Laban, who was Abraham’s nephew was known as an Aramean
Isaac pleads, Rebecca conceives: Isaac had a (close) relationship with God.
Children struggle in womb; strange question: “If so, why do I exist?” She inquires of G-d - she also had a (close) relationship with G-d
God answers with a famous prophecy.
Twins
Esau - synonym of “Seir,” play on Heb. se‘ar “hair.” - covered with red hairy mantle.
Then Jacob. Isaac was 60. It took 20 years for their conception. Note there is no other time comparison. When did Isaac plead his case?
Esau the hunter, outdoors man; Jacob mild man, tending livestock - Heb. yoshev ’ohalim; NJPS “who stayed in camp,” lit. “a sitter in tents.” The idiom for a pastoralist; cf. 4.20.
Isaac favoured Esau (liked his game), Rebecca favoured Jacob (but we are not told why)
Story of the Brew
Give me that red stuff - why he was named Edom (from ’adom “red”)
Sell me your birthright
I am dying, of what use is my birthright to me?
Swear to me first
Esau ate and drank, spurning his birthright.
Chapter 26
Famine, Abraham and Isaac go to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
HaShem had appeared to him, and tells him not to go to Egypt, but “stay where I tell you.
and you will be fruitful”
inasmuch as Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge: My commandments, My laws, and My teachings.” - where and when?
Lies about Rebecca - just like Abraham lied about Sarah.
Avimelech turns out to be honourable.
He grew prosperous, and envied by the Philistines.
They stopped up all of Abraham’s wells.
Abimelech sends him away
Settles in wadi of Gerar
Opens father’s wells (were they dried out?)
Finds a well of spring water
Disputed - Esek “contention”
Another well, and another dispute - “Sitnah“ harasment.
Moved away, found 3rd well - Rehobot “ample space”