Genesis 26:24 kjv

And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

Genesis 26:24 nkjv

And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake."

Genesis 26:24 niv

That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."

Genesis 26:24 esv

And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake."

Genesis 26:24 nlt

where the LORD appeared to him on the night of his arrival. "I am the God of your father, Abraham," he said. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant."

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 24 Meaning

Genesis 26:24 recounts a pivotal divine encounter where the LORD personally appears to Isaac. He reaffirms His covenant relationship, identifying Himself as the God of Abraham. God addresses Isaac's likely fear by commanding him to "fear not," immediately followed by the comforting assurance of His continuous presence ("I am with thee"). Furthermore, the verse delivers three specific promises to Isaac: divine blessing, multiplication of his descendants, and crucially, states that these blessings are bestowed "for my servant Abraham's sake," emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness to the covenant established with Isaac's father.

Genesis 26 24 Context

Genesis chapter 26 details Isaac's journey and experiences during a famine in the land of Canaan, drawing significant parallels to his father Abraham's life. Forced by the famine, Isaac travels to Gerar, ruled by King Abimelech, and out of fear, deceitfully presents Rebekah as his sister (Gen 26:1-7), mirroring Abraham's actions. After his deception is discovered (Gen 26:8-11), God's blessing becomes evident through Isaac's immense prosperity in Gerar (Gen 26:12-14), leading to envy and expulsion by the Philistines. Isaac subsequently moves through the valley of Gerar, contending for wells, symbols of sustenance and ownership (Gen 26:15-22). He names these wells Esek ("contention"), Sitnah ("enmity"), and Rehoboth ("room" or "broad places"), reflecting his journey from conflict to spaciousness. Finally, he relocates to Beersheba (Gen 26:23), a historically significant location for Abraham's past covenants. It is precisely in this context of hardship, displacement, fear, and eventual respite that God's direct appearance in verse 24 occurs, providing crucial reaffirmation of the covenant in a place of perceived stability.

Genesis 26 24 Word analysis

• "And the LORD": יְהוָה (YHWH), the sacred covenant name of God, indicating His personal, relational, and unchanging character, emphasizing His faithfulness to promises.
• "appeared": וַיֵּרָא (vayyēra'), from the verb רָאָה (ra'ah) in the Nifal stem, meaning "he caused himself to be seen" or "he revealed himself." This denotes a direct, initiated divine manifestation or theophany, rather than a vision or dream.
• "unto him": Referring to Isaac, emphasizing a specific, personal encounter between God and the patriarch.
• "the same night": Immediately after Isaac's arrival and settlement at Beersheba (Gen 26:23). This highlights God's swiftness and timely intervention to address Isaac's situation and confirm His presence.
• "and said": Indicates direct, audible divine communication, a spoken revelation of His will and promises.
• "I am the God of Abraham thy father": אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אָבִיךָ (Elohei Avraham Avikha). This foundational self-identification connects Isaac directly to the established covenant line, grounding the present promise in God's faithfulness to the past. It signifies the continuity of the covenant through generations.
• "fear not": אַל־תִּירָא (al-tira'), a strong imperative. This divine command addresses any anxiety, uncertainty, or fear Isaac may have harbored due to his past experiences (famine, deception, strife over wells, displacement), assuring him of divine protection and care.
• "for I am with thee": כִּי אִתְּךָ אָנֹכִי (ki ittəḵā ʾānōḵî). "I Myself am with you." This is the foundational reason for "fear not." God's personal, enduring presence and active support provide the ultimate security and empowerment. This phrase carries the "Immanuel" concept of God's abiding presence.
• "and will bless thee": וּבֵרַכְתִּיךָ (uvēraḵtîḵā), from בָּרַךְ (barakh), "to bless." A direct promise of comprehensive divine favor, encompassing prosperity, well-being, and fruitfulness, confirming the continuation of Abraham's blessing (Gen 12:2-3).
• "and multiply thy seed": וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶת־זַרְעֶךָ (vəhirbētî et-zarʿeḵā). "And I will greatly increase your offspring." Fulfilling the demographic aspect of the Abrahamic covenant – the promise of numerous descendants, making Isaac a patriarch of a vast lineage. "Seed" (זֶרַע, zera) also carries collective and sometimes singular/Messianic implications.
• "for my servant Abraham's sake": בַּעֲבוּר אַבְרָהָם עַבְדִּי (baʿăvûr ʾavrâām ʿavdî). This crucial phrase grounds the blessings in God's prior covenant faithfulness to Abraham, His "servant" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved), highlighting that the blessings flow from God's promise-keeping and the established relationship, not primarily from Isaac's merit. It underscores the unconditional and generational nature of the covenant.

Genesis 26 24 Bonus section

• Theophany in Beersheba: Beersheba served as a significant location for patriarchal encounters with God (Gen 21:31; 26:33; 46:1). God's appearance here firmly establishes Beersheba as a consecrated site within Isaac's story, mirroring its importance in Abraham's life and foreshadowing its later significance for Jacob.
• Divine Initiative: The phrase "appeared unto him" (וַיֵּרָא - vayyēra') highlights God's initiative in revealing Himself. Isaac did not seek this revelation; God actively approached him in his vulnerable state, demonstrating His proactive care and desire to sustain His covenant.
• Continuity of Promises: The verse beautifully illustrates the concept of inherited blessing and God's multi-generational covenant. While Isaac had his own struggles, God honored the covenant made with Abraham through him, showing God's loyalty and the binding nature of His Word through time.

Genesis 26 24 Commentary

Genesis 26:24 encapsulates the heart of God's covenant relationship with His chosen people. Following a period of uncertainty, fear, and conflict in Isaac's life, God's appearance is a timely and deeply personal reassurance. His self-identification as the "God of Abraham thy father" immediately establishes a foundation of unchanging faithfulness, reminding Isaac of the enduring promises made to his progenitor. The command "fear not," followed by the divine promise "I am with thee," forms a paradigm for trusting God's active presence amidst life's challenges. This echoes through Scripture, affirming that God's companionship is the ultimate antidote to human anxiety. The reiteration of the blessings of multiplication and prosperity confirms the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant with the next generation. Significantly, these promises are explicitly granted "for my servant Abraham's sake." This reveals that God's covenant loyalty and graciousness are not dependent solely on the immediate recipient's actions but on His unwavering commitment to His prior promises and to the fidelity of His chosen servants. It teaches that inherited blessings are rooted in God's faithfulness to His Word across generations.