Genesis 26:29

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.

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}.

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.'"

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.โ€

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

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). Despite Isaac's prosperity, which led to the envy of the Philistines, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, eventually asked Isaac to leave his territory (Genesis 26:16). 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 reveal a significant shift: from envy and expulsion to a recognition of God's undeniable blessing on Isaac.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blessing and Prosperity: The verse powerfully highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the blessing reiterated to Isaac (Genesis 26:3). Isaac's prosperity, despite opposition, was so evident that even outsiders acknowledged it.
  • Recognition of God's Hand: Abimelech's declaration, "thou art now the blessed of the LORD," is a remarkable confession from a pagan king. It 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 Genesis 21.
  • Seeking Peace and Reconciliation: Having previously acted with hostility, Abimelech and his officials now seek a non-aggression pact. They acknowledge their past actions ("we have done unto thee nothing but good" from their perspective, meaning they had not initiated physical harm, but had sent him away) and desire to ensure no future harm from Isaac.
  • 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.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the blessed of the LORD" is central. The Hebrew word for "blessed" here is barak (ื‘ึธึผืจึทืšึฐ), which signifies divine favor, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. It implies that God has bestowed good upon Isaac, making him successful and fruitful. 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 - ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื) 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.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness: It reinforces 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.
  • Witness Through Life: Our lives, when lived in submission to God, can be 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.
  • Seeking Reconciliation: 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 men (Romans 12:18).
  • God's Sovereignty: 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.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 24:31

    And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

  • Genesis 21:22

    ยถ And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in all that thou doest:

  • Genesis 22:17

    That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

  • Psalms 115:15

    Ye [are] blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

  • Genesis 12:2

    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

  • Genesis 26:11

    And Abimelech charged all [his] people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

  • Genesis 26:12

    ยถ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
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