Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryGenesis 26

Genesis 26:1-5: Removal of Isaac to Gerar This passage tells how Isaac faced a famine in the land, just like Abraham did before him. Isaac had learned to trust God’s promise that Canaan would belong to his family, but he still had to experience hard times. Even when the promised land did not have enough food, Isaac stayed faithful to God’s covenant. God used this time to teach Isaac to value His promises, not because of the land’s riches, but because of God’s kindness and the blessing connected to it. God’s promises are still valuable, even when life is difficult (Genesis 26:1-5 ).v. 1: There was a famine in Canaan, different from the one in Abraham’s time. Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech, king of the Philistines. It was a test for Isaac to see if he would trust God’s promise even when there was not enough food .

v. 2: The Lord

v. 3: God told Isaac to live in that land. God promised to be with him and bless him. He said He would give these lands to Isaac and his descendants, and keep the promise made to Abraham. When God’s blessing is with us, we can be content anywhere .

v. 4: God repeated the promises given to Abraham: many descendants, the land of Canaan, and that through Isaac’s family all nations would be blessed. This is a reminder that God keeps His promises and often repeats them to strengthen our faith .

v. 5: God explained that these blessings were given because Abraham listened and obeyed God in everything—His voice, His commands, and His special instructions. Isaac is reminded to follow Abraham’s example so that he too can enjoy God’s covenant promises .

Genesis 26:6-11: Isaac's Denial of His Wife This section tells how Isaac made the same mistake as his father Abraham by pretending that his wife Rebekah was his sister. Isaac was living in Gerar, obeying God's command not to go down to Egypt. Even though he was following God, he still fell into temptation by trying to protect himself through deception. This shows that even people of faith can make serious mistakes. It also reminds us to be careful not to copy the weaknesses of those we respect. In the end, God protected Isaac and Rebekah, using even their mistakes to teach important lessons (Genesis 26:6-11 ).v. 6: Isaac stayed in Gerar, as God had told him. This was the land where he was born .

v. 7: When the men in Gerar asked about Rebekah, Isaac said she was his sister because he was afraid they might kill him to take her, since she was very beautiful. Like Abraham, Isaac chose to hide the truth out of fear .

v. 8: After some time, King Abimelech saw Isaac and Rebekah being affectionate in a way that showed they were husband and wife, not brother and sister. This revealed Isaac's lie (Genesis 26:8; Proverbs 5:18 ).

v. 9: Abimelech confronted Isaac, saying it was obvious that Rebekah was his wife and not his sister. Isaac admitted he was afraid he might be killed because of her .

v. 10: Abimelech pointed out how dangerous Isaac's lie was. Someone could have sinned with Rebekah, and this would have brought guilt on everyone in the land .

v. 11: Abimelech ordered all his people not to harm Isaac or Rebekah. Anyone who did would be put to death. God used Abimelech to keep Isaac and Rebekah safe, even after Isaac’s mistake (Genesis 26:11; Psalm 105:14-15 ).

Genesis 26:12-25: Isaac's Removal to Beersheba This passage shows how God blessed Isaac in many ways, even when he faced trouble and jealousy from others. Isaac worked hard, trusted God, and became very successful, but his success also brought problems with the Philistines. They envied him and made life difficult by stopping up wells and forcing him to move. Even so, Isaac responded with patience and chose the way of peace instead of fighting. Through it all, God continued to guide and comfort Isaac, reminding him of His promises. Isaac kept his faith strong and continued to worship God wherever he went (Genesis 26:12-25 ).v. 12: Isaac planted crops in the land and received a hundred times as much as he planted that same year. This was a special blessing from the Lord

v. 13: Isaac became richer and richer, and his wealth kept increasing until he was very powerful .

v. 14: He had many flocks, herds, and servants. The Philistines became jealous of Isaac because of his great wealth and success .

v. 15: The Philistines showed their jealousy by filling up all the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug. This was done out of spite, even though they did not need the wells themselves (Genesis 26:15; Genesis 21:31-32 ).

v. 16: Abimelech, the king of Gerar, told Isaac to leave because Isaac had become too powerful and wealthy for them .

v. 17: Isaac moved away peacefully and made his home in the valley of Gerar. He did not argue or fight but chose to keep peace .

v. 18: Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug during Abraham's time but had been filled by the Philistines. He gave them the same names Abraham had used, showing respect for his father and tradition .

v. 19: Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well with fresh, flowing water. Isaac continued to work hard and trust God to provide .

v. 20: The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s servants, saying the water was theirs. Isaac named the well Esek, meaning “contention,” because of the dispute .

v. 21: They dug another well, but the people argued over that one too. Isaac called it Sitnah, meaning “opposition” or “hatred” .

v. 22: Isaac moved again and dug another well. This time, no one argued over it. He named it Rehoboth, meaning “room,” and said that the Lord

v. 23: Isaac then went up to Beersheba, continuing to move as needed to keep peace .

v. 24: That night, the Lord

v. 25: Isaac built an altar there, worshipped the Lord

Genesis 26:26-33: Isaac's Covenant with Abimelech This passage tells how Isaac and Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, moved from conflict to peace. Even though the Philistines had been jealous of Isaac and had sent him away, God worked in their hearts to seek friendship with him. Abimelech and his officials came to Isaac wanting to make a covenant of peace. Isaac welcomed them, and they made an agreement not to harm each other. God blessed Isaac during this time, showing that when we follow God’s ways—even if others hurt us—He can turn enemies into friends (Genesis 26:26-33 ).v. 26: Abimelech, with his friend Ahuzzath and the army chief Phichol, came from Gerar to visit Isaac. This was a sign that Abimelech now respected Isaac (Genesis 26:26; Proverbs 16:7 ).

v. 27: Isaac was careful and asked why they had come, since they had sent him away before. He wisely questioned their intentions, showing it is good to be cautious with people who have treated us badly .

v. 28: Abimelech and his officials explained that they saw the Lord

v. 29: Abimelech asked Isaac to promise not to harm them, saying they had not harmed him and had sent him away in peace. He recognized that Isaac was the blessed of the Lord

v. 30: Isaac prepared a feast for Abimelech and his men. They ate and drank together, showing that Isaac was generous and willing to forgive the past .

v. 31: Early the next morning, they made a formal oath to each other. Isaac then sent them away in peace, and they left as friends .

v. 32: On the same day, Isaac’s servants brought news that they had found water in a well they had dug. This was a special blessing from God, showing His favor on Isaac’s peaceful actions .

v. 33: Isaac named the well Shebah, which means “oath.” Because of this, the city is called Beer-sheba to this day. The name reminds everyone of the covenant made there .

Genesis 26:34-35: Esau's Foolish Marriage This short passage tells how Esau made a poor decision by marrying two Hittite women. These women were from the local Canaanite people, who did not follow the faith of Abraham’s family. Esau’s choice showed that he did not care about the spiritual heritage or the promises God gave to his family. His marriages caused great sadness and trouble for his parents, Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35 ).v. 34: When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. It was foolish because he married two wives at once and chose women from the Canaanites, who did not know God (Hebrews 12:16 ).

v. 35: These marriages brought much grief to Isaac and Rebekah. They were upset because Esau did not ask for their advice or care about their wishes, and because his wives did not follow the same faith. Children who ignore their parents and choose ungodly partners may bring sorrow to their families as well (Genesis 26:35 ).