GENESISChapters 12-14

July 6, 2003

Genesis 20:12

Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though

not of my mother; and she became my wife.

Leviticus 18:9

'Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father's daughter or your

mother's daughter, whether she was born in the same home or

elsewhere.

Leviticus 20:17

If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or

his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes

of their people.

Deuteronomy 27:22

"Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his

mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Without children the man had no one to perpetuate his name and the wife enjoyed little prestige and much frustration, for she had no alternative career to motherhood. Further, in old age, childless couples had

no children to care for them, and after death, none to carry out the funerary rites

regarded as vital to the soul’s well-being in the afterlife.

Wenham, Gordon J., Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 1: Genesis 1-15, (Dallas, Texas: Word Books,

Publisher) 1998.

Cassuto notes that Abram’s life shows an interesting symmetry:

75 years with his father25 years without father or son

75 years with his son

Wenham, Gordon J., Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 1: Genesis 1-15, (Dallas, Texas: Word Books,

Publisher) 1998.

Judges 9:37

But Gaal spoke up again: "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and a company is coming from the direction of the soothsayers'

tree."

Cassuto follows those medieval commentators who suggested that Abram

hoped that by claiming to be Sarai’s brother he could fend off suitors by promises of

marriage without actually giving her away. This suggestion is confirmed by other

stories in Genesis where brothers try to delay their sisters’ marriages (24:55, Laban

and Rebekah; 34:13–17, Dinah and her brothers.)

Wenham, Gordon J., Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 1: Genesis 1-15, (Dallas, Texas: Word Books,

Publisher) 1998.

Romans 4:16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all

Abraham's offspring-- not only to those who are of the law but also

to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us

all.

Galatians 3:29

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs

according to the promise.

Psalm 110:4

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a

priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Deuteronomy 32:40

I lift my hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live

forever,

Daniel 12:7

The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the

river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who

lives forever…

Revelation 10:5

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the

land raised his right hand to heaven.