Tag: Rebecca

God of Heaven and Earth

Posted on by jovial_cynic

Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.
Genesis 24:2-3 (NASB)

For the first time in Scripture, we see this phrase: “the God of heaven and the God of earth.”

The rabbis note that Abraham says this while in the Promised Land, but never says it while in Egypt or in Haran. Perhaps it’s a statement about the Holy Land. It is specially designated as God’s special place.

But there is a hint of divine parable in the phrase. In Genesis 1, God “created the heavens and the earth,” so we understand that God made them… together. To be together, like a man and his wife.

This chapter is about marriage and covenant, and how God establishes a union over an impossible distance.

Covering of the Eyes

Posted on by jovial_cynic

Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked.
Genesis 20:16 (NKJV)

The Hebrew phrase that is translated as “this vindicates you” here is כְּסוּת עֵינַיִם, which means “a covering of the eyes.”

The meaning is debated among the rabbis, but Chizkuni’s interpretation seems to be the best.

There is sarcasm in the words.

Per tradition, it is proper to give a great gift to the brother of a bride. In Genesis 24:53, we read Eliazar gave precious gifts to Rebecca’s brother and her mother.

So Abimelech’s statement, “your brother,” is meant to nod to the tradition, even though he knows it’s not true.

In that context, “a covering of the eyes” is like “turning a blind eye.”

The word “rebuked” at the end is also difficult to translate, as it can mean both “rebuked” but also “cleared” or “shown to be right.” Perhaps it’s both, as the matter is dropped after Abraham prays for healing.