Genesis 25:22

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

And the children {H1121} struggled together {H7533} within her {H7130}; and she said {H559}, If it be so, why am I thus {H2088}? And she went {H3212} to enquire {H1875} of the LORD {H3068}.

The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI,

But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, wherefore do I live? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.

Commentary

Genesis 25:22 describes a pivotal moment in the pregnancy of Rebekah, wife of Isaac, as she carries twin sons, Jacob and Esau. This verse vividly portrays her distress and her faithful response to an unusual internal struggle.

Context

Following the narrative of Abraham's lineage and Isaac's marriage, this verse sets the stage for the birth of Jacob and Esau, who would become the patriarchs of two nations, Israel and Edom. Rebekah had been barren for twenty years before Isaac prayed for her (Genesis 25:21). The intense "struggle" within her womb was not merely discomfort but a profound, almost violent, interaction between the unborn children, causing Rebekah such perplexity and pain that she questioned her very existence or purpose in bearing them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Purpose and Conflict: The struggle within Rebekah's womb foreshadows the lifelong rivalry between Jacob and Esau and the distinct destinies of the nations that would descend from them. It points to God's sovereign plan, even amidst human discomfort and confusion, setting the stage for the prophecy given in the very next verse.
  • Rebekah's Faith and Piety: Faced with an inexplicable and distressing situation, Rebekah's immediate response is not to despair or seek human remedies, but to "enquire of the LORD." This demonstrates her deep trust in God and her understanding that true answers come from Him. Her action sets a precedent for seeking divine wisdom in challenging circumstances.
  • God's Accessibility: The narrative implies that God was accessible to Rebekah, and she knew how to approach Him for guidance. This highlights the personal relationship individuals could have with the Creator, even in the patriarchal era, demonstrating that God hears and responds to the sincere inquiries of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to enquire of the LORD" translates the Hebrew darash YHWH (דָּרַשׁ יְהוָה). The verb darash (דָּרַשׁ) means "to seek," "to consult," or "to inquire," often with the connotation of earnestness and diligence. It signifies seeking divine revelation, guidance, or instruction, typically through prayer, prophecy, or priestly consultation. Rebekah's act was a profound spiritual consultation, seeking understanding directly from God about the mysterious events unfolding within her, a practice seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., 1 Kings 22:5).

Practical Application

Rebekah's example offers timeless lessons for believers today. When faced with confusing, painful, or inexplicable circumstances—especially those that challenge our understanding or well-being—our first response should be to turn to God. Rather than relying solely on human reason or becoming overwhelmed by distress, we are encouraged to bring our questions and anxieties before the Lord in prayer. God is willing and able to provide understanding, comfort, and direction, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult. Her inquiry led directly to the prophetic revelation about the two nations and their differing destinies, underscoring the enduring value of seeking His face.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 9:9

    (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

  • 1 Samuel 28:6

    And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

  • Ezekiel 20:31

    For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

  • 1 Samuel 30:8

    And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake [them], and without fail recover [all].

  • 1 Samuel 10:22

    Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

  • Ezekiel 36:37

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

  • 1 Samuel 22:15

    Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute [any] thing unto his servant, [nor] to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
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