of time between the first rain and dry land for Noah’s Ark.
Noah was 600 years, 2 months, and 17 days when the rain started.
Noah was 601 years, 2 months, and 27 days when the earth was dry.
This equals 1 year and 10 days.
But it says that the actual rain only fell for 40 days and 40 nights…. and that the waters sweeled for 150 days. It sounds like the rest of the time was how long it took for the water to go down/absorb (?).
Jesse wonders if my math is accurate due to them not using the Gregorian calendar in early history.

And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained

The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

a wind from God swept over the face of the waters

God is in charge of the waters and wind

But God remembered Noah

God remembers

Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth

And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.

7 pairs of each clean animal type
+
1 pair of these same animal types that are unclean
+7 pairs of each bird type (no specification if it they are clean or not)
…. they come “out of the ark by families” (Gen 8:19, NRSV)

Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth.

Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.

Animals in the ark were in pairs/mates (Like Marriage?)
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.

God made both man and woman clothing/garments
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

The man named his wife Eve

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.

The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

this one shall be called Woman,

for out of Man this one was taken.”

Eve was (interestingly) not named until AFTER the entire situation of sin.

Now the man had relations with his wife Eve,

Have relations; make love; lay with; knew
The New Revised Standard Version Adam’s Descendants to Noah and His Sons

When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth

Eve is not named here as the world is being populated

And Noah with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.

and all your household,

On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark,

Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark.

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark.

Un-named women who experienced Noah’s Ark (preparations, loading, and life on the Ark during the flood)
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

And to the man he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife,

and have eaten of the tree

about which I commanded you,

‘You shall not eat of it,’

cursed is the ground because of you;

in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

and you shall eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread

until you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken;

you are dust,

and to dust you shall return

Prophecy/curse to the man
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

To the woman he said,

“I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing;

in pain you shall bring forth children,

yet your desire shall be for your husband,

and he shall rule over you.”

Prophecy/curse to the woman
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

The LORD God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

cursed are you among all animals

and among all wild creatures;

upon your belly you shall go,

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike your head,

and you will strike his heel

Prophecy/curse of the serpeant
The New Revised Standard Version Adam’s Descendants to Noah and His Sons

he named him Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands

Prophecy of what Noah would do for humankind. (Not reverse but lessen the curse on men)
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.

Salvation.
God’s response to the “original sin” is a form of salvation (not eternal but saves their earthly lives) This is the first (?) time in history when God revealed his pattern (Give life, abhor sin, ability and desire to destroy sinful life, and provide a way out - salvation - for the righteous)
Their earthly lives were spared.

And the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Salvation.
Cain murdered his brother.
God’s response is a form of salvation (not eternal but saves his earthly life)
The story of Cain and Abel is a time in early history when God revealed his pattern (Give life, abhor sin, ability and desire to destroy sinful life, and provide a way out - salvation - for the righteous)
Cain’s life was spared.

And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Salvation.
Noah’s ark was a time in early history when God revealed his pattern (Give life, abhor sin, ability and desire to destroy sinful life, and provide a way out - salvation - for the righteous)
Humans were saved from destruction and judgment by God as a result of sin.

And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth

God is angered by sin and can take action to destroy.

The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and

Humans (men and women) are filled with violence and cause the end of humanity via “Noah’s Ark”

My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.”

Humans lost the presence of God’s Spirit and were limited in their years of life.

they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose

Negatively worded: Women could be taken “whomever” the sons of God chose.
(Note: The takers were not human men but this is an example of a precedent in the original thinking of the world that women could be taken. No mention of these females having any choice. They were taken because of their beauty).
Females are daughters
Females are wives

And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. As for you, take for yourself some of every food that is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and them.” So Noah did these things; according to everything that God had commanded him, so he did

Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.

The New Revised Standard Version God’s Covenant with Abram

He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

God can be specific. He does ask humans to do specific things. This passage describes what God asked of Noah as a “command.” (I’m curious if the word command meant something different to Noah? Today we hear it like a boss or parent and we bristle. However it sounds like the command Noah received might have been welcome and felt like a blessing to him and his family?)

But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.

God makes covenants with humans. (In his goodness)

Now behold, I Myself am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which there is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish.

And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth

God does get angry at sin and can take action that takes away life.

This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits

God can be very specific.

Then God said to Noah, “The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch.

Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.

For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.

God speaks to humans
God can tell humans things before they happen.

Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.

Both men and women sinned and corrupted the world

And Noah fathered three sons

No mention of the mother; Noah fathered these sons.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Humans can find favor in God’s eye for their righteousness and in walking with God.

Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them

God does get angry and have a desire to abolish evil/wickedness.

So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

God grieves wickedness and sin

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.

Mankind is both men and women, and both were found to be wicked in God’s eyes.

Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown

Might men = an attribute that “traditional” or “conservative” Christians claim is a manly trait of godly men.
“Mighty men”
“Heroes”
“Warriors”
“Men of Renown”
This verse is not about human men, though, or perhaps it is about half sons of God and half human based on their parents (son of God + human woman)?

when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them

Child-bearing
God has a Spirit; or God is a Spirit

the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose

The first mention of women being beautiful; perhaps a hint that the sons of God were tempted by their beauty even though it seems God did not want them to marry humans?
The New Revised Standard Version The Wickedness of Humankind

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground

People/ Humankind is both genders populated the land

and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,

God desires our first fruits (firstlings)
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

To the woman he said,

“I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing;

in pain you shall bring forth children,

yet your desire shall be for your husband,

and he shall rule over you.

Result of Sin, Not original design of God.
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

God created both genders equally (in his image AND with dominion)
The New Revised Standard Version Beginnings of Civilization

Naamah

Naamah
The New Revised Standard Version Beginnings of Civilization

Zillah

Zillah
The New Revised Standard Version Beginnings of Civilization

Adah

Adah
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Eve

Eve

Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

Cain lied that he did not know where his brother was

Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him

you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.

Cain murdered his brother Abel

but for Cain and his offering he had no regard

God did not accept Cain’s offering
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

cursed is the ground because of you;

in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

and you shall eat the plants of the field

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

until you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken;

you are dust,

and to dust you shall return

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life

Adam ate fruit forbidden resulting in curses
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

she took of its fruit and ate

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike your head,

and you will strike his heel

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

increase your pangs in childbearing;

in pain you shall bring forth children

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

your desire shall be for your husband

The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

he shall rule over you

Eve ate the fruit and it’s resulting in curses.
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Serpent/Eve/Apple
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed

Nakedness and no shame
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Marriage: one man and one woman become one flesh.
Marriage: This new relationship takes the place of the family life you had with your mother and father.

Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain

The New Revised Standard Version Beginnings of Civilization

Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch

Conceives and bears children
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living

Eve is mother of all the living
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh

Same bones and flesh (Adam and Eve)
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man

Eve created from Adam’s rib
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner

The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth

The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth

The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

God blessed them

The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

So God created humankind in his image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them

The New Revised Standard Version Adam’s Descendants to Noah and His Sons

and he blessed them and named them “Humankind”

The New Revised Standard Version Adam’s Descendants to Noah and His Sons

When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them

God created both genders in his image/likeness
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness

God created both genders in his image/likeness

Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him.

God cares for sinful humans. (Here: even a murderer)
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die

God gives rules to man.
The New Revised Standard Version Another Account of the Creation

then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being

God gives life to man

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation

God works and he rests.
The New Revised Standard Version The First Sin and Its Punishment

like one of us

Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech

God is an “us” (trinity)
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Let us

God is an “us” (trinity)
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth

God sets rulers over parts of his creation
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.

God sets rulers over parts of his creation
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

to rule over the day and over the night

God sets rulers over parts of his creation
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars

God sets rulers over parts of his creation
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth

God creates life that begets other life
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it

God creates life that begets other life
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

light

God creates light
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

created

God is creator
The New Revised Standard Version Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

In the beginning when God created

God existed prior to any other of his creation
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