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the antiquities of the jews-1-第14章

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Egypt; the land there being good; but he went to Gerar; as God
commanded him。 Here Abimelech the king received him; because
Abraham had formerly lived with him; and had been his friend。 And
as in the beginning he treated him exceeding kindly; so he was
hindered from continuing in the same disposition to the end; by
his envy at him; for when he saw that God was with Isaac; and
took such great care of him; he drove him away from him。 But
Isaac; when he saw how envy had changed the temper of Abimelech
retired to a place called the Valley; not far from Gerar: and as
he was digging a well; the shepherds fell upon him; and began to
fight; in order to hinder the work; and because he did not desire
to contend; the shepherds seemed to get the him; so he still
retired; and dug another and when certain other shepherds of
Abimelech began to offer him violence; he left that also; still
retired; thus purchasing security to himself a rational and
prudent conduct。 At length the gave him leave to dig a well
without disturbance。 He named this well Rehoboth; which denotes a
large space; but of the former wells; one was called Escon; which
denotes strife; the other Sitenna; name signifies enmity。

3。 It was now that Isaac's affairs increased; and in a
flourishing condition; and this his great riches。 But Abimelech;
thinking in opposition to him; while their living made them
suspicious of each other; and retiring showing a secret enmity
also; he
afraid that his former friendship with Isaac would not secure
him; if Isaac should endeavor the injuries he had formerly
offered him; he therefore renewed his friendship with him;
Philoc; one of his generals。 And when he had obtained every thing
he desired; by reason of Isaac's good nature; who preferred the
earlier friendship Abimelech had shown to himself and his father
to his later wrath against him; he returned home。

4。 Now when Esau; one of the sons of Isaac; whom the father
principally loved; was now come to the age of forty years; he
married Adah; the daughter of Helon; and Aholibamah; the daughter
of Esebeon; which Helon and Esebeon were great lords among the
Canaanites: thereby taking upon himself the authority; and
pretending to have dominion over his own marriages; without so
much as asking the advice of his father; for had Isaac been the
arbitrator; he had not given him leave to marry thus; for he was
not pleased with contracting any alliance with the people of that
country; but not caring to be uneasy to his son by commanding him
to put away these wives; he resolved to be silent。

5。 But when he was old; and could not see at all; he called Esau
to him; and told him; that besides his blindness; and the
disorder of his eyes; his very old age hindered him from his
worship of God 'by sacrifice'; he bid him therefore to go out a
hunting; and when he had caught as much venison as he could; to
prepare him a supper (32) that after this he might make
supplication to God; to be to him a supporter and an assister
during the whole time of his life; saying; that it was uncertain
when he should die; and that he was desirous; by prayers for him;
to procure; beforehand; God to be merciful to him。

6。 Accordingly; Esau went out a hunting。 But Rebeka (33) thinking
it proper to have the supplication made for obtaining the favor
of God to Jacob; and that without the consent of Isaac; bid him
kill kids of the goats; and prepare a supper。 So Jacob obeyed his
mother; according to all her instructions。 Now when the supper
was got ready; he took a goat's skin; and put it about his arm;
that by reason of its hairy roughness; he might by his father be
believed to be Esau; for they being twins; and in all things else
alike; differed only in this thing。 This was done out of his
fear; that before his father had made his supplications; he
should be caught in his evil practice; and lest he should; on the
contrary; provoke his father to curse him。 So he brought in the
supper to his father。 Isaac perceivest to be Esau。〃 So suspecting
no deceit; he ate the supper; and betook himself to his prayers
and intercessions with God; and said; 〃O Lord of all ages; and
Creator of all substance; for it was thou that didst propose to
my father great plenty of good things; and hast vouchsafed to
bestow on me what I have; and hast promised to my posterity to be
their kind supporter; and to bestow on them still greater
blessings; do thou therefore confirm these thy promises; and do
not overlook me; because of my present weak condition; on account
of which I most earnestly pray to thee。 Be gracious to this my
son; and preserve him and keep him from every thing that is evil。
Give him a happy life; and the possession of as many good things
as thy power is able to bestow。 Make him terrible to his enemies;
and honorable and beloved among his friends。〃

7。 Thus did Isaac pray to God; thinking his prayers had been made
for Esau。 He had but just finished them; when Esau came in from
hunting。 And when Isaac perceived his mistake; he was silent: but
Esau required that he might be made partaker of the like blessing
from his father that his brother had partook of; but his father
refused it; because all his prayers had been spent upon Jacob: so
Esau lamented the mistake。 However; his father being grieved at
his weeping; said; that 〃he should excel in hunting and strength
of body; in arms; and all such sorts of work; and should obtain
glory for ever on those accounts; he and his posterity after him;
but still should serve his brother。〃

8。 Now the mother delivered Jacob; when she was afraid that his
brother would inflict some punishment upon him because of the
mistake about the prayers of Isaac; for she persuaded her husband
to take a wife for Jacob out of Mesopotamia; of her own kindred;
Esau having married already Basemmath; the daughter of Ismael;
without his father's consent; for Isaac did not like the
Canaanites; so that he disapproved of Esau's former marriages;
which made him take Basemmath to wife; in order to please him;
and indeed he had a great affection for her。

CHAPTER 19。

Concerning Jacob's Flight Into Mesopotamia; By Reason Of The Fear
He Was In Of His Brother。

1。 Now Jacob was sent by his mother to Mesopotamia; in order to
marry Laban her brother's daughter (which marriage was permitted
by Isaac; on account of his obsequiousness to the desires of his
wife); and he accordingly journeyed through the land of Canaan;
and because he hated the people of that country; he would not
lodge with any of them; but took up his lodging in the open air;
and laid his head on a heap of stones that he had gathered
together。 At which time he saw in his sleep such a vision
standing by him: … he seemed to see a ladder that reached from
the earth unto heaven; and persons descending upon the ladder
that seemed more excellent than human; and at last God himself
stood above it; and was plainly visible to him; who; calling him
by his name; spake to him in these words: … 

2。 〃O Jacob; it is not fit for thee; who art the son of a good
father; and grandson of one who had obtained a great reputation
for his eminent virtue; to be dejected at thy p
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