Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
Ver. 2. Abraham begat Isaac] The fruit, not more of his flesh than of his faith, a whence he is said to be "born after the spirit,"Galatians 4:29 .
Isaac begat Jacob] After twenty years' expectance, and many a hearty prayer put up therewhile, Genesis 25:21. b So Adam lived "an hundred and twenty years ere he begat Seth;" whom God set as another seed instead of Abel,Genesis 5:3; cf. Genesis 4:25, when Cain's family flourished and grew great in the earth. God usually stays so long that he hardly finds faith, Luke 18:8, till men have done expecting, and then he doth things that they look not for, Isaiah 64:3. Wait therefore upon him who waits to be gracious; and know this, that he is a God of judgement, Isaiah 30:18, that is, a wise God, one that chooseth his times, and knows best when to deal forth his favours. See Isaiah 49:8; cf.Psalms 69:13. Everything is beautiful in its season, saith Solomon, Ecclesiastes 3:11 .
Jacob begat Judah and his brethren] Brethren in iniquity (the most of them), a part of their father's punishment, for that three-fold lie in a breath, Genesis 27:19,20. Reuben was the beginning of his strength, "excelling in dignity and power," Genesis 49:3, that is (saith the Chaldee Paraphrast), in the principality and the priesthood. Both which he forfeited by his foul offence; the former to Judah, the latter to Levi. Howbeit, upon his return to God (though disinherited of the birthright, yet) he had this honour of an elder brother, that he was first provided for. But Judah was he "whom his brethren should praise" (saith Jacob), in allusion to his name and in reference to his privilege, Genesis 49:8; for it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah (ανατεταλκεν), Hebrews 7:14, that branch from on high (ανατολη), Luke 1:78, that Shiloh, which some interpret His son (R. David). Others (Tranquillator, Salvator), the Prosperer, Pacificator, Safe Maker, &c. c Others, the son of her secundines, d which is the tunicle e that wrappeth the child in the womb.
a Vere fuit Isaac beatae senectutis et emeritae fidei filius. Bucholcer.
b The Hebrew word is, "to frequent and multiply prayer."
c Tranquillator, Salvator, a themate Salah, unde Shalvah, tranquillitas. Unde etiam Lat. Salvere, Salvus, Salvare. Amama.
d The placenta and other adjuncts of a foetus extruded from the womb after the expulsion of the foetus in parturition; the afterbirth. ŒD
e A membrane enclosing a bodily organ, ŒD