TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible
A famine came over the land, not the same as the first famine, which had taken place when Avraham was alive. Yitz'chak went to G'rar, to Avimelekh king of the P'lishtim.
Berean Standard Bible
Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.
American Standard Version
And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines, unto Gerar.
World English Bible Messianic
There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there was a famine in the lande besides the first famine that was in the dayes of Abraham. Wherefore Izhak went to Abimelech King of the Philistims vnto Gerar.
Young's Literal Translation
And there is a famine in the land, besides the first famine which was in the days of Abraham, and Isaac goeth unto Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.
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In the KJVVerse 694 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 26 verses 1–5
1 ¶ 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.
2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Here, I. God tried Isaac by his providence. Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the divine grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs; yet now there is a famine in the land, Gen 26:1. What shall he think of the promise when the promised land will not find him bread? Is such a grant worth accepting, upon such terms, and after so long a time? Yes, Isaac will still cleave to the covenant; and the less valuable Canaan in itself seems to be the better he is taught to value it, 1. As a token of God's everlasting kindness to him; and, 2. As a type of heaven's everlasting blessedness. Note, The intrinsic worth of God's promises cannot be lessened in a believer's eye by any cross providences.
II. He directed him under this trial by his word. Isaac finds himself straitened by the scarcity of provisions. Somewhere he must go for supply; it should seem, he set out for Egypt, whither his father went in the like strait, but he takes Gerar in his way, full of thoughts, no doubt, which way he had best steer his course, till God graciously appeared to him, and determined him, abundantly to his satisfaction. 1. God bade him stay where he was, and not go down into Egypt: Sojourn in this land, Gen 26:2, Gen 26:3. There was a famine in Jacob's days, and God bade him go down into Egypt (Gen 46:3, Gen 46:4), a famine in Isaac's days, and God bade him not to go down, a famine in Abraham's days, and God left him to his liberty, directing him neither way. This variety in the divine procedure (considering that Egypt was always a place of trial and exercise to God's people) some ground upon the different characters of these three patriarchs. Abraham was a man of very high attainments, and intimate communion with God; and to him all places and conditions were alike. Isaac was a very good man, but not cut out for hardship; therefore he is forbidden to go to Egypt. Jacob was inured to difficulties, strong and patient; and therefore he must go down into Egypt, that the trial of his faith might be to praise, and honour, and glory. Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength. 2. He promised to be with him, and bless him, Gen 26:3. As we may go any where with comfort when God's blessing goes with us, so we may stay any where contentedly if that blessing rest upon us. 3. He renewed the covenant with him, which had so often been made with Abraham, repeating and ratifying the promises of the land of Canaan, a numerous issue, and the Messiah, Gen 26:3, Gen 26:4. Note, Those that must live by faith have need often to review, and repeat to themselves, the promises they are to live upon, especially when they are called to any instance of suffering or self-denial. 4. He recommended to him the good example of his father's obedience, as that which had preserved the entail of the covenant in his family (Gen 26:5): "Abraham obeyed my voice; do thou do so too, and the promise shall be sure to thee." Abraham's obedience is here celebrated, to his honour; for by it he obtained a good report both with God and men. A great variety of words is here used to express the divine will, to which Abraham was obedient (my voice, my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws), which may intimate that Abraham's obedience was universal; he obeyed the original laws of nature, the revealed laws of divine worship, particularly that of circumcision, and all the extraordinary precepts God gave him, as that of quitting his country, and that (which some think is more especially referred to) of the offering up of his son, which Isaac himself had reason enough to remember. Note, Those only shall have the benefit and comfort of God's covenant with their godly parents that tread in the steps of their obedience.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 51.5-6
In case you might think he was talking about that previous famine, accordingly he added, “besides the famine in the patriarch’s time,” that is to say, another similar famine beset the land in Isaac’s time as in his father’s time. The scarcity of the necessities of life threw everyone into great apprehension, compelled them to leave their own home and travel to those places where it was possible to find an abundance of resources.Hence this good man too, on seeing the famine, “took the journey,” the text says, “to visit Abimelech in Gerar.” This was where Abraham came too, you remember, after his return from Egypt.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 26:1 opens with a stark declaration of a severe famine in the land, immediately drawing a parallel to a similar crisis experienced by Abraham. This environmental hardship serves as the catalyst for Isaac's journey to Gerar, a Philistine city ruled by King Abimelech. The verse thus establishes the challenging circumstances under which God's covenant promises to Isaac will be reaffirmed and tested, setting the stage for divine guidance and the demonstration of faith amidst adversity.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 26:1 employs several literary devices to enrich its meaning and connect it to the broader narrative. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically through the explicit comparison of Isaac's famine to "the first famine that was in the days of Abraham." This device not only links Isaac's experience directly to his father's but also establishes a recurring thematic pattern of divine testing within the patriarchal line. This parallelism serves to highlight the continuity of God's dealings with His chosen family and to foreshadow similar challenges and divine interventions. Additionally, the verse uses Foreshadowing by placing Isaac in a situation that echoes Abraham's past, hinting at the potential for similar errors (like deceiving a foreign king about his wife) but also setting the stage for God's direct, preventative intervention, which will distinguish Isaac's response from Abraham's. The mention of "Abimelech king of the Philistines" also functions as a form of Intertextual Reference, drawing the reader's mind back to the earlier account in Genesis 20, thereby adding layers of meaning and expectation to Isaac's impending interactions.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 26:1 powerfully illustrates that even those under divine blessing are not exempt from the harsh realities of a fallen world. The famine is not a sign of God's disfavor but rather a divinely permitted circumstance designed to test faith, refine character, and create an opportunity for God to demonstrate His faithfulness. It underscores the theme of God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people, even through hardship, guiding them to specific places and moments where His will can be revealed and His promises reaffirmed. Isaac's journey to Gerar, while a natural human response to crisis, becomes the precise context for God's direct intervention, demonstrating that human initiative, when submitted to divine direction, can lead to the fulfillment of God's purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 26:1 offers a profound and timeless lesson for believers navigating the inevitable hardships of life. Just as Isaac faced a famine, we too encounter "famines" in our modern world—whether they be economic downturns, relational crises, health struggles, or spiritual dryness. This verse reminds us that such trials are not necessarily indicators of God's absence or displeasure, but can be divinely appointed catalysts designed to draw us closer to Him and to test the genuineness of our faith. Isaac's immediate, human response was to seek a practical solution by going to Gerar, yet this very act placed him in a position to hear and obey God's specific instructions. For us, this means that while prudence and practical wisdom are valuable, our ultimate reliance must be on God's guidance. We are called to seek His wisdom and direction in our decisions, especially during times of crisis, trusting that the God who sustained Abraham and Isaac through their famines remains faithful to His people today, ensuring His promises endure through all circumstances. Our challenges are opportunities for God to demonstrate His sovereignty and provision, deepening our dependence on Him rather than on our own ingenuity or worldly solutions.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the text mention a "first famine" in Abraham's time?
Answer: The explicit mention of a "first famine that was in the days of Abraham" serves a crucial literary and theological purpose. It establishes a deliberate parallel between Isaac's experience and that of his father, highlighting a recurring pattern of hardship and divine testing within the patriarchal narrative. This comparison emphasizes the continuity of challenges faced by God's covenant people across generations, demonstrating that even those under divine blessing are not exempt from adversity. Furthermore, it distinguishes this current famine as a separate, distinct event, underscoring its unique significance for Isaac's personal journey of faith and obedience, particularly as it sets the stage for God's specific instructions to him in Genesis 26:2.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 26:1, while detailing a patriarchal trial, subtly points to Christ by illustrating God's providential care for His covenant line amidst adversity, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would come. Just as God preserved Isaac through famine, preventing him from going to Egypt and instead directing him to remain in the land, so too does Christ embody God's ultimate provision and preservation for His people. He is the true "bread of life" (John 6:35) who sustains His followers through every spiritual famine and worldly trial, ensuring that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst. While Isaac sought temporary refuge in Gerar, Christ offers eternal refuge and sustenance, fulfilling the promise of a land where no spiritual hunger or thirst exists (Revelation 7:16). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's faithfulness to His covenant, not merely preserving a physical lineage but establishing an eternal kingdom where His people are eternally nourished and secure in Him (Hebrews 13:8).