Hebrew Insights into Parashat Cha’yey Sarah - B'resheet (Genesis) 23-25:18

 

 Although the name of this week’s Parashah means “Sarah’s life”, it is actually her death and burial that are described in the opening verses. Verse 1 presents a rather curious rendering of Sarah’s length of years: “And the life of Sarah was a hundred years, and twenty years, and seven years, the years of the life of Sarah” (literal translation). It is as though Sarah's life is divided into time periods: the first hundred years, then twenty, and the last seven. Her place of death is also ‘overly’ specified: “Kiryat Arba, which is Chevron in the land of C’na’an”. It then says, “Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her”. Were Avraham and Sarah separated before that? In 22:19 it says that Avraham dwelt at Beer Sheva. Could it be that the couple separated? Some postulate that this indeed was the case, after Avraham’s attempt to sacrifice his son. But now, with Sarah’s departure, Avraham is seen looking to purchase a burial plot for his deceased wife and for his family. He has his eye set on a particular site in Kiryat Arba, opposite Mamre “which is Chevron” (23:19). Notice that both Kiryat Arba and Mamre are mentioned as names of Chevron. The “Oaks of Mamre” is where we met Avraham at the beginning of last week’s Parashat Va’yera. Earlier, in 14:13, Mamre (and his oaks) is mentioned with his two brothers, who were the Amorite allies of Avram, as he was then called. Hence the Amorites/Canaanites named the place Mamre, whereas Arba was one of the giants (“anak”, e.g. Joshua 14:15). Avraham seeks out Efron (Ephron), the Hittite1, who is the owner of a cave called Machpela. 

“Machpela” stems from the root k.f.l (kaf, fey/pey, lamed), which means “double”. Most likely, the cave consisted of more than one chamber (making it especially suitable for burial).2 Efron’s name, quite appropriately, is derived from the root “ah’far” (a.f.r. ayin, fey, resh) meaning “dust of the ground”. It is the same dust that is mentioned in B’resheet (Genesis) 3:19: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return” - famous words that were pronounced over Adam after he had succumbed to temptation. “Ah’far” is also the term YHVH uses when He makes His promises to the Patriarchs concerning the multiplicity of their seed (see Gen. 13:16; 28:14). Thus, the combination of dust (in Efron’s name) and duplication (in the name of the burial cave) point to this very promise in spite of the themes of death and burial and in their very presence. 

Notice the response to Avraham’s description of himself as a “stranger and an alien” (23:4) by the sons of Het: “You are a prince of Elohim among us” (v. 6). Avraham’s humility and lack of pretentiousness and presumptuousness are met by great respect (cf. Matthew 23:12) and by a truthful pronouncement regarding his position. Hebrews 12:9 confirms that even though he was a recipient of great promises, “he [Abraham] lived in the land of promise as a stranger”, the Hebrew word being “ger” of the root g.u.r (gimmel, vav, resh) which essentially means ‘fear’, speaking of the vulnerability of a stranger (more on this root will be elaborated in another Parasha down the road).   Avraham pays a “full” amount (v. 9) for his acquisition (in spite of the offer to the contrary, v. 6), as did his grandson Ya’acov when the latter purchased a field in the town of Sh’chem (Shechem, in Gen. 33:19), and likewise David, generations later, when he bought Ornan’s (Araunah) threshing floor in Yerushalayim (2nd Sam. 24:24, upon which the Temple was later built). Not coincidentally, Chevron, Sh’chem (where Joseph is buried), and the Temple Mount are some of the most contested sites in the land of Yisrael! 

The narrative of Chapter 23 presents some challenges, as it is characterized by ongoing repetition, with every point reiterated. Here are some examples: In verse 6, “bury, burial, bury your dead” are repeated over and over. In both verses 7 and 12, Avraham is said to be “bowing down to the people of the land”, with the addition of “the sons of Heth” in the first citing. The mention of the “sons of Heth” recurs so often that it sounds superfluous. The transaction for the purchase of the cave and its field is mentioned in vs. 9, 13, 16, and 18, while verse 17 enumerates every article within the property. The question arises as to the purpose of all this repetitive information and detail, which is capped by “… the cave of Machpelah, before Mamre, that is Hebron in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as a property for a burial place” (vs. 19, 20). The writer itemizes the conditions, details, and individuals involved, leaving no room for doubt or mistake. All of this leads to the conclusion that B’resheet chapter 23 constitutes a legal document, a contract, or a deed with all of its stipulations ensuring clarity regarding the ownership of the said property, while also citing the many witnesses who were present. Therefore, contesting the rights to this land directly defies the Word of Elohim! 

Avraham paid in hard cash: 400 shekels of silver. The three consonants that form the root for “shekel,” sh.k.l (shin, kof, lamed) also form the verb “to weigh”. Thus, the price paid for the plot was made up of 400 equal units, each approximately one-half ounce. All in all, Avraham paid about 200 “weighted” ounces or 12 pounds of silver. Soon, in 24:22, we will read about the “weight” (“mishkal”) of the gold nose rings and bracelets that were given to a young maiden in exchange for water. 

But back to “Chevron,” a name made from the root ch.v.r (chaf, vet/bet, resh), shared by the following: “to tie, bind, join, unite, friend, and company”. Although in the course of its long history this town has not seen much unity and friendship (it served as David's capital during his seven-year rule over the house of Yehuda-Judah, before he united all of Yisrael, and is currently divided between a hostile Muslim population and a small Jewish presence), its name may point to conditions which will prevail in the days to come. In addition to these positive meanings, ch.v.r. also acts as the root for “chavura” – wounding, injury, bruises - such as we read in Yisha’yahu (Isaiah) 53:5, regarding what was to be inflicted upon the Messiah. Only these “bruises” can “heal” the breaches of Chevron and transform them into “friendship and unity”. 

Chapter 24 highlights Avraham’s senior servant, who “ruled over all his possessions” (v. 2). The servant is described as a “moshel” (one of the words for “ruler”). “Moshel” shares its root (m.sh.l, mem, shin, lamed) with “proverb, parable, example, to be like, resemble and comparable”. In Tehilim (Psalms) 28:1 the writer cries: “I have become like – “nimshalti” - those who go down to the pit”. The parable in Yechez’kel (Ezekiel) 12:22 is called a “mashal”. In Shmuel Alef (1st Samuel) 10:12, Shaul (Saul) is made a public example of (as a prophet), with the use of “mashal”. The people of Yisrael likewise became a not-too-positive example among the nations, or an object lesson, as described in Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) 24:9, where they are called: “a reproach and a proverb… in all places where I shall drive them” (italics added). There are many more examples of the usage of the verb and n emanating from m.sh.l, but how is this connected to the elderly servant? 

The servant, as a representative of Avraham, was to carry out the duties that were delegated to him. As such, we see him strive to serve by approaching his assignments the same way his master would have. This, therefore, is the model for the conduct of a true Godly ruler, or leader, who takes his orders from above and endeavors to carry them out like his Master, thus becoming a representative ‘sample’, a “mashal,” or a likeness of the One whom he follows. The Elohim of Yisrael said: “he who rules over (“moshel”) men, by ruling (“moshel”) in the fear of YHVH, will shine as the light of the sun in the morning….” (2^nd Sam. 23:3, 4). One such ruler was Yoseph, whose trials and tests were the purifying work of “the Word of YHVH”. Once he was “conformed” to this Word, he was appointed a “ruler [moshel] over all of the king’s possessions” (Ps. 105:18-21). “What is man…” in the eyes of his Creator? Tehilim (Psalms) 8:6 says, “You have made him to rule,” with the verb “tam’shile’hu,” which may also be read as “you have made him like…” or “you have made of him a proverbial example.” These examples point to a representational form of rule, or leadership. Avraham's servant certainly displayed this characteristic of conforming to his master, so much so that his master’s Elohim became his! Yeshua’s words attest to the fact that he too operated by this principle: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). He, therefore, declared: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). 

Avraham’s representative, or delegate, is instructed to carry out a mission but is not told how to do it. He chooses to present a 'fleece' to "YHVH, the Elohim of my master Avraham" (24:12). The fleece and its fulfillment have to do with water, or the means of obtaining that commodity. Hence, we find here “well” (v. 11), “spring (or source, v.13), and trough” (v. 20). The first two are “be'er” and “ayin”, and the last one is “shoket” (from the verb “le'ha'shkot” - "to give a drink"). “Ayin” is also the word used for “eye”. Although ‘officially’ no direct link has been established between “spring” (or “source”) and “eye”, Yeshua refers to the latter as a type of source when He says in Matthew 6:22: “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light”. The root of “be'er” (“well”) is identical to the root “ba'er” (b.a.r, bet, alef, resh), which means to “expound or clarify”, as it appears in Dvarim (Deuteronomy) 1:5, 27:8, and in Chavakook (Habakkuk) 2:2 (where "make it plain" should read "clarify" or "expound"). And thus it is the episode by the well which makes the results of his mission clear to the inquiring servant, as he is "gazing at her [the girl] in silence [and wondering]… whether YHVH had made his journey successful or not” (24:1 italics added). But he did not need to wonder for long… 

"Success" is “hatzlacha,” from the root tz.l.ch. (tzadi, lamed, chet), which is also “to prosper", and is used a number of times in this Parasha. The primary root means to “advance, or cross" (such as in 2nd Sam. 19:17), and by extension also the “coming of the Spirit” (see Judges 14:6). Whenever its meaning is "success," the verb appears in the active causative form rendering it: “to cause to advance". The verb and noun teach us, therefore, that prosperity and success may be obtained only with the help of an ‘external force’, as exemplified here by the servant, who is completely dependent on YHVH to “cause him to advance”. The servant's awareness of this fact is also expressed by his prayer in 24:12: "O YHVH Elohim of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham". In this instance, the root tz.l.ch for "success" does not show up at all. The literal wording here for "give me success" is, "to bring about" - “hakreh” - literally, “cause to happen”. “Happening, occurrence, incident” are “mikreh”.  Avraham’s servant, however, knowing that the Elohim of his master controls life’s supposed random happenstances, relies on Him to arrange the ‘natural’ circumstances so as to make clear His choice of the sought-for bride. 

The chain of the desired events that were brought about starts with the appearance of a young maiden named Rivka (Rebecca, 24:15). Her rather curious name originates from the root letters r. v/b. k. (resh, vet/bet, kof), which are also the root letters of “marbek”, that is, “stall”, itself stemming from an Aramaic word meaning "to crouch”. “Marbek” is always used in connection with fatted calves (ref. 1st Sam. 28:24; Jer. 46:21; Amos 6:4; Mal. 4:2). Rivka's name points without question to the importance her family attached to their possessions. By naming her thus, they were also expressing hopes regarding their their livestock. 

Later on, upon her departure to the land of C’na’an, Rivka's family blesses her saying "...Our sister, you will become [multiply into] thousands of ten thousands and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies" (Gen. 24:60). This blessing is being uttered by Rivka’s family members without being aware that a similar blessing, about the seed possessing the gate of those who hate them, was also pronounced by YHVH's angel over Avraham, when the latter was obedient to the call to offer up Yitzchak (Gen. 22:17). It is quite likely that Avraham’s servant was informed about this blessing. Now, hearing it again in these present circumstances, the "success" of his mission was being confirmed to him yet again.

This/blessing/promise is further magnified when Yeshua says the following to His disciples, in Caesarea Philippi: “….on this rock I will build My kehila, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, and continues to elaborate on the Kingdom of Elohim). 

“Gate” is “sha'ar” in Hebrew (sh.a.r, shin, ayin, resh). Because much of the administration, jurisprudence, and business took place at the city gate, he who possessed the gate also had charge over the entire city (or area). The “gate of the enemy" denotes, therefore, the enemy's area of control and dominion. Earlier on in our Parasha, “gate” has been referred to in Avraham’s business transaction:  “And Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the ears of the sons of Heth, of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying…  ‘The field of Ephron was certified… to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city’” (23:10, 18, italics added, cf. Ruth 4:1-11). These transactions by the "gate" have lent that word yet other meanings: "measure, calculate", or "recon," as we shall see in next week's Parasha (Gen. 26:12), where the term used is "one hundred times/fold over”, and in Hebrew, “she’arim” (“gates” plural). 

In addition to the themes of dominion and power in Rivka’s blessing, mention is made of "tens of thousands" - “alfey revava” (24:60). “Revava” is “ten thousand”, whereas “a thousand” is “elef”. “Elef” (a.l.f - alef, lamed, fey), which, with a slight modification, is the name of the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “alef”, lending it a place of prominence, and by implication pointing also to a great numerical value. “Aluf” is "chief", but at times also means “a companion”. A large group of (proverbial) "companions" makes up the number one thousand - “elef”, whereas “revava” (ten thousands) stems from the very common root of r.v/b. (resh, vet/bet) meaning "much, great and chief". In the next Parasha we will meet "the greater [who will serve] the younger", which will also be designated by the term “rav” (25:23). 

The Parasha ends the same way it began: burials are the order of the day. First Avraham dies "in a ripe old age, an old man satisfied…” (25:8). "Ripe" or “full” here is “saveh'ah”, which also means "satisfied" (of the root s.v.a, or sh.v.a), a word we examined last week when we looked at the figure “seven” and “oath” (notice the last period in Sarah’s life, in 23:1, is seven – “sheva”). And just as was mentioned about Sarah, her husband’s lifespan is also divided up into “a hundred years, and seventy years and five years” (v. 7). Avraham too is buried in the Cave of Machpela (v. 9). Finally, the last verses of the Parasha deal with the death of Yishma'el (v.17), whose burial place/is not mentioned. 

Multiplicity in various forms, leadership, prosperity, dominion, and greatness are some of the terms we encountered in this Parasha, whose main narrative is ‘sandwiched’ between deaths and burials. These deaths, however, highlight all the more the blessings granted to the progeny left behind, accentuating the abundance of life for which this progeny was destined.

 

1 The Amorites and Hittites are both descendants of Canaan, the

son of Ham (see Gen. 10:15, 16)

*Confirmed by archaeological evidence

 

Positioning the Rightful Firstborn

After the promised child Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him on the eighth day as a sign of the covenant.  To have been the first to be circumcised on the eighth day was of great significance.  This was not only a sign of YHVH’s guarantee of the covenant, but the number eight (‘new beginnings’) also marked the inauguration of the next phase in His plan of redemption. That is, this child was destined to father the promised, chosen nation that would be the head of all nations, a firstborn nation among many.  

As mentioned, this child had YHVH’s spiritual imprint from his very conception.  Moreover, Elohim declared that Isaac was Abraham’s “only son” (ref. Genesis 22:2) and, as such, would be the sole legal heir to the covenant promise.  YHVH’s word is of extreme significance, as we note from one of Paul’s letters:  “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world [cosmos] was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but [to Abraham and to his seed] through the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13 emphasis added).  We will expand on this in another chapter.

When Isaac was weaned, Abraham threw a great feast in his honor.  Then Sarah saw Hagar’s son mocking the boy and was reminded of his mother’s attitude toward her in the past.  Sarah’s reaction was swift, as she knew that if this child were to remain in the family, his jealousy would cause him to murder her son in order to acquire for himself the rights of the firstborn.  For her part, Hagar still believed Ishmael would inherit his father's vast wealth and patriarchal position.  Fearing an imminent disaster, Sarah approached her husband and demanded that he send away the concubine and her son (ref. Genesis 21:9-10).

While the troubled Abraham was pondering this, YHVH Himself addressed him:  “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is also your seed” (Genesis 21:12-13).  Thus, even though Ishmael would become a nation, the promised people of the covenant would be fathered by the one called from Sarah's womb.  At the same time, because Ishmael was also from Abraham’s loins, YHVH ensured that the cast-away Hagar would not let her son die in the wilderness, as He had promised that Ishmael would become “a great nation” (Genesis 21:18). 

After Hagar and her son departed, Abraham settled in the land of the Philistines.  There he became well known, powerful, and influential.  The local king Abimelech and his army commander Phicol recognized Abraham’s position, status, and Elohim’s favor toward him.  Hence, the king saw fit to take precautionary measures regarding his relationship with the patriarch and called for a unilateral agreement with him (ref. Genesis 21: 22-24).  

Dwelling securely and enjoying his family and prosperity, Abraham’s days of testing seemed over.  He could now watch and enjoy his son’s growing years, and he likely took great pleasure in telling him, over and over, the history of the firstborn and how the Almighty had called him to leave his father’s house and go to a land of promise.  Abraham no doubt recounted to Isaac in detail the stories of his journeying, and the times in which Elohim met him face-to-face and in dreams.  He also did not neglect to teach his son what it meant to belong to YHVH and to live before Him (ref. Genesis 18:19).  So it may not have come as a great surprise to the aged patriarch when YHVH approached him and asked for what was rightfully His. 

Before moving on to the next chapter, let us recap and reiterate that Isaac is the undisputed son of promise.  Isaac was to inherit all that was guaranteed by the covenant.  He would also be the father of a chosen nation, a nation whose members would have “the faith” of their father Abraham.  As mentioned earlier, the apostle Paul calls them the “faith people,” explaining that YHVH had sown and hidden His treasured possession among the nations (ref. Romans 4:16-18; Genesis 17:5-6; see also Yeshua’s Parable of the Hidden Treasure, Matthew 13:44). 

There is no mistake; Scripture makes it clear that Isaac, the miracle child, was “called” out of death into life in fulfillment of the covenant made with Abraham and Sarah.  Thus, all who are of the faith are from the same father, Abraham, and mother, Sarah.  "Listen, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek YHVH: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him” (Isaiah 51:1-2).

Hebrew Insights into Parashat Va’yera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

 

“Va’yera,” which is translated as "he appeared," actually means "and he showed himself," and even more literally: “and he caused himself to be seen.”  “Yera” stems from the root r.a.h. (resh, alef, hey), meaning to "see".  Other derivatives include: "seen, to show, to be seen, and sight." Certainly, "seeing" plays a major role in this Parasha.  Yes, YHVH shows Himself to Avraham, but the latter had to see.  The opening statement in 18:1-2 reads thus: “YHVH appeared to him… and he lifted up his eyes and saw… three men!" This peculiar wording indicates that while looking, Avraham had to see beyond what met his eye. But before we continue, let us note that last week’s Parashat Lech Lecha also had its share of “seeing”, such as in 12:7, where it is ‘seen’ twice (as “appeared”), similar to the way it is used in our Parasha. Then there is the concern that the beautiful Sarai is “seen” by the Egyptians (12:12, 14). In 13:10 Lot “lifts up his eyes” and sees the expanse of land which appeals to him. However, Avram’s magnanimity pays off: in 13:14ff YHVH promises to give him all the land his eyes see (including Lot’s territory). Chapter 15 opens with Avram’s vision, then with “seeing” the stars, symbolic of his future progeny. Later, Hagar, carrying Avram’s child, “saw that she had conceived, and her mistress became despised in her eyes” (16:4). Because of the conflict between the two women, Hagar fled with her child. There, in the wilderness, she was met by an angel at a spring of water (“spring” is “ayin” in Hebrew, meaning also “eye”), “then she called the name of YHVH… You-Are-the-El-Who-Sees –Me - El Ro’i – for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’” (16:13). Even the well that was there, was to commemorate this “seeing”, by being named (by Hagar) the well of the Living-One-Who-Sees-Me (Be’er La’Hai Ro’i). This, then, forms the backdrop for all the “seeing” mentioned in our Parasha of Va’yera.

The principle promulgated by Yeshua in Matthew 25:40, namely, "inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me", is apparent throughout chapter 18.  Avraham (as he is called now) appears to be keenly aware of the fact that by entertaining strangers, one could unknowingly (or knowingly), be entertaining (at the very least), angels… (ref. Hebrew 13:2).  The strangers passing by, whether one of them is or is not YHVH Himself, are greeted by their host, in word and deed, with great respect and homage not unbefitting royalty. 

The passage at hand (in chapter 18) contains significant interplays between singular and plural* as in verse 3 Avraham addresses the three men who had just appeared to him as "Adonai" (“my Lords”) saying: “…If now I have found favor in your [single person] sight, pass not away from your [single person again] servant". Verses 4 and 5, however, use the second-person plural. But in verse 10, where the promise of the son to be born to Sarah within the year is pronounced, the address switches back to the singular (“and he said I will return”, italics added). YHVH is mentioned in verses 13 and 14 as the One addressing Avraham (in relation to Sarah’s response), while in v. 16 the “men rise up” and get ready to leave. From verse 17 onward, the scene changes altogether.  In the passage which commences here (describing Avraham's intercession on behalf of the cities of Sdom and Amora – Gomorrah - vs. 23-32), YHVH, and the men who until now seemed to represent Him, are referred to as totally separate entities: “And the men turned their faces away from there, and went toward Sodom. But Abraham still stood before YHVH” (v. 22). The blurred distinction (in regards to YHVH) within the three-person party leaves us baffled as to ‘who is who’ here, and raises the question whether there is a hidden message in this unusual and enigmatic text formulation. Later on, when Lot and the members of his family are being led out of Sdom by the messengers-visitors, there is a similar lack of distinction between YHVH and His ‘agents’ (ref. 19:16-21 with another interchange between singular and plural).* Thus, although this Parasha is characterized by ‘seeing’, the reader’s vision is often quite impaired (or challenged).

Back to chapter 18, where Avraham’s guests stand and view Sdom from a distance, while the Elohim who "showed Himself" to Avraham determines (v. 17) to (literally) not "cover" His plans from His servant, and to inform him what He was about to do (to Sdom and Amora).  YHVH then declares that He Himself aims to "come down and see if they had done according to the outcry that had come" to Him (18:21; italics added. As to “coming down”, cf. Gen. 11:5).  In this instance, the "seeing" is a symbolic "inspection" or a declaration of intent that will obviously be followed by action on YHVH’s part.  This “outcry” echoes in 19:13: “… we will destroy this place because the outcry against them has grown great…” 

After Avraham's bargaining scene with YHVH, we meet his nephew Lot sitting in the evening by the gate of Sdom (whereas his uncle had been sitting at the door of his tent in the heat of day).  Now it is his turn to "see" (19:1).  Lot greets the two messengers (quite likely of the same “threesome” who had visited his uncle) by rising up and bowing down, just as his relative had done.  He, too, offers to have his guests' feet washed and is anxious to provide them with refreshments.  As evening approaches, Lot also offers them a place for the night, which they are very reluctant to accept (or are they simply testing him?), and do so only after much imploring by their host.  The meal served by Avraham under the tree was far more peaceful than the feast at Lot's house in the city of Sdom (notice that up until now each reference to “city” has been connected to wickedness, Kayin built a city, ref. 4:17; Nimrod was a city builder, ref. 10:11-12; the builders of the tower of Babel intended to build a city (ref. 11:4). Before Lot’s guests retire, the town's evil men surround the house (ref. 19:4, 5). The messengers, however, quickly and supernaturally blind the would-be assailants' eyes (ref. 19:11). Next, Lot tries to talk his family into leaving town, but his sons-in-law take it as a joke ("laughing" is the Hebrew word in verse 14). This laughter, however, is only short-lived, as in verse 25 YHVH overthrows the two cities, and in verse 28 Avraham is mentioned watching (literally “seeing” - “vayar” - of the root r.a.h) “the smoke of the country”. Aside from seeing, “looking” is also mentioned. In verse 17, YHVH warns Lot and his family not to “look behind” them, at the destruction that He was about to inflict. However, Lot’s wife's disobedience led to her demise – she turned into a pillar of salt (v. 26).

Laughter also marked the aforementioned scene with Avraham and his guests.  The three visitors came in order to reaffirm, once again, the promise of a son. Sarah, who overheard this conversation, laughed in her tent and later denied it (18:12-15).  What’s more, this is not the last time that she is seen laughing.  After giving birth, exactly within the year as YHVH had declared, Sarah says, "Elohim has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of it will laugh at me" (21:6 italics added).  “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian… mocking” (the word is again “laughing,” v. 9, italics added). "Seeing" this “laughter” results in the banishment of Hagar and her son Yishmael (Ishmael). The banished handmaiden wanders in the wilderness by Beer Sheva, and when her drinking water is used up, she places her son under a shrub and exclaims: “Let me not see the death of the boy.  And she … lifted up her voice and cried" (v. 16, italics added). “And Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave drink to the boy” (v. 19 italics added). 

Hagar's eyes are opened in the wilderness of Beer Sheva. The episode that follows (21:22–32) explains the meaning of that town’s name.  Beer Sheva is literally "the well of seven".  The words “adjure, charge, and oath” share the same root (sh.v.a, shin, bet/vet, ayin). “Satisfaction, or to have had enough” (especially regarding food), is “sovah”, being of the same root (although the letter “shin”, the “sh” sound, is modified to a “sin” - “s” sound).  The usage of the number seven is often indicative of “fullness” and “completeness”, and as such, it is also a solemn promise or an oath that can be guaranteed simply by repeating it seven times (or by using multiples of seven).  The connection between these two words ("seven" and "oath") is well illustrated here in our story, namely in Avraham and Avimelech's settlement.  Avraham places seven (“sheva”) ewe lambs before Avimelech as a witness that he dug the well now under dispute.  Afterward, "he called that place Beer Sheva, because there the two of them took an oath (sh'vu'ah, v. 31)". In Matthew 18:21, Peter proclaims that forgiving up to seven times is sufficient.  Yeshua, of course, goes beyond that, but He too stays within the ‘realm of seven,’ saying, "up to seventy times seven” (v. 22).  Truly, “…The words of YHVH are pure words; as silver… refined seventy times" (Ps.  12:6). The figure ‘seventy’ tells us that His words promise to guarantee full satisfaction.  "…On the day when YHVH binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted… the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days" (Is. 30:26).  Again, the guarantee of fullness in the form of "sevens" renders it like an oath.  Sunrise and sunset define any given day, just as the sun and moon control the length of the months and seasons of the Biblical year.  The seven-day week, however, seems quite arbitrary, but is it?  Elohim created the world in six days and then added one more at the end, setting it apart for rest, remembrance, and declaration.  The sanctification of the seventh day, the commemoration of the number "seven" (in naming the “week” “shavu’a”), the fullness and completeness of what Elohim has accomplished, and its guaranteed fulfillment are all innately expressed in the Hebrew language by the root sh/s.v.a: "In Your presence there is fullness ("sova") of joy; I will be satisfied (“es'be'ah”) with Your likeness when I awake" (Ps. 16:11 & 17:15). To seal off the episode of Avraham’s test, YHVH declares: "By Myself I have sworn – nish’ba’ti - ’ says YHVH, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only one, blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your seed…” (22:16-17 italics added). 

This blessing is the peak of Avraham’s tests, known as the "binding of Yitzchak (Isaac)", or “Akedat Yitzchak”.  But before we examine the Akeda, we cannot dismiss the fact that Avraham was very upset when Elohim told him to listen to Sarah and send away Hagar and her son. Thus, before being told to sacrifice Yitzchak, he also had to give up Yishma’el, whom he held as his son, while Elohim called the latter “the son of the handmaiden” (as did Sarah; Ref. 21:10-13). After a three-day journey, set off by the words “lech le’cha”, with Yitzchak and two of his servants “…Avraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar…” (22:4 italics added).  Responding to his son's question as to the whereabouts of the lamb for the sacrifice, Avraham says, "Elohim will see for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (v. 8 literal translation, italics added).  YHVH does indeed "see" (translated as “provide”) a substitute for Yitzchak in the form of a ram…  "And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and behold, a ram was caught in the thicket by his horns.  And Abraham called the name of the place ‘YHVH Yir'eh - will see’ - as it is said to this day - 'it shall be seen on the mountain of YHVH'" (v.13-14 emphasis added). Very fast forward, in fact, millennia later, the following (some more about seeing AND about a lamb) is inscribed in Scripture: “The next day Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).   

In the opening verses of our Parasha, we see Avraham “seeing” YHVH with his “inner eyes” and discernment, even when he sees three men.  YHVH is also seen as the One who reveals His "secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7) prior to judging Sdom and Amora, though not before doing His own "seeing" of the state of affairs there (ref. 18:21). Further, His messengers' aura of light impairs the vision of the spiritually blind.  Avimelech sees YHVH in a dream which prevents him from sinning with Sarah (ref. 20:3, 4).  What the latter “sees” (ref. 21:9) causes her to send Hagar and Yishmael away, but their needs are “seen to” by YHVH in the wilderness (ref. 21:014-19).  Finally, YHVH is the One who “sees” (present tense) the sacrificial Lamb He provides for all time (ref. 22:8, 14). And so, as in the beginning, so in the end of the Parasha, YHVH reveals Himself.  More on Avraham’s, this time long-range vision is found in the words of Yeshua who declared to the Pharisees: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). Quite likely this is connected to Avraham’s statement regarding the future “lamb for the sacrifice”. 

Earlier we noticed that Avraham was sitting at the tent door “in the heat of the day” (18:1), denoting daylight, while Lot was sitting at the gate of the city of Sdom “in the evening” (19:1), denoting darkness (cf. John 3:19, 8:12, 12:35, 46; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:5,7). But throughout the Parasha, the expression “early in the morning” keeps recurring. In three of five cases it relates to Avraham (19:27; 21:14; 22:3), and in one to Avimelech (20:8), but Lot also uses this term when addressing his angelic guests (192). “And he rose early” is rendered each time as “va’yashkem,” from the root sh.ch.m (shin, kaf/chaf, mem), which also applies to the word “shoulder.” This is illustrated very graphically in 21:14: “And Abraham rose up early - “va-yashkem” - in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder - ”shichma” -  (italics added). The connection between those two terms is thought to be rooted in the very reason for rising early: to put one’s shoulders to work. However, the two examples (out of the three) of Avraham’s early rising and setting to do as he is told (“Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice” – 21:12, and “… so Abraham… took… Isaac his son… then they came to a place that Elohim had told him, 22:3, 9), have a common theme. In each of those, Avraham is told to give up his son, his firstborn. But whereas in the first instance, which appears to be a rehearsal for the second, he reacts (21:11), when the second episode comes around he obeys implicitly (see 22:12b). Interestingly, Avraham, whose original call was “lech lecha” (12:1), words with which he complied without as much as blinking an eyelid, was once again addressed by these very words (as we noted last week) when he was told by YVHVH to go to Mount Moriah and there offer up his son (ref. 22:2). 

In 19:37 and 38 we learn of the origin of the Moabites and the Ammonites. The fact that they are the product of an incestuous relationship is expressed by the name of the older of the two: “Mo’av” stems from “m’av”, meaning “from a father”, as the boy had been begotten by his mother’s father (his own grandfather). The second boy’s mother names him “Ben Ami” (Ammon), meaning “son of my people”, which is also a reference to the close family tie. Lot’s daughters’ conduct is not surprising, as earlier on when the men of Sdom demanded that he hand over his guests to them, their father attempted to offer these two daughters in place of the visitors (ref. 19:4-8). If Ham, and especially his son, Kna’an, were cursed for revealing the father’s nakedness (Gen. 9:24, 25), the same, and more, would be applicable to Lot’s descendants, Moav, and Amon. 

*In all these cases, this is much more pronounced in the Hebrew original than in the translations, one reason being that in English there is no distinction between you singular and plural, which there is in Hebrew. 

 

The Son of Promise

 

“But it is not that the word of Elohim has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.  For this is the word of promise: ‘At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son’” (Romans 9:6-9 emphases added).

As we continue to follow the line of the firstborn and the transition from an individual to a nation, it is paramount that we not confuse YHVH’s plan for the salvation of mankind with the establishment of His kingdom order, although the two are intricately connected.  Thus, the “son of promise” is not to be confused with Yeshua, as is often the case.  Paul is very clear, “…and Sarah shall have a son.”

When YHVH, in the form of a man, visited Abraham, accompanied by two other persons, He reiterated the promise of the son.  YHVH's humility in appearing to him must have strengthened and built up Abraham’s faith.  But as if that were not enough, the Creator also specified a date and pointed out that the conception of the son was tantamount to His very presence.  Here is what He said to Abraham:  “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” (Genesis 18:10 emphasis added).  Indeed, this was a miracle in the making!  YHVH was going to intervene in a dead womb and bring forth life.  Although both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the prospect, Isaac's conception depended entirely on the Spirit of the Creator and Sustainer of Life, and on His response to the faith of one man, our father Abraham.  Paul refers in his writings to this mystery child who was born according to the Spirit:  “But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the freewoman through promise…But, as he [Ishmael] who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him [Isaac] who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now” (Galatians 4:23, 29). Obviously, the flesh and spirit are still in conflict today, but so are Ishmael and Isaac. 

YHVH told Abraham that in one year’s time Sarah would have the child of promise.  And what a year it was!  It began with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  At the time, Abraham lived so close to the fire and sulfur-filled air that he was forced to move to Gerar in the Negev (between Kadesh and Shur).  There is no indication that Abraham (the family redeemer) knew the eventual fate of his nephew Lot and family, although his plea-bargaining with YHVH may have assured him that Elohim would spare his brother’s son (ref. Genesis 18:23-32), which He did.  That deliverance led to the birth of two other firstborns in Terah's family: Moab and Ammon (Genesis 19:31-38).  Later, after becoming nations, these two would join other firstborns (according to the flesh) and try to destroy Israel, YHVH’s firstborn nation (ref. Psalm 83).

While in Gerar, the father of the faith again handed his wife over to another man, the local ruler Abimelech.  He did so for no reason other than the one that had compelled him to hand her over to Pharaoh: to protect his own life.  At the same time, YHVH was about to teach yet another king the lesson which He had taught the Egyptian monarch.  YHVH came to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that his death was imminent along with that of his entire household, should he not give back Abraham’s wife.  YHVH also told Abimelech that Abraham was one of His prophets (ref. Genesis 20:7). The affair ended with Abimelech blessing Abraham materially, just as Pharaoh had done.

The stage was now set for the “son of the promise” to come on the scene.  His father was the recipient of great wealth and of a covenant of peace with the local ruler.  At last, the family could settle down and await the birth of the miracle child whose progeny was destined to influence humanity in multiple ways.

At a later point in the history of the seed, the apostle Paul makes the following observation:  “As it is written, ‘I have made you [Abraham] a father of many nations’ in the presence of Him whom he believed -- Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did [Isaac]; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he [Abraham] became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your SEED be’” (Romans 4:17-18).  This statement highlights the covenant of multiplicity that YHVH was already in the process of bringing into being from the dead and barren womb of Sarah, truly calling those things that do not exist as though they did. 

Hebrew Insights into Parashat Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1 - 17:27)

 Avram, whom we met at the end of last week's Parasha, is now singled out from his kin and community. He is commanded to go forth and leave behind him his native country, heritage, culture, and above all his relatives (12:1, cf. Ruth 2:11). The expression "lech [“go”] lecha" (“for yourself") can best be rendered in English as the emphatic: "go forth" or even better, the colloquial "get yourself going!” The alliteration makes it especially forceful and commanding as those two words, despite a vowel difference, are spelled identically. The would-be patriarch will hear another “lech lecha” when, in the future, YHVH will charge him to, “take now your son, your only one, Isaac, whom you love, and lech lecha to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you" (22:2). His obedient response to the first “lech lecha”, with its ensuing results, will enable Avraham (as he will be named) to respond similarly when the familiar voice will call him again.  At the time when “the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell”, it is then that the Bridegroom says to the Bride: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and “lechi – feminine for “lech” - lach – feminine for "lecha" – ‘go forth for yourself’” (Song of Solomon 2:11-13, 10). Total and implicit faith and trust, as well as obedient abandonment, appear to be the path leading to the season of fruitfulness and?serenity?(although?not?without?tests),?as?described?inShir?HaShirim?(Song?of?Songs?Songs/Solomon). Toward the end of the? Parasha Abraham is told, “Walk before me and be perfect/blameless”(17:1). The one who was able to fulfill the first call, of “walking”, and the second one, which will be an even greater challenge, is called upon to embark on a “journey of the heart”. 

Avram is promised many descendants and a great blessing that will also extend to those who bless his progeny. In fact, his seed is destined to be a blessing to "all the families of the earth" (12:3). “Family” is “mishpacha”, of the root sh.f.ch (shin, pey/fey, chet), which is also the root for a word found in 16:1 of our Parasha, “shifcha” – “handmaiden” (in reference to Hagar). The root sh.f.ch (shin, pey/fey, chet) means to “join a family”, implying that one’s servants (in this case, the female servant) were to be treated and looked upon as an extension of one’s kin. 

“Blessing”, which is "bracha", appears five times in 12:2, 3 in several forms. The consonants b.r.ch (bet, resh, kaf) also make up the root for “knee” ("berech"). Bowing the knee is always associated with humility ("to Me every knee shall bow…" Is. 45:23). Thus, experiencing a blessing humbles its recipient, stirring him to bend or bow the knee in gracious thankfulness. However, he who “curses you, I will curse”. The first “curse” is “mekalelecha”, k.l.l. pertaining to “weightless, light”, and hence of ‘light esteem’ (as we noted last week in Parashat Noach). In our Parasha k.l.l is mentioned several times in relation to Hagar’s attitude toward Sarai. In 16:4 and 5, “despise/d” is “to lightly esteem”. The second reference to “curse” (v. 3 above) – a’or – of the root a.r.r (alef, resh, resh) first appeared in B’resheet 3:14 and 17, in reference to the curse upon the serpent who was to crawl on its belly and eat the soil, and then to the curse upon the ground, whose fruitfulness was to be obtained with great toil. 

Could these earlier pronouncements (in the ”Garden") portray?the?conditions?which?will?apply/to?those?who would?esteem?lightly[the?nation/people?(“goy”)?that?was to?come?out>of>Avram’s>loins? 

After these promises of blessing and a nation, Elohim promises land in 12:7. Upon hearing this word, Avram builds an altar and moves on, only to erect another one in the next location. The following two verses (8,9) mention three of the four directions of the wind: “east, west, and south”. In Biblical Hebrew, there are several words for each of these, with the ones used here being "kedem", "yam", and "negev", while in 13:14 mention is made of all of those with the addition of “north,” which is "tzafon".

The root for east - “kedem” - is k.d.m (kof, dalet, mem), with its primary meaning being "before" or "in front of". Thus, its derivatives are to “greet” or “meet" (Deut. 23:4; Mic. 6:6), "early”, and "first". Words such as "old" and "ancient" also stem from "kedem", as we see in Micah 5:2 regarding Messiah’s origins (another example being the “everlasting hills” promised to Yoseph in Deut. 33:15, as well as the term "kadmoni" – “ancient” - in 1st Sam. 24:13). The root k.d.m therefore reveals an interesting approach to the dimensions of time and space. That which is "in front" is also that which is "early", from “antiquity” and of the “past”. Thus, “kedem”, the “eastern”, denotes what is “ahead” and, at the same time, what was. Kohelet (Ecclesiastics) 1:9 says: “That which has been is that which shall be”, a fact that is certainly true of our Elohim, “who is, and who was, and who is coming” (Rev. 11:17), “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [kedem] things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:10).  "Kadim" is the east wind which many times spells blight and dryness (e.g., Job 27:21; Ps. 48:7), while the prophet Y’chezkel (Ezekiel) saw the glory of the Elohim of Yisrael coming from the same direction ("kadim", i.e., the “east”, in 43:1,2). One of the best-known uses of "kedem" appears in B'resheet (Genesis) 3:24, referring to the place where Elohim expelled our renegade ancestors: "east of Eden". Finally, in 15:19, “Kadmonites” are mentioned as part of a people group, which may just be a generic term for people from the “east”. “

West” here is "yam". Yam means “sea,” and since the "Great Sea" (the Mediterranean) shore runs the entire length of Israel's western side, it has’become synonymous?with/that?direction. “Negev” is the word here for “south”, and is used to denote wilderness and dryness, yet in Y’chezkel 20:47 reference is made to the “forest land of the negev". It is the very same prophecy that speaks of the fires that would consume every tree there (as indeed they have); fires (of judgment) brought about that region’s dryness, bareness, and desolation. The last direction is "north" - “tzafon” - the root of which is tz.f.n (tzadi, pe/fe, noon), and means to “conceal or hide". The same word is used when Moshe (Moses) was hidden from view for the first three months of his life (Ex. 2:2). In T’hilim/Psalms 27:5 we read about being hidden by YHVH in His succah (booth), and in 83:3 about YHVH’s “hidden ones”. The north also conceals evil, and it is from there that "evil will break forth", according to Y’rmiyahu’s (Jeremiah) prophecy (1: 4). The proud king of Babylon declares his position to be "on the mount of the assembly in the far north" (Is. 14:13), words that are countered by the Elohim of Yisrael in T’hilim 48:1,2, proclaiming that His holy mountain, Mount Tziyon (Zion), is in the far north. 

After receiving the promise of a land extending in every direction, and a seed so numerous (rendering it) too great to count (13:14-16), Avram builds another altar, this time in Aloney Mamreh, which is Chevron (Hebron). From there, he set out to rescue his nephew Lot. Here (14:13) we first encounter the term "Hebrew", "ivri", attached to Avram's name, after his ancestor Ever, whom we mentioned last week. Indeed, Avram is now entitled to this ‘label’ as he ‘crossed over’, both physically and spiritually. When he returns, having successfully accomplished his mission, the king of S’dom (Sodom) greets him in the Valley of Shaveh (14:17). “Shaveh” means “equality, agreement, or resemblance,” and here probably an “even plain.” “I have set YHVH always before me” (Ps. 16:8) reads in Hebrew: “I have envisioned [or imagined] – shiviti -YHVH before me… " "Shiviti" indicates seeing Him at one’s own eye level (as He is near to those who call upon Him). The valley of “shaveh” is also called the “King’s Valley” (singular) and appears to be where Avram meets another king. His encounter with the king of S’dom, in this 'valley or plain of evenness', is interrupted by the appearance (at ‘eye level’) of another monarch (14:18), Malchitzedek, king of Shalem?(Salem). 

The root of “shalem” (sh.l.m - shin, lamed, mem), is “perfection, wholeness, completeness, and requital”. This king, whose name means "king of righteousness", is also a priest of the Most-High Elohim (“El Elyon”). Thus, in his persona are met the two offices of king and priest (ref. Zec. 6:13). In his blessing to Avram, whom he serves with bread and wine, Malchitzedek invokes “El Elyon” (“Most High God”), calling Him "possessor of heaven and earth" (14:19). "Possessor" here is "koneh", meaning "buyer" or “purchaser”, thus connoting redeemer (of heaven and earth). (Remember Chava exclaiming: "I have purchased/acquired a man from YHVH", which we examined in Parashat B’resheet?). Malchitzedek gives thanks once again to "El Elyon", who has "delivered Avram's enemies into his hand" (ref. 14:20), using “migen” for "delivered", which stems from the root g.n.n. (gimmel, noon, noon) meaning "shield or protection", and also used for “gan”–“garden”- such as in Gan Eden (YHVH's protected area of delight).Eden?(YHVH’s protected area of delight). 

Avram gives his newly-met acquaintance "a tenth (‘ma'aser’) of all", an act which concludes this encounter (14:20). At this point, the text recaptures Avram's tryst with the king of S’dom, but the language of the next few verses seems to be colored by what had just taken place in the encounter with the king of Shalem. Upon being offered the spoils of the war, Avram answers the king of S’dom by mentioning the name of YHVH, repeating the expression "El Elyon - Most High God - the purchaser of heaven and earth" (v. 22). He then refuses the king’s offer, on the grounds that it should not be said that he had been made rich by the latter (ref. v. 23). The word for "rich" is "ashir", of the same root as "eser"- "ten" (the consonant for "sh" and "s" being one and the same, differentiated by a slight vowel change when used as an “s” or a “sh”), from which we get the “tenth part” or the “tithe”?(ma’aser)? that?Avram” had” just?given?to Melchizedek.* 

As this scene with the king of S’dom fades, another one comes into view – the description of a vision in which YHVH speaks to Avram: "Fear not Avram, I am your shield…" (15:1). The word used here for "shield" is "mah’gen", a variation of which we saw in Malchizedek's blessing?of/Avram?a few verses above.  Thus, the echo of that dramatic meeting continues to accompany the events that follow it. 

When Avram wonders what it is that “Adonai YHVH”, who promised him a great reward, will give him "seeing that [he is] childless…" (15:2), he is granted a promise of a son. Again, he is told his progeny will be numerous. It says, literally, that Avram "believed in YHVH" (v. 6). The root of "believe" is a.m.n (alef, mem, noon) from which we get the term "amen". It is also the root word for “trust, steady, faithful”, and nurse” (Num. 11:12), “guardian” (2 Kings 10:1), and for “bringing up and training” (Esther 2:7). Proverbs/Mishley 8 cites the call of Wisdom-personified. In verses 29-30 Wisdom says, "When He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was the craftsman at His side…" The word here for "craftsman" is "amon", once again, stemming from the root a.m.n. Faith, therefore, is the act of believing which involves 1) training, and 2) action - in other words, practice. Putting convictions into practice is guaranteed many a time by a covenant. Thus, in Ne’chem’ya (Nehemiah) 9:38 we see the people making “a sure covenant”, which in that particular text depicts the root a.m.n again and is therefore termed “amana”. Based on this understanding, the Apostle Ya'acov (James) writes: "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (1:22; 2:17). 

Avram experiences an awe-inspiring vision (see 15:12-17), in which the covenant is confirmed. In Hebrew, the experience and the covenant are called “habrit ben habtarim” - "the covenant between the cut-up pieces”. The infinitive of “cut up” - "ba'ter" - also means to “dissect” or “dismember” (15:10). In 15:17 those pieces are called "gzarim", from the verb “gazor", meaning, once again, "cut up". Verse 18 says, "On that day YHVH cut [literally] a covenant with Avram…" This time the word for "cut" is "ka’rot" (also used frequently for cutting down trees). These powerful verbs point to the covenant's irrevocability and certainty. It is no wonder that the very sign of the covenant itself involves a cutting - a removal of the foreskin - which is recorded in 17:10-14, after Yishmael's birth and Avram's name change, augmented by the words: “The uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off [stemming from “ka’rot”] from his people…” (17:14 italics added). But there is more to the “cutting”, the very word “covenant”, brit, originates with b.r.t (bet, resh, tav), meaning to cut or fell (a tree). 

Yishmael’s birth resulted from Sarah resorting to a common practice of surrogate parenthood (as Rachel and Leah also did, giving their maids to their husband in Gen. 30:3-5,9-13, and Joseph, who had his grandson’s wife give birth “on his knees”, as it were). See Gen. 50:23, to make his great-grandchildren his own. This is how Sarah approached her husband: “See now, YHVH has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her. And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai (16:2). The literal rendition of “obtain children by her” is “I will be built – e’ba’neh’ – by/through her”.  Above, we examined the word “mishpacha” – family. “Family” may be likened to a building, which grows tier by tier, floor by floor. No wonder the apostles referred to the body of believers as to a building, and used the imagery of stones to describe it (see 1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:1; Eph. 2:21; 1 Pet. 2:5). Sarai too had the same idea in mind when she said, “I will be built by her [Hagar the maid]”.  The root word b.n.a (bet, noon, hey), “build,” unsurprisingly contains the word “ben,” son.  Thus, when Sarah expected the maid to help her out, she thought of “being built up by having a son”. However, the matriarch soon discovered that Hagar was not about to merely “lend” her womb. She had other notions. When Sarai discerned Hagar’s ambitions, she was?forced?to?send?her?away?(see 21:9ff). 

In 17:4,5 Elohim declares that He is changing Av’ram’s name from “exalted father” to Avra'ham because he will become “a father to multitudes” of nations. Technically, this name change involves adding only the letter - "hey" - (comparable to "h"), which stands for the word "hamon", meaning “a multitude”. Hamon is of the root verb "hama", which is “boisterous, noisy, or roaring”. Thus. the promised multitude was to become teeming, and rather loud at that! This "hamon" was to be made up of nations or peoples (“goyim”). The addition of the letter “hey” could also refer to its two appearances in YHVH’s name, or to its shortened form, “Yah”. Interestingly, all the lofty promises to Avraham, along with the institution of circumcision, are couched in very brief but concise terms so characteristic of Biblical Hebrew.ur text, therefore, provides a good example of the compactness and conciseness that are so 

Sarai's destiny also changes with a single letter (17:15). The last letter of her name, being "yod" (comparable to “y”), is exchanged for a "hey", making her Sarah, "a princess", who will not only mother a son, but “nations and kings of nations” are also?to?come?from?her?(v.16). 

During the name change of the would-be parents, YHVH does not forget the offspring. Since Avraham laughs at the prospect of having a child, seeing that he and his wife are so old (ref. 17:14), he is told to name this future son Yitzchak, meaning, "he will laugh". No doubt, in the end, the One who will have the last laugh in this story will be the One responsible for giving this name, the One who also “sits in the heavens and laughs”?(Ps.2:4).?And?as?we?shall?see?next?week, there?is?more?laughter?to?come.

The Seal of the Covenant

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, YHVH appeared to Abram and said, ‘I am Almighty Elohim; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.’ Then Abram fell on his face, and Elohim talked with him, saying: ‘As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations’... ‘I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.  And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant’” (Genesis 17:1-4, 6-7).

Thirteen years had passed since Ishmael’s birth, and by this time Abram felt this son would inherit all his property and promises.  However, YHVH was still grooming and preparing His firstborn, Abram, by continuing to put him to the test.  YHVH was also about to make an addition to the covenant.  As you recall, the first time He met with Abram, YHVH imparted to him the promise that he will be a “goy” (nation).  Now He tells His friend that he will be the father of “goyim” - nations (plural).  Elohim was not only going to make the seed as “the dust of the earth and the stars of heaven,” but His plan also included its proliferation into nations.

Abram was so overwhelmed by YHVH’s words that he fell on his face before Him.  Because of Abram’s proven devotion, YHVH was about to seal His covenant with him by the patriarch’s own blood.  “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.  He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations… My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:10-13).

The fact that this covenant was going to be stamped upon the very flesh of Abram and his descendants serves to indicate that this is a ‘down-to-earth’ covenant, made evident in ‘flesh and blood’ reality, yet governed from the heavens by the mighty right arm of the Creator.  This covenantal seal was also accompanied by a name change:  “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations” (goyim) (Genesis 17:5).  The Almighty Husbandman was going to take the seed/life of Abraham and sow it into all nations, tribes, and kindred of tongues and peoples.  Moreover, this seed would be marked by the faith that characterized its progenitor.  The prophet Hosea foretold of this great day of YHVH’s sowing:  “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered… And they shall come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel [Yah will sow]!” (Hosea 1:10-11).

No sooner did Abraham look up from being face down and hearing this tremendous promised blessing, when the Almighty’s tone suddenly changed into what sounded to the old patriarch like an amusing impossibility:  “‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.  And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.’ Then Abraham fell on his face [again] and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old?  And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’  And Abraham said to Elohim, ‘Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!’  Then Elohim said: ‘No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants/seed after him’” (Genesis 17:15-19).

YHVH is committed to continuing the line and the blessings that He bestows upon those who belong to Him.  Because the first twenty patriarchs in YHVH’s genealogy all had normal births, Abraham naturally assumed that Ishmael, his firstborn, would inherit the princely position.  Notice what Abraham says about him, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”  But the only one who can “live before YHVH” is the one who is called and chosen for that purpose.  Eliezer of Damascus did not qualify, and neither does Ishmael.  Many years later, the nation of Israel/Ephraim will say: "He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him” (Hosea 6:2 NAS).

This covenant YHVH made with Abraham through Sarah was no small matter; He staked His name on it.  A sign of this fact was the name change:  Abram to Abra-h-am and Sarai to Sara-h.  The Hebrew letter “hey” that was added to their names often signifies Y-H-V-H, where it appears twice.  Thus, keeping this covenant was not going to depend on man, but on the faithfulness of the Creator, Yah, Who initiated it, declared it, and would therefore accomplish it.  In fact, this covenant would govern all of human history. 

To establish the line of the firstborn-redeemer and inheritor of the covenant promises, YHVH’s involvement was required so a seed could emerge from a dead womb.  In the future, His committed oversight will also be required to see the covenant promises implemented through to completion or fulfillment.  So the beginning of the life of the son of promise would be marked by divine intervention unlike that of any other child born to the human race (except Yeshua).  Sarah’s son was destined to be a miracle child and a testimony to “life from the dead,” signifying redemption. 

After Abraham laughed at YHVH’s puzzling words, the Creator told him to name his son Isaac (“Yitzchak” in Hebrew, meaning “he will laugh”) because, through him and his seed, He, YHVH, would have the last laugh... (see Psalm 2).