And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
Ver. 22. And the children struggled together.] Heb., Jithrotsatsu. They ran at tilt, as it were, and jostled one against another, even to bruising and hurting. Esau, that he might lose no time, began to set against Jacob before he was born.
If it be so, why am I thus?] A passionate abrupt speech: q.d., Better no children, than so troubled with them. See Trapp on " Gen 27:46 " See Trapp on " Gen 3:16 " "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception." This she should have borne more patiently: but she presently bethought her of the best course; for "she went to inquire of the Lord": she got into a corner, and prayed, and was answered. She prayed down her passions, as a man sleeps out his drunkenness, and set to work lustily, and so got the ensuing oracle.