Genesis 26:2

Translations

Modern

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.

Traditional

And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Literal

And YHWH appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell to you.

Latin

Apparuitque ei Dominus, et ait: Ne descendas in Ægyptum, sed quiesce in terra quam dixero tibi,

Original

Hebrew

English

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.

Notes

Genesis 26:2–5

The Lord assured Isaac that the covenant promises (compare 12:2–3; 15:5–8; 17:3–8; 22:15–18; 28:13–14) would pass to him because Abraham faithfully listened to God and obeyed all his requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions. These terms were later used in Deuteronomy to describe God’s full legal covenant with Israel.

An Israelite would immediately think of the complete Torah when hearing these words and be prompted to obey God’s law as Abraham did, though Abraham had only a few commands from the Lord. Through these words, the text emphasizes that Abraham would have obeyed the later commands if he had had them, because he was an obedient servant of the Lord.

Genesis 26:1–35

This section pauses Jacob’s story to focus on Isaac. Isaac’s success and wealth in chapter 26 show that God’s blessing had passed to him (compare 25:11), even though he sometimes failed to trust God.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Isaac Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 12:7
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 18:1
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Genesis 12:1
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Genesis 18:10–20
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.

Parallels

Genesis 12:1–9

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Abimelech Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Gerar Isaac Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Philistia, Philistines Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

Communion: Isaac God: The Care of Isaac Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: Abrahamic Covenant Confirmed In Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: Prophecies Concerning The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Isaac

Genesis 26:2

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