Genesis 26:35 says: "which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah."
This verse refers to Isaac and Rebekah's disappointment and sorrow caused by their son Esau's choice of wives. He married Hittite women (women from the local population who worshiped other gods).
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They grieved Isaac's and Rebekah's spirits": This means Esau's wives brought emotional pain and distress to Isaac and Rebekah. The Hebrew word translated as "grief" or "grieving" implies a deep-seated sorrow and vexation of the spirit.
Why did they grieve them?:
Cultural and Religious Differences: The Hittite women were likely not followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Marrying outside the covenant people was a concern because it could lead to idolatry and a dilution of their faith.
Family Loyalty and Heritage: Isaac and Rebekah likely wanted their sons to marry within their own people, preserving their cultural identity and traditions. Esau's choices went against this desire.
Future Generations: They likely worried about the impact of these marriages on their grandchildren and the future of their family's faith.
In essence, Esau's marriages were a source of profound disappointment and sorrow for Isaac and Rebekah, causing them spiritual and emotional anguish. This sets the stage for later events in the narrative, particularly Jacob's deception to receive Isaac's blessing, which was partly motivated by Rebekah's desire to prevent Jacob from marrying Canaanite women.
Genesis 26:35 says: "which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah."
This verse refers to Isaac and Rebekah's disappointment and sorrow caused by their son Esau's choice of wives. He married Hittite women (women from the local population who worshiped other gods).
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They grieved Isaac's and Rebekah's spirits": This means Esau's wives brought emotional pain and distress to Isaac and Rebekah. The Hebrew word translated as "grief" or "grieving" implies a deep-seated sorrow and vexation of the spirit.
Why did they grieve them?:
Cultural and Religious Differences: The Hittite women were likely not followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Marrying outside the covenant people was a concern because it could lead to idolatry and a dilution of their faith.
Family Loyalty and Heritage: Isaac and Rebekah likely wanted their sons to marry within their own people, preserving their cultural identity and traditions. Esau's choices went against this desire.
Future Generations: They likely worried about the impact of these marriages on their grandchildren and the future of their family's faith.
In essence, Esau's marriages were a source of profound disappointment and sorrow for Isaac and Rebekah, causing them spiritual and emotional anguish. This sets the stage for later events in the narrative, particularly Jacob's deception to receive Isaac's blessing, which was partly motivated by Rebekah's desire to prevent Jacob from marrying Canaanite women.