Genesis 26

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 26 of 50

1 And a famine was in the land besides the famine in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.

2 And Jehovah appeared to him and said, Do not go down into Egypt; stay in the land which I shall say to you.

3 Reside in this land, and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your seed I will give all these lands. And I will cause to rise My oath which I swore to your father Abraham.

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Chapter Summary

1 Isaac goes to Gerar. 2 God instructs, and blesses him. 7 He is reproved by Abimelech for saying Rebekah is his sister. 18 He digs the wells Esek, Sitnah, and Rehoboth. 34 Esau's wives.

Key Hebrew Words

בְּאֵר well H875 · TWOT 194a
בָּרַךְ bless H1288 · TWOT 285
בְּרִית covenant H1285 · TWOT 282a
שָׁבַע swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319
רָעָב famine H7458 · TWOT 2183a
רִיב strive, contend H7378 · TWOT 2159

People & Context

Isaac

sojourns in Gerar during famine, prospers, digs the wells, and makes a covenant at Beer-sheba

Abimelech

king of the Philistines at Gerar who rebukes Isaac over Rebekah and later seeks an oath of peace

Jehovah

appears to Isaac, forbids Egypt, and confirms the oath sworn to Abraham

Rebekah

Isaac's wife whom he calls his sister; grieved by Esau's Hittite wives

Esau

at forty takes Hittite wives Judith and Basemath, a grief of spirit to his parents

Phicol

general of Abimelech's army who comes with him to cut a covenant with Isaac

Timeline

Famine and Isaac in Gerar

A famine, separate from Abraham's time, occurs. Isaac goes to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

Genesis 26:1
God Appears to Isaac, Renews Promise

Jehovah appears to Isaac, commands him not to go to Egypt, but to dwell in the land He will show him. God promises to be with him, bless him, give all these lands to his seed, and fulfill the oath sworn to Abraham, multiplying his seed like the stars. All nations will bless themselves in his Seed, because Abraham obeyed God's voice.

Genesis 26:2-5
Isaac's Deception with Rebekah

Isaac lives in Gerar. Fearing for his life due to Rebekah's beauty, he tells the men of the place she is his sister.

Genesis 26:6-7

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