A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 106. Of Jacob and Esau's name, relation, and different blessing.

THe parties blessed, are set down by name, Iacob and Esau.

The name a 1.1 Iacob is derived from a noun that signifieth an b 1.2 Heel: He was so called, because, in coming out of the womb, he held his Brother by the heel, Gen. 25. 26.

The verb whence that noun is derived signifieth to c 1.3 Supplant, or to trip down, which is oft done with the heel; hereupon this notation of Iacobs name is confirmed, by these words of his brother, Is he not rightly called Iacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times, &c. Gen. 27. 36. So as this name Iacob signifieth a Supplanter.

Two notations are given of * 1.4 Esaus name, one is taken from an Hebrew word that signifieth d 1.5 Haire or Hairy. In this notation, there is a transmuta∣tion of the two first letters, and a taking away of the last letter. It is said that Esau was an Hairy man, Gen. 27. 11. and thereupon this notation of his name is given. The other notation is taken from an Hebrew verb, which signifieth to e 1.6 Make, and they say that he was called Esau, because he came out of the womb, as a full made man, or as a grown man, full of hairs on his body. Hee was also called Edom f 1.7, which signifieth g 1.8 red, Gen, 25. 25. And this both in allusion to the colour with which he came out of his mothers womb, and also in reference to his disposition, which was bloody and cruell. Yea also, the name Edom was given by way of derision, in reference to the colour of the broth for which he sold his birth-right, Gen. 25. 30.

Thus we see how both their names were fitted to occasions. See more hereof in Domest. duties Treat. 6. Of parents, §. 20.

These two children were brothers, coming out of the same womb. They were* 1.9 of the same father and mother; twins, and that of one birth; onely one came out before the other, namely Esau: and in that respect was counted and called the Elder, Gen. 27. 1. Thereupon the birthright belonged to him, till he sold it* 1.10 for a song (as we say) even for a mess of broth; or as the Apostle expresseth it, for one morsell of meat, in which respect he is stiled, Prophane, Heb. 12. 16.

Though Esau were the elder, yet is Iacob set before him; for he was a graci∣ous* 1.11 son, and in Gods account more honorable than his elder brother: for grace adds more honour than all outward privileges and dignities can do. Hereof, see* 1.12 more ver. 4. §. 11.

Both these sons, though they were of different dispositions, are here said to be blessed by their Father, but with different blessings. The father neither did, nor would bless the prophane son with that blessing wherewith he blessed his pious son; whereupon he saith, I have blessed him (meaning the yonger) yea, and he shall be blessed, Gen. 27. 33. But Esau was blessed with temporal blessings, Ia∣cob with temporal and spiritual also.

Thus there are blessings for all, of all sorts. Hereupon it is said, that God satis∣fieth the desire of every living thing, Psal. 145. 16. And our Heavenly Father is said to cause his Sun to rise on the evill, and on the good, Matth. 5. 45. In this respect the Living God is said to be the Saviour of all men, 1 Tim. 4. 10.

This the Lord doth, to manifest his bounty, and to try, if wicked ones may be wrought upon by mercy; and by consequence, to aggravate their just condem∣nation.

• 1. Christ teacheth us herein to set our heavenly Father before us, and to bless them that curse us, Matth. 5. 44.
• 2. This teacheth us to put difference between blessings, and not to rest upon Gods Fatherly love, in that he doth bestow temporal blessings upon us. These may be given in wrath, and taken away in wrath, as a King was given to Is∣rael, and taken away from them, Hos. 13. 11. They are spiritual blessings that are the sure evidences of Gods Fatherly favour.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 calcaneum.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Supplantavit. Jer. 9. 4.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Esau.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Pilus Isa. 7. 20.
• e 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seci•…•….
• f 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Edom.
• g 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rubuit.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Gen. 25. 31. &c.
• * 1.11

  The younger preferred.
• * 1.12

  Different bles∣sings for diffe∣rent persons.