chem his son with the * edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.

a

27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city; because they had defiled their sister.

28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field. 29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

*Heb. mouth Deut. 32:42, 2 z Esth. 9:10,16. Sam. 2:26. Is S1:8.

a 2,31. See on 13.

V. 25-28. Simeon and Levi, sons of Leah,ilies, even when trained up in the fear of God, were Dinah's brethren by the whole blood.-It has not improbably been conjectured, that they were at that time hospitably entertained in Shechem's house; which gave them a fairer opportunity of coming upon the Shechemites, when sore and unprepared, and of effecting this dreadful execution. Though no more of Jacob's sons were concerned in the massacre, perhaps some servants might assist; and it seems that all the rest, without hesitation, concurred in the plunder.

will frequently occasion many trials, anxieties, and sorrows to their parents; and the grief of losing them in infancy is transient and tolerable, compared with that of seeing them grow up and live in wickedness. Let parents then rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and submit with resignation if the Lord bereave them of their beloved offspring; and if their children be spared, let them bring them up for the Lord, and commend them to his gracious protection. -When young women listen to the vile proposals or flattering promises of seducers, they not unfrequently seclude themselves from every prospect of forming honorable connexions; and voluntarily consign themselves to a single life, if still worse consequences do not ensue: and this consideration, combined with nobler motives, should induce them to reject, with deter

V. 29. We are not informed what became of these captives afterwards, any more than of the servants of Jacob's household; whether they were otherwise previously disposed of, or whether they went down with Jacob's family into Egypt. Some think that Jacob restored both the persons and the property, to their surviving relatives and countrymer and indeed this is highly prob-mined indignation and disdain, every dishonorable.

V. 30. To make me to stink.] Abraham and Isaac had been respected, though strangers; and their religion honored, through their good behavior and that of their families: but, by this infamous conduct, Jacob apprehended, that his sons would cause him and his religion to be even execrated among the heathen, whose crimes they had surpassed.

V. 31. Thus the criminals attempted to vindicate themselves, and wickedly insinuated that Jacob was willing to permit his daughter to be treated as a harlot.-Though he said nothing more for the present, their conduct made a deep and durable impression on his mind.-After this, we read nothing more of Dinah, than her name; and it may be concluded that she lived and died unmarried, but we hope not impenitent.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-12.

able proposal.-No sin is made lighter of by multitudes than lewdness: yet no crime is more injurious to the bodies and souls of individuals, to the peace and comfort of families, and to the welfare of society; and no sin makes way for more horrible consequences, as introductory to all other wickedness. But, how will these heathens rise up in judgment against thousands, falsely called Christians, and condemn them; who, having seduced and defiled the objects of their pretended affection, afterwards treat them with contempt and hatred; leave them to the infamy and misery of prostitution, disease, and death; and, without the least compassion for them or their broken-hearted parents, proceed to add new trophies of their infamous success, and to multiply the victims of their unbridled lusts! Surely Shechem was in this more honorable, not only than all the house of his father, but than all the rest of his brethren, the whole tribe of seducers; who are in honor and conscience bound to make this only, but inadequate reparation, though very few of thein are willing to do it!

V. 13-31.

Young persons, especially females, are never so safe as under the inspection of prudent and pious parents: for their own inexperience and credulity, and the intoxicating nature of flattery, together with the artifice of those who are How lamentable is it, that children, who have continually laying snares for them, expose them profited little by the example and instructions to imminent danger. They are therefore their of their godly parents, should so often gain an own enemies, if they desire to go from home undue ascendency over them! and that they, alone, especially among those who are stran- who express great indignation at the crimes of gers to God and true religion: but those parents others, and the "folly wrought in Israel," should are much more inexcusable, who allow or en- prove themselves so unacquainted with the courage their children in acting so imprudent-character of a true Israelite, as far to exceel iy; nay, who do not interpose their authority to in their own conduct those crimes which they prevent them from heedlessly exposing them- punish in others! They, who under the pretext selves to unseen and unsuspected danger.-of religion, and by profaning its sacred institu Children who are indulged, because beloved, tions, can conceal their designs, that they may, too often, like Dinah, become the shame and without being suspected, execute atrocious grief of their relations. And indeed, large fam-wickedness, are the most dangerous enemies of

religion: for they cause both it and its professors, to be hated and execrated, expose them to inward anguish and outward persecution, and open the mouths and harden the hearts of multitudes to their destruction.-But they who are wicked enough to perpetrate enormous crimes, will never fail to vindicate them; nor can any thing, but the grace of God, or the discoveries which will be made at the day of judgment, effectually stop men's mouths and silence their excuses. Then, however, the impenitent sinner will awfully learn, at length, that the crimes of others form no excuse for his own: and though God may justly punish those who profane his ordinances, or transgress his laws, even by the hands of their very tempters; yet the latter shall be punished with still greater severity. The good Lord preserve our families from such crimes and miseries, and his church from such scandals, as are recorded in this chapter!

NOTES.

4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their ear-rings which were in their ears; and Jacobi hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

6 So Jacob came to m Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, (that is Beth-el,) he and all the people that were with him." 7 And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

8 But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el, P un

der an oak: and the name of it was called + Allon-bachuth.

indolently connived at it.-It is evident, that
there existed rules for external purification,
before the promulgation of the Mosaic law,
The
probably from traditional revelation.
means of purifying, thus appointed, were de-
signed to represent the sanctification of the
Spirit, as the sacrifices prefigured the atone-
ment of Christ's death. The abominations re-
corded in the foregoing chapter, as well as the
other evils which prevailed in Jacob's family,
rendered such reformation and purification very
needful, as a preparation to the solemn sacri-
fices and services, which Jacob was about to
perform.

V. 4. Jacob's family seem to have parted
with their idols, less reluctantly than he ex-
pected. The ear-rings were probably worn as
an amulet or charm, in token of some depend-
ence on the strange gods; and rather from su-
Jacob buried
perstition than for ornament.
them in the ground secretly, that his family
might not know what he had done with them.
He would not convert the metal to other uses;
and perhaps he did not know how more entire-
ly to destroy it. (Note, Ex. 32:20.)

CHAP. XXXV. V. 1. Jacob had hitherto deferred to perforin his vow at Beth-el, and to dedicate the tenth part of his substance to the V. 5. Terror of God.] Though the inhabitants Lord; but on what account we are not inform- of the land could not approve the conduct of ed.--Perhaps his afflictions, recorded in the Shechem; yet the revenge taken by the sons of former chapter, were intended to chastise that Jacob was so complicated an act of treachery, delay; and indeed they might arise, as natural || cruelty, and rapine, that it is scarcely conceivconsequences, from his continuing so long near able, how they were restrained from combining Shechem. But, being now reminded by an im- together and making war against them, or at mediate revelation of the will of the Lord, he least from pursuing them as they fled. But perdoubtless accomplished the whole of his vow, haps they respected the character of Jacob, as though we are not particularly informed about a worshipper of JEHOVAH, and were afraid to make any assault on his family.-Probably Jacob had made what reparation he could to the survivors; yet the preservation of him and his family is expressly ascribed to a divine influence.

it.

V. 2. The "strange gods" were idols, worshipped by those who were strangers to the true God and his covenant. Probably the images, which Rachel had stolen, were of that number, and some might have been found among the spoils of the Shechemites. It seems, that some of Jacob's household worshipped them, and that he had been aware of this; yet had timidly or

V. 8. As Jacob was a hundred and thirty years old when Joseph was about forty; compare 41:46. 45:6. with 47:9.) he was about ninety when Joseph was born, who at this time was fil

B. C. 1732. 9 And God appeared unto Jacob || her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son again, when he came out of Padan-aram; also. and blessed him.

r

10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name; and he called his name Israel.

ន

11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply: ta nation and a company of nations shall be of thee. and kings shall come out of thy loins.

u

12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. 13 And God went up from him, in the place where he talked with him.

14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drinkoffering thereon, and he poured oil there

teen or sixteen. (Note, 34:1.) Jacob was then about a hundred and six; Isaac had been married twenty years when Jacob was born; so that at least a hundred and twenty-five years had passed since Isaac's marriage. Probably after Rebekah's death, (which is not recorded,) this aged servant was taken into Jacob's house, by the desire of Leah and Rachel, as peculiarly dear to them: thus her death was recorded in Jacob's history, rather than in Isaac's; and from this it is inferred, that Jacob had before this visited his father Isaac. "Allon-bachuth" signifies the oak of weeping. Deborah was not a relation, but a servant in extreme old age; and probably, not only incapable of being useful to others, but occasioning much trouble: yet her good behavior had so engaged the affections of the whole family, that her death was greatly Jamented.

V. 9. Several years had passed, since Jacob returned from Padan-aram; but this appearance is thus distinguished from the Lord's appearance to him, before he went to Padan-aram, and when in that country.

V. 10-13. He called. (10) The Lord, appearing in some visible and remarkable manner, thus confirmed to Jacob all the special favor and protection, which the name Israel implied.

18 And it came to pass as her soul was in departing, (for she died,) that she called his name + Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.

19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

21 T And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

22 And it came to pass when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and 'lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's first-born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel; Joseph and Benjamin.

25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan and Naphtali. 26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad and Asher. These are

confirmed to the place more publicly that name by which he had privately called it; and which it ever after bore, till it became Beth-aven, a house of vanity and idolatry. (Notes, 28:18-22. Josh. 7:2.)

V. 17. The midwife, in saying, "Thou shalt have this son also," seems to have alluded to the name of Joseph, and the occasion of that name. (30:24.)

V. 18. The expression, "her soul was in departing," aptly describes the nature of death, which is the dissolution of the union betwixt soul and body.-Rachel had rashly said, "Give me children, or else I die:" God gave her children, and she died in child-birth.-Jacob, by changing the name which Rachel had given to her son, intimated that it was not proper so to indulge his sorrow, as to overlook the mercies still vouchsafed him, or neglect the duties of his station. The son of the right hand, seems to mean, one valued as a right hand; or, 'a son, who shall be my defender in old age, as if he were my right hand.'

V. 21. Tower of Edar.] The same words (1) are rendered, "Tower of the flock,” in Micah. (Mic. 4:8. Heb.)

V. 22. Reuben and Bilhah doubtless flattered V. 14, 15. Jacob seems to have renewed, with themselves that their abominable crime would greater solemnity, the ceremony which he ob- be concealed; yet Jacob was made acquainted served when God first met him at Bethel; and || with their conduct, and most decidedly shewed

[135

his abhorrence of it. Their actual crime is indisputable, notwithstanding the palliating glosses of some Jewish writers. (Note, 49:3,4.)

V. 27. It should not be concluded, from the silence of Scripture, that Jacob had not before this visited his father. Probably he came often to see him; but at length, as he evidently drew near death, he came to dwell with him, or in the neighborhood.

V. 28. The age, death, and burial of Isaac, are here inserted by anticipation; for by computation we find that he did not die till about the time that Joseph stood before Pharaoh. Isaac was about a hundred and fifty years old when Joseph was born; Joseph therefore must have been thirty when Isaac was a hundred and eighty. (Note, 27:1.)

V. 29. Esau, instead of taking this opportunity to murder Jacob, as he had purposed, found his heart so influenced, that he amicably assisted at Isaac's funeral.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-15.

||

CHAP. XXXVI.

Esau's wives and children; his removal to mount Seir, and his descendants in Seir, 1-19. The descendants of Seir the Horite, 20-30. Kings and dukes of Edom, 31-43.

N

a

TOW these are the generations of
Esau, who is Edom.

2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite:

3 And Bashemath Ishmael's daugh ter, sister of Nebajoth.

a 25:24-34. 27:35-41. 32:3-| b 26:34,35. 27:46.
7. Num. 20:14-21. Deut. 23: c 25:13. 28:9.
7. Is. 63:1. Ez. 25:12.

tinual ravages of death, bereaving us of our
nearest and best beloved friends and relatives,
will frequently excite our fears and lamenta-
tions, and remind us to be ready also, and to set
our affections on things above. It is very be-
coming when servants, by good behavior, de-
servedly enjoy the endeared affection of the fam
ilies in which they reside, so that they live be-
loved and die lamented: and when they, who
have had the benefit of their faithful services,
while in health and strength, provide comforta-
bly for them in sickness and old age.-Such
scenes of domestic life are far more beautiful
and instructive, than the events which crowd
the pages of history, with splendid evidences of
the folly and madness of mankind.
V. 16-29.

We should be very cautious not to desire too earnestly any temporal object, nor impatiently to complain of the want of it; as the Lord may remember our unadvised expressions long after, and rebuke them even in granting our desires, without giving his blessing with them.-Even the most favored servants of the Lord are frequently tried with afflictions, which quickly succeed each other. Yet "all shall work together for their good."-While we live in this world, we must witness so much sin around us, and mourn over so much in ourselves and our families, as well as experience so many bodily infirmities and outward disappointments; that we may well congratulate, and almost envy, those who have finished their measure of sufferings and

ripe for glory: for if we are fit for heaven, “better is the day of our death, than the day of our birth."-They, who live the most peaceably and comfortably, are least noticed in history: and it may be some consolation to reflect, that while we read of scarcely any thing else than the vices and miseries of mankind; very many, unnoticed by man, have "walked with God, and are not, for God hath taken them."

Such is the imperfection of the best of men, that they are prone to defer those things which they know ought to be done, and which they really intend to do; and to forget the mercies which they have received, and the obligations under which they lie: nay, without great circumspection, gross abuses will find their way even into religions families, especially if numerous. We need therefore to be frequently reminded of our duty, and even rebuked for neg-services, and leave the world full of days, and lecting it; and we should deem it a very great mercy to be stirred up to personal or family reformation, and cheerfully part with every thing, however valuable, which proves an occasion of sin. Not only rebukes, however, but sharp chastisements, may be expected, if we neglect or postpone our solemn tribute of praise to God, when he hath "answered us in the day of our distress."-A good example and serious admonitions will go a great way in promoting the good behavior of those around us; and there is often less opposition made to our pious endeavors than we expected. The Lord does not deal with his people and their families according to their deservings; nay, he is better to them than their. fears: and when he overawes the spirit of their enemies, his servants cannot but be safe whithersoever they go, or wherever they are. When we have obediently hearkened to the Lord's reproving voice, have rectified abuses, and paid our vows, we may expect to hear from him with||eldest son.-Possibly his wives had different comfort, and to enjoy the assurance and earnest of his covenanted blessings. But all our consolations in this world only prepare us for trials, and are intermingled with sorrows: and the con

NOTES.

CHAP. XXXVI. V. 2, 3. Esau married “Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite." (26: 34.) And as these wives are mentioned many years after, in a manner which implies they were then living, (27:46. 28:9.) we can hardly suppose that they both died childless, and that after their death Esau married the wives, by whom he had most of his children, and especially Eliphaz his

names. Bashemath might also be called Adah. And if Aholibamah were the same person as Judith, Beeri the Hittite might be her father, and Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, her

V. 12. Amalek.] It has generally been taken for granted, that the Amalekites descended from this grandson of Esau: but, as they were a pow-rated. erful people when the Israelites came out of V. 24. Found, &c.] This passage is particuEgypt, and able to contend with them in battle; larly difficult, as the word translated mules ocVOL. I. [137