Genesis 26:3

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

Sojourn {H1481} in this land {H776}, and I will be with thee, and will bless {H1288} thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed {H2233}, I will give {H5414} all these {H411} countries {H776}, and I will perform {H6965} the oath {H7621} which I sware {H7650} unto Abraham {H85} thy father {H1};

Complete Jewish Bible

Stay in this land, and I will be with you and bless you, because I will give all these lands to you and to your descendants. I will fulfill the oath which I swore to Avraham your father -

Berean Standard Bible

Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.

American Standard Version

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 lands, and I will establish the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Promise to Isaac") presents a pivotal divine promise to Isaac, unequivocally reaffirming the Abrahamic covenant's blessings and the land inheritance. This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness, His active presence with His chosen, and the continuity of His redemptive plan across generations, ensuring the fulfillment of His sworn oath.

### CONTEXT
This divine encounter with Isaac occurs during a severe famine in the land of Gerar, prompting him to consider migrating to Egypt for sustenance, much like [Abraham had done in an earlier famine](/genesis/12-10 "Abraham's Journey to Egypt"). However, God specifically instructs Isaac to "sojourn in this land" (the region of Gerar, within Canaan) rather than leaving. This direct command emphasizes God's desire for Isaac to remain in the promised territory, trusting in divine provision and guidance even amidst challenging circumstances, thereby testing and strengthening his faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Promise to Isaac") records God's direct address to Isaac, echoing and reaffirming the covenant promises made to his father, Abraham. The verse can be broken down into several key components:

* **"Sojourn in this land"**: This is God's direct command to Isaac. The Hebrew word for "sojourn" (גּוּר, *gur*) implies living as a temporary resident or a non-native in a land. It suggests a period of waiting, dependence, and not yet full possession, emphasizing Isaac's pilgrim status and reliance on God's timing for complete inheritance. God specifically directs Isaac to remain in the land of Canaan, despite the famine, rather than seeking refuge in Egypt. This command tests Isaac's obedience and trust in God's provision over his natural inclination to flee hardship.

* **"and I will be with thee, and will bless thee"**: This foundational promise assures Isaac of God's constant companionship and protective care. The divine presence ("I will be with thee") is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, signifying God's intimate relationship with His chosen people and His commitment to never abandon them. This presence guarantees the blessing, which encompasses prosperity, protection, and fruitfulness, even in adverse conditions.

* **"for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries"**: Here, God explicitly reiterates His commitment to "give all these countries" (the land of Canaan) to Isaac and his descendants. This [promise of the land of Canaan](/genesis/15-18 "The Land Covenant in Genesis 15") is central to the Abrahamic covenant, serving as the physical inheritance for the future nation of Israel. The term "seed" (זֶרַע, *zera*) refers primarily to Isaac's physical descendants. However, in its broadest biblical application, particularly through New Testament interpretation, it points ultimately to the singular "Seed," [Christ Himself](/galatians/3-16 "Paul's Interpretation of the Seed"), through whom the spiritual blessings of the covenant extend to all nations.

* **"and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father"**: This declaration underscores God's absolute reliability and the unconditional nature of His covenant. His promises are not conditional on human merit but are founded on His unchanging character and solemn oath. This reiteration provides a firm foundation for faith, assuring Isaac that the covenant is not dependent on his performance but on God's faithfulness to His word, as further emphasized in [Hebrews 6:13-14](/hebrews/6-13 "God's Unchanging Oath"). God's commitment to "perform" His oath highlights His active involvement in bringing His promises to fruition across generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Faithfulness:** The verse profoundly demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, extending them across generations from Abraham to Isaac.
* **Covenant Continuity:** It establishes the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant, showing that God's redemptive plan is generational and not limited to a single individual.
* **God's Active Presence:** The promise "I will be with thee" highlights the immanence of God and His active, protective presence with His people, a theme central to biblical theology.
* **The Land Promise:** The reiteration of the land inheritance underscores its significance as a tangible expression of God's blessing and a foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual inheritance.
* **The Seed of Promise:** The reference to "thy seed" points forward to the lineage through which God's ultimate redemptive purposes would be fulfilled, culminating in Christ.
* **Sovereignty and Providence:** God's command to "sojourn in this land" during a famine illustrates His sovereign control over circumstances and His providential care for His people, guiding them even through hardship.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Promise to Isaac") offers profound encouragement for contemporary believers. It teaches us the importance of trusting God's specific instructions, even when they seem counter to our immediate circumstances or human logic (like remaining in a famine-stricken area). It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises across generations and that His presence is our ultimate security. Like Isaac, we are called to live by faith, confident that God will indeed "perform" His word and fulfill His divine purposes in our lives and through His enduring covenant, providing for us even in challenging times.

### FAQ

**Why did God instruct Isaac to "sojourn in this land" during a famine instead of migrating?**

Answer: God's instruction for Isaac to remain in Canaan during the famine was a test of faith and an act of divine preservation. It underscored that God's provision was not dependent on Isaac's efforts to find sustenance elsewhere, but on His own sovereign power and faithfulness to the covenant. By staying, Isaac demonstrated trust in God's ability to sustain him in the promised land, reinforcing the spiritual significance of remaining within the sphere of God's direct command and blessing.

**How does God's reaffirmation of the oath to Isaac demonstrate His character?**

Answer: God's reaffirmation of the oath to Isaac demonstrates His immutable faithfulness, trustworthiness, and the unconditional nature of His covenant. It shows that God's promises are not fleeting or dependent on human merit, but are grounded in His unchanging character. This act reinforces His reliability as a covenant-keeping God, providing a firm foundation for the faith of all generations who would inherit the promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Promise to Isaac") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment primarily through the promise of "thy seed" and the extension of blessing. While initially referring to Isaac's physical descendants, the New Testament, particularly [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Paul's Interpretation of the Seed"), clarifies that the singular "Seed" to whom the promises were ultimately directed is Christ. Through Christ, the spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic covenant—God's presence, blessing, and the inheritance of a spiritual kingdom—are extended not only to Israel but to all nations, fulfilling the promise that "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Thus, the covenant promises to Abraham and Isaac are fully realized and universalized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true heir of the promise and through whom believers become spiritual heirs.

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.