Isaac’s wife Rebecca was barren for about twenty years. Rebecca finally became pregnant with twin boys. During a difficult pregnancy the two boys were unusually active within her womb. The activity was not natural and she suspected an evil omen.The expressive language of Hebrew captures this activity with an unusual verb vy-yitrotsetsu and translated it means “they crushed and thrust” one another. This foretold their future hostile relationship. Rebecca inquired of the Lord regarding this and He responded; “two nations that is, twin progenitors of two nations, were struggling in her womb.” The Hebrew word for nation is goieem, which is indicating both Jewish and Gentile nations. Common modern Jewish usage of the word Goy is to reference the Gentiles. That is not the biblical Hebrew meaning. They became two entirely different people groups. One people would be stronger and the other weaker. He concluded by stating “the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25: 23).
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