Genesis 25:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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,

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:22 describes Rebekah's profound distress during her pregnancy with twin sons, Jacob and Esau, due to their intense struggle within her womb. This pivotal moment vividly portrays her perplexity and her faithful response to seek divine understanding directly from the Lord, highlighting her piety and foreshadowing the future conflict and distinct destinies of the nations that would descend from her sons.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 25:22 is situated within the patriarchal narratives, specifically following Isaac's marriage to Rebekah and his fervent prayer for her barrenness, which God answered after twenty years ([Genesis 25:21](/genesis/25-21 "Isaac's prayer for Rebekah")). This verse sets the immediate stage for the birth of Jacob and Esau, future progenitors of Israel and Edom, by depicting the unusual and distressing internal struggle between the unborn children, a struggle so perplexing that Rebekah questioned her very purpose in bearing them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 25:22 details a crucial moment in Rebekah's pregnancy, revealing both her physical discomfort and her spiritual depth:

* **"And the children struggled together within her"**: The Hebrew verb `וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ` (vayitrotzatzu), translated "struggled together," conveys a sense of violent, almost crushing, movement. This was not typical fetal activity but an intense, disruptive conflict, foreshadowing the lifelong rivalry between Jacob and Esau and the eventual national conflict between their descendants, Israel and Edom. The struggle within the womb is a microcosm of the larger historical drama to unfold.
* **"and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus?"**: Rebekah's lament (`אִם־כֵּן לָמָּה זֶּה אָנֹכִי`) expresses profound perplexity and distress rather than despair. Her question, "why am I thus?" or "why am I alive?" in this state, reflects a theological inquiry into the meaning or purpose of such a difficult and confusing pregnancy. It suggests she perceived the struggle as more than physical, prompting her to seek divine explanation.
* **"And she went to enquire of the LORD"**: This is Rebekah's faithful and decisive response. Faced with an inexplicable and distressing situation, her immediate action is to seek divine counsel. This demonstrates her deep piety, her trust in God's accessibility, and her understanding that true answers to life's profound mysteries come from Him, rather than relying on human reason or succumbing to her distress. 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 ([1 Kings 22:5](/1_kings/22-5 "Consulting the LORD in 1 Kings 22:5")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Predestination:** The struggle within Rebekah's womb, even before birth, points to God's preordained plan for Jacob and Esau, and the nations descending from them. It highlights that God's purposes are established independently of human merit or action, as revealed in the subsequent verse ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau")).
* **Human Suffering and Divine Inquiry:** Rebekah's distress and questioning (`why am I thus?`) acknowledge the reality of suffering and confusion in life, even for those blessed by God. Her response models a faithful approach: rather than succumbing to despair, she turns to God for understanding, affirming His role as the ultimate source of wisdom.
* **Accessibility of God:** Rebekah's direct "enquiry of the LORD" underscores the personal and accessible nature of God to His people in the patriarchal era. It demonstrates that God hears and responds to sincere petitions, providing guidance and revelation in times of profound uncertainty ([Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Seeking the Lord")).
* **Foreshadowing of National Destinies:** The internal conflict directly foreshadows the future rivalry between Israel (Jacob) and Edom (Esau), establishing a foundational narrative for the ongoing relationship and conflict between these two nations throughout biblical history, rooted in their very beginnings.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rebekah's example provides a timeless model for believers facing perplexing or painful circumstances. Instead of succumbing to despair, relying solely on human understanding, or questioning God's goodness, her immediate and faithful response was to "enquire of the LORD." This teaches us to bring our deepest questions, anxieties, and incomprehensible struggles directly to God in prayer, trusting that He is both willing and able to provide comfort, clarity, and direction, even when the path ahead seems uncertain ([Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Casting anxieties on God")). Her inquiry ultimately led to a profound prophetic revelation, underscoring the enduring value and transformative power of seeking divine wisdom.

### FAQ
**Why were the children struggling in Rebekah's womb?**

Answer: The struggle described in Genesis 25:22 was more than typical fetal movement; it was a profound, almost violent, interaction that foreshadowed the lifelong rivalry between Jacob and Esau. The subsequent verse ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah")) reveals it was part of God's sovereign plan, indicating the distinct destinies and future national conflict between their descendants.

**How did Rebekah "enquire of the LORD"?**

Answer: While the text does not specify the exact method, "enquire of the LORD" (Hebrew `darash YHWH`) implies a direct spiritual consultation, likely through earnest prayer, seeking a prophetic word, or possibly through a priestly figure if one was accessible. It signifies a diligent and sincere seeking of divine guidance and revelation, demonstrating her deep faith and God's accessibility to His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 25:22 directly concerns the Old Testament patriarchs, it subtly points to Christ in several ways. The divine election of Jacob over Esau, despite Esau being the firstborn, prefigures God's sovereign choice and grace, which is fully revealed in Christ, where salvation is not by works or birthright but by God's call ([Romans 9:10](/romans/9-10 "God's choice of Jacob over Esau in Romans 9:10-13")). Furthermore, Rebekah's act of seeking divine wisdom in confusion anticipates the ultimate revelation of God's will and truth found in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh and the source of all wisdom ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest questions and struggles, offering peace and understanding where there is perplexity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.