Genesis 26:29

KJV

That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou [art] now the blessed of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

That thou wilt do {H6213} us no hurt {H7451}, as we have not touched {H5060} thee, and as we have done {H6213} unto thee nothing but {H7535} good {H2896}, and have sent thee away {H7971} in peace {H7965}: thou art now {H6258} the blessed {H1288} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that you will not harm us, just as we have not caused you offense but have done you nothing but good and sent you on your way in peace. Now you are blessed by ADONAI.'"

Berean Standard Bible

that you will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only good to you, sending you on your way in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.”

American Standard Version

that thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 26:29 captures a pivotal moment when Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar, along with his officials, approaches Isaac to establish a peace treaty. This encounter marks a significant shift from their previous hostility and expulsion of Isaac, as Abimelech acknowledges God's undeniable blessing and favor upon Isaac, recognizing him as "the blessed of the LORD." Their overture for peace, based on their claim of having done Isaac "nothing but good," underscores a pragmatic desire to secure their own well-being by aligning with one clearly favored by the divine.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 26 details a period of Isaac's life in Gerar, a Philistine territory. Following a famine, Isaac had been instructed by God to stay in the land rather than go to Egypt ([Genesis 26:2](/genesis/26-2 "God's instruction to Isaac to remain in the land")). Despite Isaac's subsequent prosperity, which led to the envy of the Philistines, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, eventually asked Isaac to leave his territory ([Genesis 26:16](/genesis/26-16 "Abimelech's request for Isaac to depart")). Isaac complied, moving to the valley of Gerar and continuing to thrive. Verse 29 captures a pivotal moment when Abimelech, along with his chief captain Phichol and his friend Ahuzzath, travels to Isaac to make a peace treaty, their words revealing a significant shift from envy and expulsion to a recognition of God's undeniable blessing on Isaac.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of Genesis 26:29 records Abimelech's declaration to Isaac: "That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou [art] now the blessed of the LORD." This statement is rich in both irony and profound theological insight.

Abimelech's opening plea, "That thou wilt do us no hurt," reveals his underlying fear and recognition of Isaac's growing power and divine favor. His claim, "as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace," is a self-serving reinterpretation of past events. While they may not have initiated physical violence, they certainly acted with hostility, envy, and expulsion, forcing Isaac to relocate. Their "sending away in peace" was a euphemism for driving him out. This demonstrates a common human tendency to justify past actions while seeking future advantage.

The climax of Abimelech's statement, "thou art now the blessed of the LORD," is a remarkable confession from a pagan king. The Hebrew word for "blessed" here is *barak* (בָּרַךְ), which signifies divine favor, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. It implies that God has bestowed good upon Isaac, making him successful and fruitful in all his endeavors, despite the Philistines' attempts to hinder him. This blessing was so tangible and evident in Isaac's life and holdings that even those who did not worship Yahweh could not deny its source. The Philistines, though not worshippers of Yahweh, clearly saw the tangible effects of this divine blessing on Isaac's life and holdings. The concept of "peace" (Hebrew: *shalom* - שָׁלוֹם) is also significant, representing not merely the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony, which they now sought with Isaac. Abimelech's acknowledgment is not necessarily a conversion but a pragmatic recognition of God's sovereign hand at work, compelling him to seek a non-aggression pact with one clearly favored by a powerful deity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Blessing and Prosperity:** The verse powerfully highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the blessing reiterated to Isaac ([Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's renewed promise to Isaac")). Isaac's prosperity, despite opposition and expulsion, was so evident that even outsiders acknowledged it.
* **Recognition of God's Hand by Outsiders:** Abimelech's declaration underscores that God's favor on His people can be so manifest that it is recognized even by those who do not worship Him. This echoes a similar recognition by Abimelech's predecessor towards Abraham in an earlier covenant ([Genesis 21:22](/genesis/21-22 "Abimelech's covenant with Abraham")).
* **Seeking Peace and Reconciliation:** Having previously acted with hostility, Abimelech and his officials now seek a non-aggression pact. Their desire for _shalom_ with Isaac, though motivated by self-preservation, demonstrates the power of God's blessing to compel even adversaries to seek peace.
* **Integrity and Godly Conduct:** Isaac's consistent walk with God, marked by patience and trust even when wronged, ultimately led to this public acknowledgment of God's blessing upon him, serving as a powerful witness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights for believers today, reinforcing God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Even when circumstances are difficult or people are hostile, God's blessing on His faithful servants will prevail and be evident, serving as a powerful testimony to those around us. Isaac's prosperity and peace, despite being driven out, spoke volumes to Abimelech about the God he served. While Isaac was the wronged party, he welcomed Abimelech's overture for peace, demonstrating a spirit of reconciliation that aligns with biblical principles of living peaceably with all, as encouraged in the New Testament ([Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Living peaceably with all people")). Ultimately, this passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all, even over the hearts of kings, and can turn the hearts of enemies to recognize His hand and seek peace.

### FAQ
**Why did Abimelech and his officials come to Isaac to make a treaty?**

Answer: Abimelech and his officials came to Isaac because they had observed God's undeniable blessing and prosperity upon him, even after they had driven him out. They recognized that "the LORD is with thee" and sought to secure their own well-being by entering into a non-aggression pact with someone so clearly favored by God. Their motivation was pragmatic, born out of a desire to avoid potential harm from Isaac, whom they now acknowledged as "the blessed of the LORD."

**What does "the blessed of the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "the blessed of the LORD" signifies that Isaac was the recipient of tangible divine favor, prosperity, and success in all his endeavors. The Hebrew word *barak* (blessed) implies that God had actively bestowed good upon Isaac, making him fruitful and successful in his flocks, wells, and overall well-being. Abimelech's statement is an acknowledgment that Isaac's prosperity was not due to his own efforts alone, but was a direct result of Yahweh's special favor upon him.

**Does Abimelech's statement imply he converted to worshipping Yahweh?**

Answer: Abimelech's statement, "thou art now the blessed of the LORD," does not necessarily imply a full conversion to the worship of Yahweh. While it is a remarkable recognition of God's power and favor, it appears to be a pragmatic acknowledgment of a powerful deity's influence on Isaac, rather than a personal commitment to Yahweh as his own God. It reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding that the gods of a people were responsible for their prosperity, and it was wise to be on good terms with those favored by such a powerful deity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaac's experience in Genesis 26:29, where his enemies recognize God's blessing on his life and seek peace, foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Christ is the true "Blessed of the LORD," the Son upon whom God's favor eternally rests ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "God's declaration of Christ as His beloved Son")). While Isaac's blessing led to a temporary, pragmatic peace treaty, Christ's life, death, and resurrection bring about an eternal, redemptive peace, reconciling humanity not just with each other but with God Himself ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Reconciliation through Christ")). Through Christ, the world, once hostile and alienated from God, is invited to acknowledge the ultimate divine favor and enter into a covenant of peace and life, transforming enemies into adopted children who share in His eternal blessedness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.