Genesis 24:62

Genesis 24:62

And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

a. NLT: Meanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had returned from Beer-lahai-roi.

b. NIV: Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev.

c. YLT: And Isaac hath come in from the entrance of the Well of the Living One, my Beholder; and he is dwelling in the land of the south,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Now Isaac had returned from going to the well Beer-lahai-roi [A well to the Living One Who sees me], for he [now] dwelt in the South country (the Negeb).

e. Septuagint: And Isaac went through the wilderness to the well of the vision, and he dwelt in the land toward the south. 

f. Stone Edition Chumash Torah: Now Isaac came from having gone to Beer-lahai-roi, for he dwelt in the south country.

1. “And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.”

a. Isaac [3327 * Yitschaq] [Strong: from 6711; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham:--Isaac.]

b. came [935 * bow’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, + besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken (in age), X surely, take (in), way.]

c. from the well Lahairoi [883 * B'er la-Chay Ro'iy] [Strong: from 875 and 2416 (with prefix) and 7203; well of a living (One) my Seer; Beer-Lachai-Roi, a place in the Desert:--Beer-lahai-roi.]

1). Stone Edition Chumash Torah: This was the propitious site where Hagar’ prayers had once been answered, and it was there that Isaac had gone to pray. Even before he prayed, his needs were answered, and his bride was already approaching Haran, in the manner of Isaiah 65:24 “…when they have not yet called I will answer, Sforno).

2). Why Haran is mentioned in this commentary is unknown to me. At this time the exact location of Beer-la-hai-roi has not been found and there are lots of suggestions as to where it is. My humble guess is that Hagar, being Egyptian was attempting to go back to Egypt after fleeing from Sarai. The angel of the Lord of course told her to go back to Abram and Sarai, which she did. Now when the Angel found her she was not out of food or water. My guess is that she was southwest of Mamre, which is where Abram and Sarai lived.

3). We must also include the Scripture recorded about at Abraham’s death Isaac still lived by the same well. This means that Isaac and Rebekah along with eventually the twin sons, Jacob and Esau, lived here until Abraham’s death at 175 years. The twins were born when Abraham was 160. Isaac was 60 years old when the twins were born (Genesis 25:26), which means Abraham was 160 (Romans 4:19).

a). Genesis 25:11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.  

d. for he dwelt [3427 * yashab] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.]

e. in the south [5045 * negeb] [Strong: from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine):--south (country, side, -ward).]

f. country [776 * 'erets] [Strong: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.

1). The south country is south of Hebron. It is where Abraham and Sarah moved after Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Genesis 20:1). It was situated within the kingdom the Philistines, of Abimelek, the king of Gerar (Genesis 21:32). Beersheba received its name from a covenant made between Abimelek and Abraham (Genesis 21:31, 32). Abraham lived in Beersheba at least from the after Isaac’s birth probably until he died, which would total over 70 years.