Choice observations and explanations upon the Old Testament containing in them many remarkable matters, either not taken notice of, or mistaken by most, which are additionals to the large annotations made by some of the Assembly of Divines : to which are added some further and larger observations of his upon the whole book of Genesis perused and attested by the Reverend Bishop of Armagh, and Mr. Gataker Pastor of Rederith / by ... John Richardson ...

CHAP. XXIV.

Verse 1. WAs old] One hundred and fourty yeares old, as may be gathered out of chap. 25. 20.

V. 2. His eldest servant] Most likely his Steward E∣leezer, ch. 15. 2. And this not without Isaacs consent, he being now fourty yeares old.

thy hand under my thigh] So Jacob required of Joseph, ch. 47. 29. It is a signe of subjection, 1 Chron 29. 24. yet in Scripture the most frequent ceremony used at swearing, is the lifting up the hand, as ch. 1•• 22. Exod. 6. 8. Numb. 14. 30. Deut. 32. 40. Ezech. ••0. 15. Dan. 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5, 6. The custome of several countreys and religions hath been, and is very various for rites and gestures in this case. That Abraham by this gesture here should have any rela∣tion to the promised seed, to proceed out of his loines, is a reach, I feare, too far fetch't.

V. 3. Sweare] A thing lawful; forbidden in vain▪ and light causes, and such was Herods oath to the dancing dam••∣sel, Mar. 6. 23. forbidden in ordinary communication, Mat. 5. 34, 37. James 5. 12. But in weighty causes we may swear, and being thereunto lawfully called and war∣ranted; so here. And so for ratification of Covenants and Promises of importance, so did Abraham and Abimelech

sware, ch. 21. 31. so Isaac and Abimelech, ch 26. 31. so Jacob and Laban, ch. 31. 53. so David and Jonathan. 1 Sam. 20. 17. And ••o God commands it, for removal of suspitions of jealousie, N••mh. 52••. of theft, Exod. 22. 11. 1 Kings 8. 31. 2 Chron. 6. 22. And so many men in Scripture, upon weighty causes did lawfully require an oath; so did Abraham of his servant, Jacob of Esau, Gen. 25. 33. and of his sonne Joseph Gen. 47. 31. Rahab of the spies, Josh. 2. 12. Samson of the men of Jud••h, Judg. 15. 12. Saul and the Egyptian of David, 1 Sam. 24. 21. and 30. 15. Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah, 2 Chron 36. 13. And many in like cases freely and voluntarily gave their oathes; so Moses to Cal••b. Josh. 14. 9. David to Bathsheba, 1 Kings 1. 13. Gedaliah to the ••emnan•• of ••udah, 2 Kings 25. 24. King Zedekiah to Jeremy, Jer. 38. ••6. The reason and end of all is, to assure men the more of faith and truth in words and promises; for in an oath men call God to be both a witnesse of the truth, and an avenger of the lie, and breach of promise. And so an oath bindes the soule with a bond, Numb. ••0. 2. And hereupon the godly, to binde them∣selves the more to God, and his service, and good duties, have sworne to ••he Lord, so David to finde out an house and place for Gods habitation, Psal. 132. 2. so the Priests, Levites and all Israel, to reforme the strange marriages, Ezra 10. 5. so King Asa and all the people entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord, and they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with corne••s▪ 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13, 14. yea, God himself is mercifully pleased so far to condescend, as to swear un∣to men for their better assurance, and the confirmation of their faith in the truth of his promises, Heb. 6. 12,—18. so he sware to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Gen. 24. 7. 26. 3. Exod. 6. 8. Luke 1. 73. so to David, Psal. 89. 49. And sometimes in wrath, to ratifie his threatenings against sin∣ners, so, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. In sacred account then is the bond of an oath, Heb. 6. 16. it must be carefully taken, in truth, in righteousnesse, and in judgement, Jer. 4. 2. Not vainly or falsely, Gods wrath is great against such oathes and oath-breakers, Exod. 20. 7. Levit. 19. 12. Hos. 4. 2. 10. 4. Jer. 23. 10. Ezek. 17. 15,—21. Zech. 5. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 5. It was Peters sinne for which he wept so bitter∣ly, Matth. 26. 74. 75. we must feare an oath, Eccles. 9. 2. though it be taken to men, yet it is called the oath of God, Eccl. 8. 2. Ezek. 17. 10. and therefore the godly man, though he sweareth to his own hurt, yet changeth not▪ Psal. 15. 4. Though the Gibeonites beguiled Joshuah, and the Princes of Israel, yet say they, we must let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them, Josh. 9. 15, 19, 20.

by the Lord] It is a part of our duty, and Gods Worship, to swear by Gods Name, Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. Esay 45. 23. 65. 16. Jer. 12. 16. Psa••. 63. 11. so Jacob sware to Laban by the feare of his father Isaac, Gen. 31. 53, 42. we must not swear by false gods, Josh. 23. 7. Jer. 12. 16. not by Baal, by the sin and idol of Samaria, the manner of Beer-sheba, by Malcham. Against such Swearers God threaren∣eth his judgements, Jer. 5. 7. Amos. 8. 14. Zeph. 1. 5. nor must we sweare by the creatures as if they were God, or we had power over them as our own, to pawn them on the truth of what we say, Mat 5. 34, 35, 36. and ch. 23. 16, 18, 20, 21, 22. James 5. 12.

of the daughters of the Canaanites] ch. 9. 25. 10. 15. 15. 16, 21. such was the sin of the old world, ch. 6. 2. This was Rebekahs grief at Esau, and feare, lest Jacob should do the like, ch. 27. 46. 28. 1, 2. Lest by marrying with ido∣laters his sonne or seed should be drawn from God, Deut. 7. 3, 4. And specially he would not have his seed and blood mixed with that cursed Nation, whose blood his posterity was to shed without pity, and to succeed in their place according to Gods Promise. Therefore Moses for∣bids any Covenant wi••h them; neither would Abraham bu••y with them, ch. 23. 6, 20.

V. 4. Unto my Countrey] the City of Nahor in Meso∣potamia, v. 10. Haran or Charran (not Ur) ch. 29. 4. Here was the truest Worship of the true God, next to that in Abrahams family, though indeed v••ry much corrupted. Laban being an idolater, ch. 31. 30, 53. and after Jacobs marriage there also, some of that race in his family were not altogether free, ch. 31. v. 19, 32. 35. 2, 3, 4.

V. 5. Must I needs bring] In case the woman will not yield to marry Isaac, to leave her countrey and come dwell in Canaan, but that he must yield to go and dwell there, in that case he des••res direction, and to know what his oath bindes him unto.

bring] Isaac having undertaken to his father to be guided by him, and this servant in the businesse of his mar∣riage bring him by perswasion.

again] Not that Isaac had been there before, but Abra∣ham, as, ch. 15. v. 16.

V. 6 Beware] Yield not to any such condition. They there are too corrupt in Religion; and my sonne must not by going to dwell elsewhere, in a kind, renounce so the land of Promise. He must live here rather as a stranger and sojourner by faith as himself had done, Hebrewes 11. 9.

V. 7. His Angel] A ministring Spirit, Heb. 1. 14. for thy direction and protection.

V. 8. Clear] So, Josh. 2. 17.

V. 10. Master] Or Lord. These two termes in Scri∣pture are used indifferently, Mat. 17. 4. compared with Mar. 9. 5.

all the goods] V. 2. 53. ch. 39. 4.

••••n camels] Numerous in those countreys, 1 Chron. 5. 11. ten here, and servants to attend them, v. 59. and la∣ding no doubt for them. This argues Abrahams wealth, and the servants trust. And it was fit for so long a jour∣ney, and to carry presents and gifts, v. 53. and that the kindred might see his Masters great estate.

Mesopotamia] Between Tygris and Euphrates, called Padan. Aram, ch. 25. 20. Aram in the New Testament is usually called Syria, Mat. 4. 24.

City of Nahor] See Annotations in ch. 11. 31. as Christs City, i e. wherein he dwelt, Mat. 9. 1.

V. 11. Kneel down] As the custome of those Camels was, to rest them, and to load and unload.

V. 12. And ••e said] In his heart, v. 45.

Good speed] V. 42. prosper my way. Luke 10. 31. the word chance is used.

and shew kindnesse] This kindnesse, in the words fol∣lowing.

V. 14. Let it come to passe] No doubt this came into his minde by the special instinct of Gods Spirit, v. 7. as that of Gideon, Judg. 6. 17, 37. and that of Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14. 9. without like warrant we may not attempt the like.

V. 15. Before he had done speaking] So, Esay 65. 24. Dan. 9 23.

her Pitcher] Thus women employed in mean services, v. 11. 13. yea, great and good women, as here, and, ch. 18. 6. and, 29 9. Exod. 2. 16.

V. 17. Ran to meet her] v. 13. but had removed a little aloof off to give way ••o Rebekah, and to mark her.

V. 22. Took a golden ear-ring] To give her, as taking or receiving, Psal. 68. 19. is expounded giving. Eph. 4. 8. He puts the ear-ring upon her face, v. 47. after he had asked whose daughter she was.

Shekel] See Annotat. on ch. 20. 16. and on ch. 23. 15. Half a shekel is called Bekah, Ex. 38. 26.

V. 26. Worshipped] v. 52. ch. 22. 5. Exod. 4. 31. This is more then kneeling, or bowing of the head. This is a pro∣strating of the whole body, a falling down upon the face to the ground, Psal. 95. 6. Luke. 5. 12. compared with Mat. 8. 2.

V. 27. Brethren] Kinsfolk, v. 48. ch. 13. 8.

V. 28. Mothers house] It seems the custome of those times and places, was for the women to dwell in tents and hou∣ses apar by themselves, v. 67. ch. 31. 33.

V. 32. And he ungirded] i. e. Laban.

and water to wash] Ch. 18. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 10. In those hot countreys men used to go barefoot, or with sandals, open above.

V. 33. I will not eate] Eph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8.

V. 47. Upon her face] Some were worne in the eare, some on the forehead which hanged down to the nose, Ezech. 16. 12. Esay 3. 21.

V. 48. Daughter] Grandchilde.

V. 49. Kindly and truly] Mercy and truth joyned, ch. 47. 29. Josh. 2. 14. Prov. 3. 3. Psal. 85. 10.

V. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel] The sonne set before the father, as having the chief managing of all, by reason of his fathers age, v. 55.

bad or good] Nothing at all against it, chap. 31. 24, 29.

V. 51. At the Lord hath spoken] As we plainly see by the whole carriage of this businesse, v. 15. 2 Sam. 16. 10.

V. 57. At her mouth] About this motion for her sudden departure.

V. 59. Her nurse] Deborah, ch. 35. 8. Great is the tender∣nesse of the affections of nursing fathers, and nursing mothers, Numb. 11. 12, 13. 1 Thes. 2. 7. Esay 49, 22. 2 Sam. 4. 4.

V. 61. And followed the man] Psal. 45. 10.

V. 62. Lahai-roi] Ch 16. 14. 12. 9. 25. 11. in the wil∣dernesse of Beersheba, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

••e dwelt] Not apart from his father, but with him. That Well was not far from Beersheba where Abraham dwelt, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

V. 63. To meditate] Or pray, or both, so the word sig∣nifieth, Psal. 77 3, 6. 12. 119. 15.

V. 65. A Veile] A signe of modesty and subjection, 1 Cor. 11. 5, 6, 10. The custome was to bring the spouse veiled to her husband. The face was covered sometimes for grief and mourning, as in Davids mourning for Absalom. Sometimes by others in token of wrath and judgement, as when Hamans face was covered. Sometimes in way of feare and reverence, as Elias covered his face, 1 Kings 19. 13.

V. 67. Sarahs Tent] Women, it seems had their tents apart, ch. 31. 33. And Sarahs Tent and furniture, it seems, was reserved for Isaacs wife.

and took Rebekah] By solemnity of marriage, in the fourtieth yeare of his life, ch. 25. 20.

loved her] Eph. 5. 25, 28.

after his mothers death] Three yeares before, ch. 17. 17. 23. 1. Dear and durable was his affection toward his mo∣ther.