3. As soon then as this was over, she introduced the stranger; and for
the camels, the servants of Laban brought them in, and took care of
them; and he was himself brought in to supper by Laban. And, after
supper, he says to him, and to the mother of the damsel, addressing
himself to her, "Abraham is the son of Terah, and a kinsman of yours;
for Nahor, the grandfather of these children, was the brother of
Abraham, by both father and mother; upon which account he hath sent me
to you, being desirous to take this damsel for his son to wife. He is
his legitimate son, and is brought up as his only heir. He could indeed
have had the most happy of all the women in that country for him, but he
would not have his son marry any of them; but, out of regard to his own
relations, he desired him to match here, whose affection and inclination
I would not have you despise; for it was by the good pleasure of God
that other accidents fell out in my journey, and that thereby I lighted
upon your daughter and your house; for when I was near to the city, I
saw a great many maidens coming to a well, and I prayed that I might
meet with this damsel, which has come to pass accordingly. Do you
therefore confirm that marriage, whose espousals have been already made
by a Divine appearance; and show the respect you have for Abraham, who
hath sent me with so much solicitude, in giving your consent to the
marriage of this damsel." Upon this they understood it to be the will of
God, and greatly approved of the offer, and sent their daughter, as was
desired. Accordingly Isaac married her, the inheritance being now come
to him; for the children by Keturah were gone to their own remote
habitations.
CHAPTER 17. Concerning The Death Of Abraham.
A Little while after this Abraham died. He was a man of incomparable
virtue, and honored by God in a manner agreeable to his piety towards
him. The whole time of his life was one hundred seventy and five years,
and he was buried in Hebron, with his wife Sarah, by their sons Isaac
and Ismael.
CHAPTER 18. Concerning The Sons Of Isaac, Esau And Jacob; Of Their
Nativity And Education.
1. Now Isaac's wife proved with child, after the death of Abraham; 30
and when her belly was greatly burdened, Isaac was very anxious, and
inquired of God; who answered, that Rebeka should bear twins; and that
two nations should take the names of those sons; and that he who
appeared the second should excel the elder. Accordingly she, in a little
time, as God had foretold, bare twins; the elder of whom, from his head
to his feet, was very rough and hairy; but the younger took hold of his
heel as they were in the birth. Now the father loved the elder, who was
called Esau, a name agreeable to his roughness, for the Hebrews call
such a hairy roughness [Esau, 31 or] Seir; but Jacob the younger was
best beloved by his mother.
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