Genesis 26:5 kjv

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Genesis 26:5 nkjv

because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."

Genesis 26:5 niv

because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions."

Genesis 26:5 esv

because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."

Genesis 26:5 nlt

I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions."

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 5 Meaning

This verse clarifies the divine rationale for God’s promise to Isaac, attributing it directly to Abraham's unwavering and active obedience to God's revealed will. It highlights that the covenant blessings flow through generations due to the faithfulness of the patriarch, underscoring the principle that responding to God's directives leads to the fulfillment of His promises.

Genesis 26 5 Context

This verse is part of God's reaffirmation of the covenant with Isaac in Genesis 26. Following Abraham's death, Isaac faces a famine in the land (Gen 26:1), mirroring previous struggles. God instructs Isaac not to go down to Egypt but to stay in Gerar, promising to be with him and bless him with the land and multiply his descendants (Gen 26:2-4). Verse 5 then serves as the divine explanation for why God is bestowing these blessings and reconfirming the covenant promises upon Isaac: it is a direct consequence and reward for Abraham's exemplary life of faithful obedience. This clarifies that while the promises are gratuitous, the specific continuation and fulfillment of them are intrinsically linked to the prior faithfulness of Abraham, establishing a principle of divine faithfulness to His covenant and to those who obey. Historically, this pre-Mosaic era means "laws" did not refer to the codified Sinai covenant, but to God's direct commands and revealed will given personally to Abraham, such as leaving Ur, circumcision, and the sacrifice of Isaac.

Genesis 26 5 Word analysis

• because: This word highlights the causal relationship. God's blessings and the reaffirmation of the covenant are because of Abraham's past actions. It's a statement of divine justification and a foundational principle.

• Abraham: The specific patriarch whose actions are the basis for the blessing. His life serves as a model of faith and obedience throughout Scripture.

• obeyed: (Hebrew: shama - שָׁמַע). This term means more than just "heard." It signifies attentive listening that leads to action; to hear and respond positively, to heed. It implies submission to God's authority and immediate compliance with His spoken word or revealed will.

• My voice: (Hebrew: qol - קֹול). Refers to the direct verbal communication or explicit instructions from God. It points to Abraham's intimate, personal relationship with God, where God's will was made clear through audible or discernible divine utterances. Abraham actively listened and acted on these specific revelations.

• and kept: (Hebrew: shamar - שָׁמַר). This verb implies guarding, watching over, preserving, diligently observing, or maintaining. It speaks to sustained obedience, not just isolated acts, but a continuous lifestyle of adherence to God's commands.

• My charge: (Hebrew: mishmeret - מִשְׁמֶרֶת). This refers to what is to be guarded, a divine charge, an ordinance, or a duty. It is a broad term encompassing the responsibility or trust God placed upon Abraham, which included both general and specific requirements for living righteously.

• My commandments: (Hebrew: mitswah - מִצְוָה). These are specific divine commands or precepts, direct instructions from God that carry authority and require compliance. These were likely individual directives given over time, such as circumcising himself and his household (Gen 17).

• My statutes: (Hebrew: choq - חֹק). Refers to divine decrees or established ordinances that are fixed and unchangeable. These could be overarching principles for life and worship, ingrained patterns of behavior, or specific observances (e.g., perhaps related to tithing or maintaining purity, even if unwritten for Abraham).

• and My laws: (Hebrew: torah - תּוֹרָה). While Torah later specifically refers to the Mosaic Law, here it signifies divine instruction, teaching, or guidance in a general sense. It embodies the whole body of God's revealed will and way for Abraham, encompassing ethical standards, relational conduct, and practices that defined his walk with God, long before any formal written code.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "because Abraham obeyed My voice": This phrase highlights the source of Abraham's actions (divine direction) and the quality of his response (obedient hearing). It signifies a personal, responsive relationship with God, where God speaks and Abraham responds in faithful action.
  • "and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws": This extensive list of terms ("charge," "commandments," "statutes," "laws") is highly significant. It demonstrates that Abraham's obedience was not simplistic or isolated but comprehensive, encompassing various facets of God's revealed will. Even prior to the giving of the formalized Mosaic Law, God had expectations for how His people should live, reflecting His righteous character. This grouping of terms paints a picture of a full and diligent adherence to the complete range of divine instruction and requirement given to him, confirming that Abraham's faith was an active, working faith expressed through every known facet of God's will.

Genesis 26 5 Bonus section

This verse bridges the concept of "faith" and "works" as seen throughout Scripture. For Abraham, belief was intrinsically tied to responsive obedience, proving that his faith was alive and active. It reveals God's consistent expectation for His people: not merely passive acknowledgment, but a heart and life that aligns with His revealed word. This applies to believers today, emphasizing that walking with God involves actively living according to His New Testament commands and the leading of His Spirit, as an expression of love and trust. It demonstrates God's long-term plan, working through chosen individuals and their faithfulness to accomplish His redemptive purposes, proving His covenant faithfulness over generations.

Genesis 26 5 Commentary

Genesis 26:5 serves as a profound theological statement, providing the divine explanation for the continuation of the covenant promises to Isaac. God affirms that the blessings promised to Abraham's lineage are directly contingent upon Abraham's comprehensive and diligent obedience. This obedience was not a single act but a life characterized by heeding God's explicit voice and meticulously observing His overall revealed will—including His specific commands, broad responsibilities (charge), fixed principles (statutes), and general divine instructions (laws).

This verse is critical for understanding the nature of faith in the Old Testament before the Mosaic Law. Abraham's righteousness, noted in Genesis 15:6 as coming through faith, is here concretized and demonstrated through his consistent and complete obedience to God's directives. It dispels any notion that God’s blessings are arbitrary; rather, they are rooted in His unchanging character and His appreciation for faithfulness that translates into action. It establishes that while the covenant promises were initially unilateral and gracious, the ongoing experience and fulfillment of these promises within the chosen line were inextricably linked to a life of active and sustained fidelity to God's expressed will. It underscores that true faith always manifests itself in obedience.