Genesis 26:1 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 26:1 kjv
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
Genesis 26:1 nkjv
There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
Genesis 26:1 niv
Now there was a famine in the land?besides the previous famine in Abraham's time?and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar.
Genesis 26:1 esv
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.
Genesis 26:1 nlt
A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham's time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.
Genesis 26 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:10 | Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt... | Abram faced famine and migrated to Egypt. |
| Gen 20:1-2 | Abraham journeyed from there... to Gerar, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur... Abimelech king of Gerar... | Abraham also resided in Gerar and interacted with Abimelech. |
| Gen 26:2-5 | Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt... Abide in this land...” | God's specific instruction to Isaac in response to the famine. |
| Gen 26:6 | So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. | Isaac obeys God's command not to go to Egypt. |
| Gen 41:54-57 | The seven years of famine began to come... and the famine was over all the face of the earth. | Widespread famine managed by Joseph in Egypt. |
| Gen 42:1 | When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” | Jacob's family migrating to Egypt due to famine. |
| Ruth 1:1 | In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah... | Another example of famine causing migration. |
| 2 Sam 21:1 | Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years... | Famine as a divine judgment in Israel's history. |
| 1 Ki 17:1 | ...As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” | Elijah predicts a severe famine as a consequence of sin. |
| Ps 37:19 | They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. | God's promise of sustenance during famine for the righteous. |
| Prov 10:3 | The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish... | Assurance of God's provision for His people. |
| Isa 58:11 | The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones... | God's care and guidance through scarcity. |
| Jer 14:12 | Though they fast, I will not hear their cry; and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.” | Famine often linked to divine judgment for disobedience. |
| Lk 4:25-26 | ...there was a great famine throughout all Judea... To none of them was Elijah sent but to Zarephath... | Famine in New Testament times; God's sovereignty in provision. |
| Heb 11:8-9 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called... He dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob... | Patriarchs lived by faith, experiencing nomadic life and trials like famine. |
| Gen 21:22 | Now it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham... | Abraham's previous treaty and interaction with Abimelech of Gerar. |
| Gen 21:32 | Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol... and they returned to the land of the Philistines. | Abraham’s previous peace treaty with Abimelech. |
| Gen 24:36 | ...Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master; and to him he has given all that he has. | Isaac is Abraham's designated heir to the covenant promises. |
| Gen 25:11 | And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. | Isaac takes on the mantle of the covenant after Abraham. |
| Ps 105:16 | Moreover He called for a famine on the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. | God's sovereignty over natural disasters like famine. |
| Amos 8:11-12 | “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD.” | Famine used metaphorically for spiritual deprivation. |
| Php 4:19 | And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. | Divine provision during scarcity, applicable to all believers. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation... | God's presence and comfort in trials, including lack and famine. |
Genesis 26 verses
Genesis 26 1 meaning
A significant famine afflicted the land of Canaan, reminiscent of a previous famine experienced during the lifetime of Isaac’s father, Abraham. In response to this widespread scarcity, Isaac journeyed to the Philistine city-state of Gerar, seeking refuge or provision from its ruler, Abimelech, the king of the Philistines. This verse marks a pivotal moment, shifting the narrative focus to Isaac and placing him in a similar challenging situation to his predecessor.
Genesis 26 1 Context
Genesis 26:1 begins a new phase in the narrative of Isaac, Abraham's son and the heir of the covenant promises. The chapter opens with a challenge—a famine in the promised land. This scarcity immediately calls to mind a similar situation faced by Abraham (Gen 12:10), establishing a pattern of divine testing and guidance across generations of the covenant family. Following the death of Abraham (Gen 25:8), Isaac assumes the lead role, and God’s dealings with him mirror some of the trials and blessings experienced by his father. Isaac's immediate reaction, mirroring Abraham's move during a prior famine, sets the stage for God's direct intervention in verses 2-5, providing specific instructions to Isaac that are crucial for the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan and the reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant. Historically, famines were common and devastating in the ancient Near East, driving migration to more fertile areas, particularly Egypt, known for its predictable Nile floods. Abimelech, king of Gerar, likely represents a successor to the Abimelech who interacted with Abraham in Gen 20, suggesting a continued relationship (sometimes fraught with tension) between the patriarchs and the Philistine inhabitants of the region.
Genesis 26 1 Word analysis
- And there was: Signifies narrative continuity and an immediate onset of a significant event. It connects this event directly to Isaac's settled life post-Abraham's death.
- a famine: Hebrew: רָעָב (ra'av). This term denotes severe scarcity of food, hunger, or starvation. Famines were devastating events in ancient times, capable of decimating populations and forcing migrations. In biblical narratives, famine can be a natural occurrence, a test of faith, or a form of divine judgment for disobedience (e.g., Deut 28:23, 2 Ki 8:1, Jer 14:12). Its presence here highlights the precarious nature of life in Canaan, even in the "promised" land.
- in the land: Refers to Canaan, the promised land. This is significant because even the land given by God is not immune to natural calamities, reinforcing that divine blessing often requires continued trust and obedience, rather than just geographical presence. It tests the patriarchs' faith precisely where God had promised them abundance and heritage.
- besides the former famine: Explicitly links this famine to the one in Gen 12:10 during Abraham's time. This creates a parallel, showing how the covenant family faces recurring trials. It suggests a divine pattern or a re-testing of the covenant line, prompting a comparison of Isaac’s response to Abraham's. This repetition also serves a literary purpose, showing continuity in the covenant story.
- that was in the days of Abraham: Establishes chronological context and deepens the thematic parallel with Abraham. It highlights the recurring nature of challenges and God’s consistent way of dealing with His chosen line through them.
- And Isaac went: Shows Isaac taking action in response to the crisis. His immediate decision highlights human tendency to seek practical solutions to immediate threats, which may or may not align with God's ultimate plan. This specific movement also mirrors his father's earlier journey south to Egypt during famine.
- to Gerar: A significant Philistine city in the Negev desert, strategically located for trade and near water sources, making it a potential refuge during famine. Its previous appearance in Gen 20 establishes a historical relationship between Abraham and the kings of Gerar.
- to Abimelech king of the Philistines: Hebrew: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (Avimelekh). This name literally means "my father is king" or "king-father," and could be a dynastic title rather than a personal name, similar to "Pharaoh." The "Philistines" are introduced, an important people group who would later become major adversaries of Israel. Isaac's interaction with them here, under a powerful king, sets the stage for diplomatic and territorial challenges.
Genesis 26 1 Bonus section
The famine in Gen 26:1 subtly serves as a test of obedience for Isaac even before God gives explicit instructions in Gen 26:2-5. His natural inclination might have been to go to Egypt, the granary of the ancient world during famines, just as Abraham did (Gen 12:10). However, Gerar, while a foreign land, was closer to the land of promise and set the scene for God's precise command "Do not go down to Egypt" (Gen 26:2), marking a critical moment where Isaac demonstrates his obedience to God's unique plan for him. This instance foreshadows future tests and divine leading that would characterize Isaac's less dramatic but equally faith-filled journey compared to his father. The mention of "Abimelech" reinforces the continuity of interaction with a distinct Gentile power, showing the complex interplay between the covenant people and surrounding nations.
Genesis 26 1 Commentary
Genesis 26:1 concisely introduces a significant trial for Isaac, underscoring that the promised land and covenant inheritance do not exempt God’s people from hardship. The reoccurrence of famine, explicitly tied to Abraham’s experience, acts as both a test of Isaac's faith and a divine opportunity for God to reaffirm His covenant directly with Isaac. Isaac's immediate action of journeying to Gerar, to a powerful king, indicates his human approach to survival, reflecting practical wisdom but not yet necessarily divine guidance. This movement, however, strategically positions him to receive a crucial revelation from the Lord in the subsequent verses (Gen 26:2-5), preventing him from following Abraham's path to Egypt which had presented its own set of moral challenges. This famine, therefore, becomes a providential setup for God to refine Isaac’s understanding of trust and reliance solely on Him within the land He promised.