richmahn_en_tn/gen/25/intro.md

1.4 KiB

Genesis 25 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart extended or special quotations. The ULB and many other English translations indent the lines of 25:23, which is a quotation.

Special concepts in this chapter

Polygamy

Abraham married another wife. This was sinful of him. Many other Hebrew leaders came to marry multiple wives. This is known as "polygamy." It has never been an acceptable practice. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin)

Inheritance

In the ancient Near East, inheritance was passed on through the eldest son. Even though Esau and Jacob were twins, it is very important that Esau was born first. It was his birthright to receive his inheritance, but he foolishly gave it up. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/inherit, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/birthright and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/foolish)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

God fulfill's his promise

God begins to fulfill the promise he gave to Abraham about making his descendants numerous. Many of these children through his concubines would become large people groups. This may not be easy to understand without the remainder of the Old Testament and the history it records. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)