Chaii Sarah, "The Life of Sarah".
This weeks portion is called Chaii Sarah literally the life of Sarah
or the life-span of Sarah translated in the first verse as "Sarah was" (127 years old etc).
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[Genesis 23:1] AND SARAH WAS AN HUNDRED AND SEVEN AND TWENTY YEARS OLD: THESE WERE THE YEARS OF THE LIFE OF SARAH.
[Genesis 23:2] AND SARAH DIED IN KIRJATHARBA; THE SAME IS HEBRON IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: AND ABRAHAM CAME TO MOURN FOR SARAH, AND TO WEEP FOR HER.
KIRJATHARBA in modern Hebrew Kiryat Arba. This name has been given to a small Jewish city (ca. 8000 inhabitants) just outside of Hebron and within walking distance of it. Both Kiryat Arba and Hebron are important in the history of Brit-Am as discussed elsewhere.
The Sambation River was one of the Places of Exile to which the Lost Ten tribes were taken.
The Sambation River historically speaking was first the Zab River in Northern Mesopotamia and after that the Don River in Southern Russia. Both rivers were connected with the Lost Ten Tribes and we have discussed their significance in the book Ephraim. According to the book "Sefer Hebron" (Hebrew-language) the Jews of Hebron a few hundred years ago had the idea that the Sambation River and the Lost Ten Tribes were just over the hill from them. Yair Davidiy did much of his research concerning the Ten Tribes while living in Kiryat Arba. He received strengthening and inspiration through praying at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
The name "Hebron" is derived from the root "cheber" or "heber" and means union.
There is some connection with the Ten Tribes.
The Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and Matriarchs (Sarah, Ebecca, Leah) are buried underneath the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
David ruled over Judah in Hebron for seven years before being acknowledged as ruler over all Israel.
[Genesis 23:3] AND ABRAHAM STOOD UP FROM BEFORE HIS DEAD, AND SPAKE UNTO THE SONS OF HETH, SAYING,
[Genesis 23:4] I AM A STRANGER AND A SOJOURNER WITH YOU: GIVE ME A POSSESSION OF A BURYING PLACE WITH YOU, THAT I MAY BURY MY DEAD OUT OF MY SIGHT.
[Genesis 23:5] AND THE CHILDREN OF HETH ANSWERED ABRAHAM, SAYING UNTO HIM,
[Genesis 23:6] HEAR US, MY LORD: THOU ART A MIGHTY PRINCE AMONG US: IN THE CHOICE OF OUR SEPULCHRES BURY THY DEAD; NONE OF US SHALL WITHHOLD FROM THEE HIS SEPULCHRE, BUT THAT THOU MAYEST BURY THY DEAD.
[Genesis 23:7] AND ABRAHAM STOOD UP, AND BOWED HIMSELF TO THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND, EVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF HETH.
[Genesis 23:8] AND HE COMMUNED WITH THEM, SAYING, IF IT BE YOUR MIND THAT I SHOULD BURY MY DEAD OUT OF MY SIGHT; HEAR ME, AND INTREAT FOR ME TO EPHRON THE SON OF ZOHAR,
[Genesis 23:9] THAT HE MAY GIVE ME THE CAVE OF MACHPELAH, WHICH HE HATH, WHICH IS IN THE END OF HIS FIELD; FOR AS MUCH MONEY AS IT IS WORTH HE SHALL GIVE IT ME FOR A POSSESSION OF A BURYINGPLACE AMONGST YOU.
[Genesis 23:10] AND EPHRON DWELT AMONG THE CHILDREN OF HETH: AND EPHRON THE HITTITE ANSWERED ABRAHAM IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE CHILDREN OF HETH, EVEN OF ALL THAT WENT IN AT THE GATE OF HIS CITY, SAYING,
[Genesis 23:11] NAY, MY LORD, HEAR ME: THE FIELD GIVE I THEE, AND THE CAVE THAT IS THEREIN, I GIVE IT THEE; IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SONS OF MY PEOPLE GIVE I IT THEE: BURY THY DEAD.
[Genesis 23:12] AND ABRAHAM BOWED DOWN HIMSELF BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND.
[Genesis 23:13] AND HE SPAKE UNTO EPHRON IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND, SAYING, BUT IF THOU WILT GIVE IT, I PRAY THEE, HEAR ME: I WILL GIVE THEE MONEY FOR THE FIELD; TAKE IT OF ME, AND I WILL BURY MY DEAD THERE.
[Genesis 23:14] AND EPHRON ANSWERED ABRAHAM, SAYING UNTO HIM,
[Genesis 23:15] MY LORD, HEARKEN UNTO ME: THE LAND IS WORTH FOUR HUNDRED SHEKELS OF SILVER; WHAT IS THAT BETWIXT THEE AND ME? BURY THEREFORE THY DEAD.
[Genesis 23:16] AND ABRAHAM HEARKENED UNTO EPHRON; AND ABRAHAM WEIGHED TO EPHRON THE SILVER, WHICH HE HAD NAMED IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE SONS OF HETH, FOUR HUNDRED SHEKELS OF SILVER, CURRENT MONEY WITH THE MERCHANT.
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[Genesis 23:17] AND THE FIELD OF EPHRON WHICH WAS IN MACHPELAH, WHICH WAS BEFORE MAMRE, THE FIELD, AND THE CAVE WHICH WAS THEREIN, AND ALL THE TREES THAT WERE IN THE FIELD, THAT WERE IN ALL THE BORDERS ROUND ABOUT, WERE MADE SURE
[Genesis 23:18] UNTO ABRAHAM FOR A POSSESSION IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CHILDREN OF HETH, BEFORE ALL THAT WENT IN AT THE GATE OF HIS CITY.
[Genesis 23:19] AND AFTER THIS, ABRAHAM BURIED SARAH HIS WIFE IN THE CAVE OF THE FIELD OF MACHPELAH BEFORE MAMRE: THE SAME IS HEBRON IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.
[Genesis 23:20] AND THE FIELD, AND THE CAVE THAT IS THEREIN, WERE MADE SURE UNTO ABRAHAM FOR A POSSESSION OF A BURYINGPLACE BY THE SONS OF HETH.
[Genesis 24:1] AND ABRAHAM WAS OLD, AND WELL STRICKEN IN AGE: AND THE LORD HAD BLESSED ABRAHAM IN ALL THINGS.
[Genesis 24:2] AND ABRAHAM SAID UNTO HIS ELDEST SERVANT OF HIS HOUSE, THAT RULED OVER ALL THAT HE HAD, PUT, I PRAY THEE, THY HAND UNDER MY THIGH:
[Genesis 24:3] AND I WILL MAKE THEE SWEAR BY THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, AND THE GOD OF THE EARTH, THAT THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE UNTO MY SON OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THECANAANITES, AMONG WHOM I DWELL:
Abraham did not want his son to intermarry with the foreigners.
[Genesis 24:4] BUT THOU SHALT GO UNTO MY COUNTRY, AND TO MY KINDRED, AND TAKE A WIFE UNTO MY SON ISAAC.
[Genesis 24:5] AND THE SERVANT SAID UNTO HIM, PERADVENTURE THE WOMAN WILL NOT BE WILLING TO FOLLOW ME UNTO THIS LAND: MUST I NEEDS BRING THY SON AGAIN UNTO THE LAND FROM WHENCE THOU CAMEST?
[Genesis 24:6] AND ABRAHAM SAID UNTO HIM, BEWARE THOU THAT THOU BRING NOT MY SON THITHER AGAIN.
[Genesis 24:7] THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN, WHICH TOOK ME FROM MY FATHER'S HOUSE, AND FROM THE LAND OF MY KINDRED, AND WHICH SPAKE UNTO ME, AND THAT SWARE UNTO ME, SAYING, UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND; HE SHALL SEND HIS ANGEL BEFORE THEE, AND THOU SHALT TAKE A WIFE UNTO MY SON FROM THENCE.
[Genesis 24:8] AND IF THE WOMAN WILL NOT BE WILLING TO FOLLOW THEE, THEN THOU SHALT BE CLEAR FROM THIS MY OATH: ONLY BRING NOT MY SON THITHER AGAIN.
He did not want his son to return to a land that was not within the span of the Promised Land. It was important to him that his sons marry someone from amongst his own kin. It was even more important that his son remain within the boundaries of the Land of Israel.
[Genesis 24:9] AND THE SERVANT PUT HIS HAND UNDER THE THIGH OF ABRAHAM HIS MASTER, AND SWARE TO HIM CONCERNING THAT MATTER.
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[Genesis 24:10] AND THE SERVANT TOOK TEN CAMELS OF THE CAMELS OF HIS MASTER, AND DEPARTED; FOR ALL THE GOODS OF HIS MASTER WERE IN HIS HAND: AND HE AROSE, AND WENT TO MESOPOTAMIA, UNTO THE CITY OF NAHOR.
[Genesis 24:11] AND HE MADE HIS CAMELS TO KNEEL DOWN WITHOUT THE CITY BY A WELL OF WATER AT THE TIME OF THE EVENING, EVEN THE TIME THAT WOMEN GO OUT TO DRAW WATER.
[Genesis 24:12] AND HE SAID O LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, I PRAY THEE, SEND ME GOOD SPEED THIS DAY, AND SHEW KINDNESS UNTO MY MASTER ABRAHAM.
[Genesis 24:13] BEHOLD, I STAND HERE BY THE WELL OF WATER; AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE MEN OF THE CITY COME OUT TO DRAW WATER:
[Genesis 24:14] AND LET IT COME TO PASS, THAT THE DAMSEL TO WHOM I SHALL SAY, LET DOWN THY PITCHER, I PRAY THEE, THAT I MAY DRINK; AND SHE SHALL SAY, DRINK, AND I WILL GIVE THY CAMELS DRINK ALSO: LET THE SAME BE SHE THAT THOU HAST APPOINTED FOR THY SERVANT ISAAC; AND THEREBY SHALL I KNOW THAT THOU HAST SHEWED KINDNESS UNTO MY MASTER.
[Genesis 24:15] AND IT CAME TO PASS, BEFORE HE HAD DONE SPEAKING, THAT, BEHOLD, REBEKAH CAME OUT, WHO WAS BORN TO BETHUEL, SON OF MILCAH, THE WIFE OF NAHOR, ABRAHAM'S BROTHER, WITH HER PITCHER UPON HER SHOULDER.
[Genesis 24:16] AND THE DAMSEL WAS VERY FAIR TO LOOK UPON, A VIRGIN, NEITHER HAD ANY MAN KNOWN HER: AND SHE WENT DOWN TO THE WELL, AND FILLED HER PITCHER, AND CAME UP.
[Genesis 24:17] AND THE SERVANT RAN TO MEET HER, AND SAID, LET ME, I PRAY THEE, DRINK A LITTLE WATER OF THY PITCHER.
[Genesis 24:18] AND SHE SAID, DRINK, MY LORD: AND SHE HASTED, AND LET DOWN HER PITCHER UPON HER HAND, AND GAVE HIM DRINK.
[Genesis 24:19] AND WHEN SHE HAD DONE GIVING HIM DRINK, SHE SAID, I WILL DRAW WATER FOR THY CAMELS ALSO, UNTIL THEY HAVE DONE DRINKING.
[Genesis 24:20] AND SHE HASTED, AND EMPTIED HER PITCHER INTO THE TROUGH, AND RAN AGAIN UNTO THE WELL TO DRAW WATER, AND DREW FOR ALL HIS CAMELS.
[Genesis 24:21] AND THE MAN HAD MADE HIS JOURNEY PROSPEROUS OR NOT.
[Genesis 24:22] AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS THE CAMELS HAD DONE DRINKING, THAT THE MAN TOOK A GOLDEN EARRING OF HALF A SHEKEL WEIGHT, AND TWO BRACELETS FOR HER HANDS OF TEN SHEKELS WEIGHT OF GOLD;
[Genesis 24:23] AND SAID, WHOSE DAUGHTER ART THOU? TELL ME, I PRAY THEE: IS THERE ROOM IN THY FATHER'S HOUSE FOR US TO LODGE IN?
[Genesis 24:24] AND SHE SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE DAUGHTER OF BETHUEL THE SON OF MILCAH, WHICH SHE BARE UNTO NAHOR.
[Genesis 24:25] SHE SAID MOREOVER UNTO HIM, WE HAVE BOTH STRAW AND PROVENDER ENOUGH, AND ROOM TO LODGE IN.
[Genesis 24:26] AND THE MAN BOWED DOWN HIS HEAD, AND WORSHIPPED THE LORD.
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[Genesis 24:27] AND HE SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, WHO HATH NOT LEFT DESTITUTE MY MASTER OF HIS MERCY AND HIS TRUTH: I BEING IN THE WAY, THE LORD LED ME TO THE HOUSE OF MY MASTER'S BRETHREN.
[Genesis 24:28] AND THE DAMSEL RAN, AND TOLD THEM OF HER MOTHER'S HOUSE THESE THINGS.
[Genesis 24:29] AND REBEKAH HAD A BROTHER, AND HIS NAME WAS LABAN: AND LABAN RAN OUT UNTO THE MAN, UNTO THE WELL.
"LABAN" in Hebrew means "white", perhaps he was blond or albinoid?
[Genesis 24:30] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HE SAW THE EARRING AND BRACELETS UPON HIS SISTERS HANDS, AND WHEN HE HEARD THE WORDS OF REBEKAH HIS SISTER, SAYING, THUS SPAKE THE MAN UNTO ME; THAT HE CAME UNTO THE MAN; AND, BEHOLD, HE STOOD BY THE CAMELS AT THE WELL.
[Genesis 24:31] AND HE SAID, COME IN, THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD; WHEREFORE STANDEST THOU WITHOUT? FOR I HAVE PREPARED THE HOUSE, AND ROOM FOR THE CAMELS.
[Genesis 24:32] AND THE MAN CAME INTO THE HOUSE: AND HE UNGIRDED HIS CAMELS, AND GAVE STRAW AND PROVENDER FOR THE CAMELS, AND WATER TO WASH HIS FEET, AND THE MEN'S FEET THAT WERE WITH HIM.
[Genesis 24:33] AND THERE WAS SET MEAT BEFORE HIM TO EAT: BUT HE SAID, I WILL NOT EAT, UNTIL I HAVE TOLD MINE ERRAND. AND HE SAID, SPEAK ON.
[Genesis 24:34] AND HE SAID, I AM ABRAHAM'S SERVANT.
[Genesis 24:35] AND THE LORD HATH BLESSED MY MASTER GREATLY; AND HE IS BECOME GREAT: AND HE HATH GIVEN HIM FLOCKS, AND HERDS, AND SILVER, AND GOLD, AND MENSERVANTS, AND MAIDSERVANTS, AND CAMELS, AND ASSES.
[Genesis 24:36] AND SARAH MY MASTER'S WIFE BARE A SON TO MY MASTER WHEN SHE WAS OLD: AND UNTO HIM HATH HE GIVEN ALL THAT HE HATH.
[Genesis 24:37] AND MY MASTER MADE ME SWEAR, SAYING, THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE TO MY SON OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE CANAANITES, IN WHOSE LAND I DWELL:
[Genesis 24:38] BUT THOU SHALT GO UNTO MY FATHER'S HOUSE, AND TO MY KINDRED, AND TAKE A WIFE UNTO MY SON.
[Genesis 24:39] AND I SAID UNTO MY MASTER, PERADVENTURE THE WOMAN WILL NOT FOLLOW ME.
[Genesis 24:40] AND HE SAID UNTO ME, THE LORD, BEFORE WHOM I WALK, WILL SEND HIS ANGEL WITH THEE, AND PROSPER THY WAY; AND THOU SHALT TAKE A WIFE FOR MY SON OF MY KINDRED, AND OF MY FATHER'S HOUSE:
[Genesis 24:41] THEN SHALT THOU BE CLEAR FROM THIS MY OATH, WHEN THOU COMEST TO MY KINDRED; AND IF THEY GIVE NOT THEE ONE, THOU SHALT BE CLEAR FROM MY OATH.
[Genesis 24:42] AND I CAME THIS DAY UNTO THE WELL, AND SAID, O LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, IF NOW THOU DO PROSPER MY WAY WHICH I GO:
[Genesis 24:43] BEHOLD, I STAND BY THE WELL OF WATER; AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT WHEN THE VIRGIN COMETH FORTH TO DRAW WATER, AND I SAY TO HER, GIVE ME, I PRAY THEE, A LITTLE WATER OF THY PITCHER TO DRINK;
[Genesis 24:44] AND SHE SAY TO ME, BOTH DRINK THOU, AND I WILL ALSO DRAW FOR THY CAMELS: LET THE SAME BE THE WOMAN WHOM THE LORD HATH APPOINTED OUT FOR MY MASTER'S SON.
<<I WILL ALSO DRAW FOR THY CAMELS>>: From this incident popular tradition said that kindness to animals was a trait to look for when seeking a bride. It does show consideration. She was asked to do a kindness, started thinking who else needs assistance and went beyond what was requested.
The women in Scripture come across as perhaps subservient to their menfolk but nevertheless very independently-minded and resourceful feminine role-models.
The ideal woman in the Book of Proverbs runs her household like an efficient enterprise, has a home-based industrial indertaking that succeeds, invests in a vineyard and works it for the economic benefit of her family which she is in charge of. Through her (it is implied) her husband is enabled to count himself amongst the leaders of the city. This is quite an achiever. She is also a good-hearted person who speaks words of kindness. She gives charity and endeavors to provide for her family and for her maidservants whose welfare she is concerned to ensure. This is a person who tries to fulfill her potential. This is not someone who needs "liberation".
[Proverbs 31:10] WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN? FOR HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.
[Proverbs 31:11] THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND DOTH SAFELY TRUST IN HER, SO THAT HE SHALL HAVE NO NEED OF SPOIL.
[Proverbs 31:12] SHE WILL DO HIM GOOD AND NOT EVIL ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE.
[Proverbs 31:13] SHE SEEKETH WOOL, AND FLAX, AND WORKETH WILLINGLY WITH HER HANDS.
[Proverbs 31:14] SHE IS LIKE THE MERCHANTS' SHIPS; SHE BRINGETH HER FOOD FROM AFAR.
[Proverbs 31:15] SHE RISETH ALSO WHILE IT IS YET NIGHT, AND GIVETH MEAT TO HER HOUSEHOLD, AND A PORTION TO HER MAIDENS.
[Proverbs 31:16] SHE CONSIDERETH A FIELD, AND BUYETH IT: WITH THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS SHE PLANTETH A VINEYARD.
[Proverbs 31:17] SHE GIRDETH HER LOINS WITH STRENGTH, AND STRENGTHENETH HER ARMS.
[Proverbs 31:18] SHE PERCEIVETH THAT HER MERCHANDISE IS GOOD: HER CANDLE GOETH NOT OUT BY NIGHT.
[Proverbs 31:19] SHE LAYETH HER HANDS TO THE SPINDLE, AND HER HANDS HOLD THE DISTAFF.
[Proverbs 31:20] SHE STRETCHETH OUT HER HAND TO THE POOR; YEA, SHE REACHETH FORTH HER HANDS TO THE NEEDY.
[Proverbs 31:21] SHE IS NOT AFRAID OF THE SNOW FOR HER HOUSEHOLD: FOR ALL HER HOUSEHOLD ARE CLOTHED WITH SCARLET.
[Proverbs 31:22] SHE MAKETH HERSELF COVERINGS OF TAPESTRY; HER CLOTHING IS SILK AND PURPLE.
[Proverbs 31:23] HER HUSBAND IS KNOWN IN THE GATES, WHEN HE SITTETH AMONG THE ELDERS OF THE LAND.
[Proverbs 31:24] SHE MAKETH FINE LINEN, AND SELLETH IT; AND DELIVERETH GIRDLES UNTO THE MERCHANT.
[Proverbs 31:25] STRENGTH AND HONOUR ARE HER CLOTHING; AND SHE SHALL REJOICE IN TIME TO COME.
[Proverbs 31:26] SHE OPENETH HER MOUTH WITH WISDOM; AND IN HER TONGUE IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS.
[Proverbs 31:27] SHE LOOKETH WELL TO THE WAYS OF HER HOUSEHOLD, AND EATETH NOT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS.
[Proverbs 31:28] HER CHILDREN ARISE UP, AND CALL HER BLESSED; HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISETH HER.
[Proverbs 31:29] MANY DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE VIRTUOUSLY, BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL.
[Proverbs 31:30] FAVOUR IS DECEITFUL, AND BEAUTY IS VAIN: BUT A WOMAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD, SHE SHALL BE PRAISED.
[Proverbs 31:31] GIVE HER OF THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS; AND LET HER OWN WORKS PRAISE HER IN THE GATES
Eliezer goes on:
[Genesis 24:45] AND BEFORE I HAD DONE SPEAKING IN MINE HEART, BEHOLD, REBEKAH CAME FORTH WITH HER PITCHER ON HER SHOULDER; AND SHE WENT DOWN UNTO THE WELL, AND DREW WATER: AND I SAID UNTO HER, LET ME DRINK, I PRAY THEE.
[Genesis 24:46] AND SHE MADE HASTE, AND LET DOWN HER PITCHER FROM HER SHOULDER, AND SAID, DRINK, AND I WILL GIVE THY CAMELS DRINK ALSO: SO I DRANK, AND SHE MADE THE CAMELS DRINK ALSO.
[Genesis 24:47] AND I ASKED HER, AND SAID, WHOSE DAUGHTER ART THOU? AND SHE SAID, THE DAUGHTER OF BETHUEL, NAHOR'S SON, WHOM MILCAH BARE UNTO HIM: AND I PUT THE EARRING UPON HER FACE, AND THE BRACELETS UPON HER HANDS.
[Genesis 24:48] AND I BOWED DOWN MY HEAD, AND WORSHIPPED THE LORD, AND BLESSED THE LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, WHICH HAD LED ME IN THE RIGHT WAY TO TAKE MY MASTER'S BROTHER'S DAUGHTER UNTO HIS SON.
[Genesis 24:49] AND NOW IF YE WILL DEAL KINDLY AND TRULY WITH MY MASTER, TELL ME: AND IF NOT, TELL ME; THAT I MAY TURN TO THE RIGHT HAND, OR TO THE LEFT.
There is something to be learnt here. Eliezer had met Rebecca (Rivka) through what was obviously Open Divine Providence in immediate answer to prayer. If however his undertaking had have met with refusal or reluctance he was prepared to go straight
away on his way.
[Genesis 24:50] THEN LABAN AND BETHUEL ANSWERED AND SAID, THE THING PROCEEDETH FROM THE LORD: WE CANNOT SPEAK UNTO THEE BAD OR GOOD.
<<THE THING PROCEEDETH FROM THE LORD>>: From this we see that a person's spouse is from heaven nevertheless we must do our utmost to meet whoever is destined for us.
[Genesis 24:51] BEHOLD, REBEKAH IS BEFORE THEE, TAKE HER, AND GO, AND LET HER BE THY MASTER'S SON'S WIFE, AS THE LORD HATH SPOKEN.
[Genesis 24:52] AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT, WHEN ABRAHAM'S SERVANT HEARD THEIR WORDS, HE WORSHIPPED THE LORD, BOWING HIMSELF TO THE EARTH.
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[Genesis 24:53] AND THE SERVANT BROUGHT FORTH JEWELS OF SILVER, AND JEWELS OF GOLD, AND RAIMENT, AND GAVE THEM TO REBEKAH: HE GAVE ALSO TO HER BROTHER AND TO HER MOTHER PRECIOUS THINGS.
[Genesis 24:54] AND THEY DID EAT AND DRINK, HE AND THE MEN THAT WERE WITH HIM, AND TARRIED ALL NIGHT; AND THEY ROSE UP IN THE MORNING, AND HE SAID, SEND ME AWAY UNTO MY MASTER.
[Genesis 24:55] AND HER BROTHER AND HER MOTHER SAID, LET THE DAMSEL ABIDE WITH US A FEW DAYS, AT THE LEAST TEN; AFTER THAT SHE SHALL GO.
[Genesis 24:56] AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, HINDER ME NOT, SEEING THE LORD HATH PROSPERED MY WAY; SEND ME AWAY THAT I MAY GO TO MY MASTER.
[Genesis 24:57] AND THEY SAID, WE WILL CALL THE DAMSEL, AND ENQUIRE AT HER MOUTH.
[Genesis 24:58] AND THEY CALLED REBEKAH, AND SAID UNTO HER, WILT THOU GO WITH THIS MAN? AND SHE SAID, I WILL GO.
[Genesis 24:59] AND THEY SENT AWAY REBEKAH THEIR SISTER, AND HER NURSE, AND ABRAHAM'S SERVANT, AND HIS MEN.
[Genesis 24:60] AND THEY BLESSED REBEKAH, AND SAID UNTO HER, THOU ART OUR SISTER, BE THOU THE MOTHER OF THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS, AND LET THY SEED POSSESS THE GATE OF THOSE WHICH HATE THEM. "THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS": In Hebrew "alfei revavah" or thousands of ten thousands i.e. tens of millions according to the simple understanding of the language as now employed BUT it could also be construed as meaning many many more as the KJ has done. Other blessings speak of the seed of Israel becoming as the sand of the sea and as the stars in heaven for multitude.
Very very many people, extremely numerous as explained in Brit-Am Proof.
LET THY SEED POSSESS THE GATE OF THOSE WHICH HATE THEM:
We have gone through this elsewhere. It means strategic thoroughfares such as Panama, Gibraltar, Falklands, Suez, Malta, etc. Even now the USA has numerous overseas bases strategically located that it can employ to penetrate the territory of potential enemies. Even the Space Program to a degree serves the same purpose.
This practice of acquiring GATES of potential adversaries THOSE WHICH HATE THEM was always a fundamental pillar of American and British foreign and military policy. It was unique to them and they succeeded in it.
According to the blessings as given in the Book of Genesis on the straight-forward literal level Britain and America MUST comprise the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.
[Genesis 24:61] AND REBEKAH AROSE, AND HER DAMSELS, AND THEY RODE UPON THE CAMELS, AND FOLLOWED THE MAN: AND THE SERVANT TOOK REBEKAH, AND WENT HIS WAY.
[Genesis 24:62] AND ISAAC CAME FROM THE WAY OF THE WELL LAHAIROI; FOR HE DWELT IN THE SOUTH COUNTRY.
[Genesis 24:63] AND ISAAC WENT OUT TO MEDITATE IN THE FIELD AT THE EVENTIDE: AND HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND SAW, AND, BEHOLD, THE CAMELS WERE COMING.
<<WENT OUT TO MEDITATE IN THE FIELD>>: His whole life, meditating, praying, like something that is taken for granted that everybody should do. He was also an owner of livestock and an employer of numerous servants and had the status of a wandering Tribal Prince respected by local rulers who made compacts with him.
[Genesis 24:64] AND REBEKAH LIFTED UP HER EYES, AND WHEN SHE SAW ISAAC, SHE LIGHTED OFF THE CAMEL.
[Genesis 24:65] FOR SHE HAD SAID UNTO THE SERVANT, WHAT MAN IS THIS THAT WALKETH IN THE FIELD TO MEET US? AND THE SERVANT HAD SAID, IT IS MY MASTER: THEREFORE SHE TOOK A VAIL, AND COVERED HERSELF.
[Genesis 24:66] AND THE SERVANT TOLD ISAAC ALL THINGS THAT HE HAD DONE.
[Genesis 24:67] AND ISAAC BROUGHT HER INTO HIS MOTHER SARAH'S TENT, AND TOOK REBEKAH, AND SHE BECAME HIS WIFE; AND HE LOVED HER: AND ISAAC WAS COMFORTED AFTER HIS MOTHER'S DEATH.
A mans wife should comfort him from the tribulations of existence. He should endeavor to find comfort in her.
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[Genesis 25:1] THEN AGAIN ABRAHAM TOOK A WIFE, AND HER NAME WAS KETURAH.
[Genesis 25:2] AND SHE BARE HIM ZIMRAN, AND JOKSHAN, AND MEDAN, AND MIDIAN, AND ISHBAK, AND SHUAH.
[Genesis 25:3] AND JOKSHAN BEGAT SHEBA, AND DEDAN. AND THE SONS OF DEDAN WERE ASSHURIM, AND LETUSHIM, AND LEUMMIM.
[Genesis 25:4] AND THE SONS OF MIDIAN; EPHAH, AND EPHER, AND HANOCH, AND ABIDAH, AND ELDAAH. ALL THESE WERE THE CHILDREN OF KETURAH.
[Genesis 25:5] AND ABRAHAM GAVE ALL THAT HE HAD UNTO ISAAC.
[Genesis 25:6] BUT UNTO THE SONS OF THE CONCUBINES, WHICH ABRAHAM HAD, ABRAHAM GAVE GIFTS, AND SENT THEM AWAY FROM ISAAC HIS SON, WHILE HE YET LIVED, EASTWARD, UNTO THE EAST COUNTRY.
[Genesis 25:7] AND THESE ARE THE DAYS OF THE YEARS OF ABRAHAM'S LIFE WHICH HE LIVED, AN HUNDRED THREESCORE AND FIFTEEN YEARS.
[Genesis 25:8] THEN ABRAHAM GAVE UP THE GHOST, AND DIED IN A GOOD OLD AGE, AN OLD MAN, AND FULL OF YEARS; AND WAS GATHERED TO HIS PEOPLE.
[Genesis 25:9] AND HIS SONS ISAAC AND ISHMAEL BURIED HIM IN THE CAVE OF MACHPELAH, IN THE FIELD OF EPHRON THE SON OF ZOHAR THE HITTITE, WHICH IS BEFORE MAMRE;
[Genesis 25:10] THE FIELD WHICH ABRAHAM PURCHASED OF THE SONS OF HETH: THERE WAS ABRAHAM BURIED, AND SARAH HIS WIFE.
[Genesis 25:11] AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM, THAT GOD BLESSED HIS SON ISAAC; AND ISAAC DWELT BY THE WELL LAHAIROI.
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[Genesis 25:12] NOW THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS OF ISHMAEL, ABRAHAM'S SON, WHOM HAGAR THE EGYPTIAN, SARAH'S HANDMAID, BARE UNTO ABRAHAM:
[Genesis 25:13] AND THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SONS OF ISHMAEL, BY THEIR NAMES, ACCORDING TO THEIR GENERATIONS: THE FIRSTBORN OF ISHMAEL, NEBAJOTH; AND KEDAR, AND ADBEEL, AND MIBSAM,
[Genesis 25:14] AND MISHMA, AND DUMAH, AND MASSA,
[Genesis 25:15] HADAR, AND TEMA, JETUR, NAPHISH, AND KEDEMAH:
[Genesis 25:16] THESE ARE THE SONS OF ISHMAEL, AND THESE ARE THEIR NAMES, BY THEIR TOWNS, AND BY THEIR CASTLES; TWELVE PRINCES ACCORDING TO THEIR NATIONS.
[Genesis 25:17] AND THESE ARE THE YEARS OF THE LIFE OF ISHMAEL, AN HUNDRED AND THIRTY AND SEVEN YEARS: AND HE GAVE UP THE GHOST AND DIED; AND WAS GATHERED UNTO HIS PEOPLE.
[Genesis 25:18] AND THEY DWELT FROM HAVILAH UNTO SHUR, THAT IS BEFORE EGYPT, AS THOU GOEST TOWARD ASSYRIA: AND HE DIED IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS BRETHREN.