Genesis 25:21 kjv

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:21 nkjv

Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:21 niv

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Genesis 25:21 esv

And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:21 nlt

Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The LORD answered Isaac's prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 21 Meaning

Genesis 25:21 describes Isaac's earnest prayer to the Lord concerning Rebekah's barrenness and the subsequent divine response. After twenty years of marriage without children, Isaac actively interceded for his wife, and in answer to his fervent plea, the Lord enabled Rebekah to conceive. This event underscores God's sovereignty over life, His faithfulness to the covenant promises made to Abraham, and the power of persistent, humble prayer offered by His people.

Genesis 25 21 Context

Genesis 25:21 follows the narrative of Abraham's death and Isaac's inheritance of the patriarchal leadership and covenant promises. Isaac married Rebekah when he was forty years old (Gen 25:20). The twenty-year gap until Rebekah conceived (Isaac was sixty when Esau and Jacob were born, Gen 25:26) highlights the period of their barrenness. This period of waiting is significant; it parallels Sarah's long barrenness and serves to emphasize that the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant's promise of descendants was solely by divine intervention, not human ability or natural course. In the ancient Near East, childlessness was a profound reproach, especially for women, and threatened the continuation of family lines and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. This verse specifically addresses that concern through Isaac's prayer and God's faithful response.

Genesis 25 21 Word analysis

• And Isaac: Introduces the second patriarch. Isaac, whose name means "laughter," was the child of promise. Unlike Abraham who had other sons and concubines, Isaac remained with one wife, Rebekah, throughout this crucial period.
• intreated (עָתַר, athar): This Hebrew verb implies a deeply earnest, persistent, and fervent pleading or supplication. It's more than a casual prayer; it suggests crying out to God from a place of great need or distress. The repetition of this verb ("the Lord was intreated of him") emphasizes the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Isaac's prayer and God's answer. It conveys the concept of God "hearing" and being "prevailed upon" by sincere prayer. This root can also suggest "abundance" or "wealth," perhaps implying abundant or effectual prayer.
• the Lord (יְהֹוָה, Yahweh): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people and His faithfulness to His promises. Isaac's prayer was directed to the one true God, not to pagan deities associated with fertility.
• for his wife: Highlights Isaac's selfless love and intercession for Rebekah's well-being and honor. His prayer was not just for the fulfillment of the promise generally, but for his beloved wife's pain and reproach of barrenness to be removed.
• because she was barren: This phrase states the dire condition. Barrenness (עֲקָרָה, aqarah) was a recurring obstacle for the matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah), which consistently proved God's direct involvement in the lineage of the Messiah. It was seen as a major source of distress and societal dishonor for a woman in that culture and a potential threat to the covenant promise.
• and the Lord was intreated of him: This demonstrates God's immediate and direct response to Isaac's specific, fervent prayer. It showcases God's accessibility and responsiveness to His people's sincere pleas, affirming His personal engagement in human affairs.
• and Rebekah his wife conceived: The tangible, miraculous result of God's intervention. This conception was an act of divine power, demonstrating that children are a gift from the Lord (Ps 127:3) and securing the continuation of the promised seed, moving God's redemptive plan forward.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife": This phrase emphasizes the protagonist, Isaac, and his faithful action. It establishes a powerful example of intercessory prayer from a husband for his wife in a moment of crisis and a deep reliance on God for needs, rather than human solutions or pagan remedies.
• "because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him": This clearly links the problem (barrenness) with the divine solution (God being intreated). It demonstrates the sovereignty of God, who, even when seemingly inactive for two decades, responds in His time to the sincere petition of His servant. The parallelism with "intreated" highlights God's receptiveness.

Genesis 25 21 Bonus section

The twenty-year gap between Isaac's marriage (at age 40) and Rebekah's conception (when he was 60) signifies a deliberate divine delay. This extended period of waiting was not a sign of God's indifference but a crucible for faith, teaching Isaac and Rebekah deep dependence on Him. It paralleled the waiting period experienced by Abraham and Sarah, firmly establishing that the covenant line would proceed solely by God's supernatural power and grace, rather than human strength or fertility. This ongoing motif in Genesis (barren matriarchs) strengthens the narrative argument that the Abrahamic covenant's fulfillment is not contingent on human procreative ability, but solely on God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence. Isaac's patient, prayerful waiting stands as a biblical example of active trust in God during times of barrenness and unanswered longing, illustrating that true reliance on God involves persistently bringing our needs to Him while waiting on His perfect timing.

Genesis 25 21 Commentary

Genesis 25:21 stands as a powerful testament to divine faithfulness and the efficacy of prayer within the context of God's redemptive plan. For two decades, Isaac and Rebekah faced the profound cultural and spiritual crisis of childlessness. Unlike Abraham who sought an heir through Hagar, Isaac does not resort to human stratagems but directly engages with the Lord through fervent, sustained prayer. This highlights a progression in the faith of the patriarchs—a deepened trust in God's miraculous intervention rather than human ingenuity. The Hebrew word athar, translated "intreated," conveys the intensity and earnestness of Isaac's plea, rising to God as a spiritual incense. God's response, "and the Lord was intreated of him," unequivocally demonstrates His attention to the petitions of His covenant people.

This miracle of conception is not merely a family blessing; it is foundational to the unfolding of God's promise to Abraham—the promise of innumerable descendants who would become a great nation through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. The pattern of barren matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah) underscores a profound theological truth: the lineage through which the Messiah would come is established not by human strength or natural ability, but by divine power. It counters any belief that fertility or success is solely a matter of natural processes or adherence to pagan rituals; rather, life and fruitfulness are gifts from Yahweh, the sovereign Giver of life. The delay also serves to test and deepen the patriarch's faith, showcasing God's perfect timing and making His intervention unmistakable. Isaac’s prayer acts as a demonstration that faithful prayer is the channel through which God's sovereign will often unfolds, reinforcing His intimate involvement in the lives of His children.