John Gill Commentary Genesis 25:21

"And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren. And Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived." — Genesis 25:21 (ASV)

And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife Was very earnest and constant in his supplications for her, as the word signifies, as is observed by Jarchi; or, "before his wife" ^F1 , she being present, and joining with him in his prayers: the reason was, because she was barren;

which appeared by the length of time they had been married, which was near twenty years, see (Genesis 25:26) . The Jewish writers ^F2 say, that, after twenty years, Isaac took her and went with her to Mount Moriah, to the place where he was bound, and prayed that she might conceive; putting the Lord in mind of the promise he there made of the multiplication of Abraham's seed, (Genesis 22:17Genesis 22:18) : and the Lord was entreated of him; he granted him his request; for, though God has purposed and promised to do many things for his people, yet he will be sought unto by them to do them for them: and Rebekah his wife conceived; two sons at once, as it follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F1: (wtva xknl) "praesente uxore sua", Munster, Fagins.
• F2: Pirke Eliezer, c. 32. Targum. Jon. in loc. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 3. 1.