Genesis 26
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
There was a famine - When this happened we cannot tell; it appears to have been after the death of Abraham. Concerning the first famine, see Gen 12:10. Abimelech - As we know not the time when the famine happened, so we cannot tell whether this was the same Abimelech, Phichol, etc., which are mentioned Gen 20:1, Gen 20:2, etc., or the sons or other descendants of these persons.
Open source ↗SOJOURN IN GERAR. (Gen. 26:1-35) And there was a famine in the land . . . And Isaac went unto . . . Gerar--The pressure of famine in Canaan forced Isaac with his family and flocks to migrate into the land of the Philistines, where he was exposed to personal danger, as his father had been on account of his wife's beauty; but through the seasonable interposition of Providence, he was preserved (Psa 105:14-15).
Open source ↗And there was a famine in the land,.... In the land of Canaan, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it: besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham; of which see Gen 12:10; which was an hundred years before this: and Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines, unto Gerar; where his father Abraham had sojourned before he was born; and therefore the present king of this place can scarce be thought to be the same Abimelech that was king of it in Abraham's time; but it is highly probable that this Abimelech was the son of the former king, and that this was a common name to the kings of Gerar or the Philistines, as Pharaoh was to the kings of Egypt. Isaac came to this place from Lahairoi, where he had dwelt many years, see Gen 24:62; which was at or near Beersheba, and was about eight miles from Gerar (a). (a) Bunting's Travels, p. 70.
Open source ↗Renewal of the Promise. - A famine "in the land" (i.e., Canaan, to which he had therefore returned from Hagar's well; Gen 25:11), compelled Isaac to leave Canaan, as it had done Abraham before. Abraham went to Egypt, where his wife was exposed to danger, from which she could only be rescued by the direct interposition of God. Isaac also intended to go there, but on the way, viz., in Gerar, he received instruction through a divine manifestation that he was to remain there. As he was the seed to whom the land of Canaan was promised, he was directed not to leave it. To this end Jehovah assured him of the fulfilment of all the promises made to Abraham on oath, with express reference to His oath (Gen 22:16) to him and to his posterity, and on account of Abraham's obedience of faith. The only peculiarity in the words is the plural, "all these lands." This plural refers to all the lands or territories of the different Canaanitish tribes, mentioned in Gen 15:19-21, like the different divisions of the kingdom of Israel or Judah in Ch1 13:2; Ch2 11:23. האל; an antique form of האלּה occurring only in the Pentateuch. The piety of Abraham is described in words that indicate a perfect obedience to all the commands of God, and therefore frequently recur among the legal expressions of a later date. יהוה משׁמרת שׁמר "to take care of Jehovah's care," i.e., to observe Jehovah, His persons, and His will, Mishmereth, reverence, observance, care, is more closely defined by "commandments, statutes, laws," to denote constant obedience to all the revelations and instructions of God.
Open source ↗Here, I. God tried Isaac by his providence. Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the divine grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs; yet now there is a famine in the land, Gen 26:1. What shall he think of the promise when the promised land will not find him bread? Is such a grant worth accepting, upon such terms, and after so long a time? Yes, Isaac will still cleave to the covenant; and the less valuable Canaan in itself seems to be the better he is taught to value it, 1. As a token of God's everlasting kindness to him; and, 2. As a type of heaven's everlasting blessedness. Note, The intrinsic worth of God's promises cannot be lessened in a believer's eye by any cross providences. II. He directed him under this trial by his word. Isaac finds himself straitened by the scarcity of provisions. Somewhere he must go for supply; it should seem, he set out for Egypt, whither his father went in the like strait, but he takes Gerar in his way, full of thoughts, no doubt, which way he had best steer his course, till God graciously appeared to him, and determined him, abundantly to his satisfaction. 1. God bade him stay where he was, and not go down into Egypt: Sojourn in this land, Gen 26:2, Gen 26:3. There was a famine in Jacob's days, and God bade him go down into Egypt (Gen 46:3, Gen 46:4), a famine in Isaac's days, and God bade him not to go down, a famine in Abraham's days, and God left him to his liberty, directing him neither way. This variety in the divine procedure (considering that Egypt was always a place of trial and exercise to God's people) some ground upon the different characters of these three patriarchs. Abraham was a man of very high attainments, and intimate communion with God; and to him all places and conditions were alike. Isaac…
Open source ↗26:1-35 In this digression from Jacob’s story, Isaac’s prosperity (ch 26) shows that the blessing had passed to him (cp. 25:11) despite his failures of faith. 26:1 This Abimelech is probably not the man in ch 20, for these events could have been 90 years apart. Possibly Abimelech was a dynastic name or title (a later King Achish, 1 Sam 21:10, was also called Abimelech, Ps 34:title).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth גְּרָר (Gᵉrâr, H1642) — Gerar, a Philistine city
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֵל (ʼêl, H411) — these or those קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) שְׁבוּעָה (shᵉbûwʻâh, H7621) — properly, something sworn, i.e. an oath שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֵל (ʼêl, H411) — these or those אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗עֵקֶב (ʻêqeb, H6118) — a heel, i.e. (figuratively) the last of anything (used adverbially, for ever); also… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גְּרָר (Gᵉrâr, H1642) — Gerar, a Philistine city
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent רִבְקָה (Ribqâh, H7259) — Ribkah, the wife of Isaac טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape…
Open source ↗אָרַךְ (ʼârak, H748) — to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth שָׁקַף (shâqaph, H8259) — properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a… בְּעַד (bᵉʻad, H1157) — in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc. חַלּוֹן (challôwn, H2474) — a window (as perforated) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham צָחַק (tsâchaq, H6711) — to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport רִבְקָה (Ribqâh, H7259) — Ribkah, the wife of Isaac אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַךְ (ʼak, H389) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
Open source ↗אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8180) — a measure (as a section) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) גָּדֵל (gâdêl, H1432) — large (literally or figuratively) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,…
Open source ↗מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עֲבֻדָּה (ʻăbuddâh, H5657) — something wrought, i.e. (concretely) service פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth קָנָא (qânâʼ, H7065) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
Open source ↗Cross-references
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