Isaac Who Waited on the Holy One Saved from Ishmael and Famine

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Toldot 5:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[Another interpretation of "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him":] This is Isaac. "On those who wait", for he was waiting in hope upon the Holy One, blessed be He. "To deliver their soul from death", for Ishmael sought to kill him, as it is said, "And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, making sport" (Genesis 21:9). And "making sport" means nothing other than killing, as it is said, "Let the young men now arise and play before us" (II Samuel 2:14). "And to keep them alive in famine", for the famine came in his days, as it is said, "And there was a famine in the land" (Genesis 26:1).

Themes

Divine ProvidenceFamine

Biblical References

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