Genesis 26:5

KJV

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because {H6118} that Abraham {H85} obeyed {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and kept {H8104} my charge {H4931}, my commandments {H4687}, my statutes {H2708}, and my laws {H8451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All this is because Avraham heeded what I said and did what I told him to do -he followed my mitzvot, my regulations and my teachings."

Berean Standard Bible

because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

American Standard Version

because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 26:5 serves as a profound divine declaration, explaining God's rationale for reaffirming the Abrahamic covenant to Isaac. It underscores that the enduring legacy of blessing upon Abraham's lineage is directly tied to Abraham's comprehensive and faithful obedience to God's revealed will. This verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to His promises, demonstrating that Abraham's diligent adherence to God's voice, charge, commandments, statutes, and laws—even prior to the formal Mosaic Law—established a foundational precedent for generational blessings, illustrating the profound impact of a life lived in full submission to divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 26 unfolds during a severe famine, mirroring a similar crisis in Abraham's time. Isaac, like his father, contemplates migrating to Egypt but is divinely instructed by God to remain in Gerar. It is in this context of potential fear and uncertainty that God appears to Isaac, reaffirming the covenant promises initially made to Abraham. This divine appearance and the subsequent declaration in [Genesis 26:2-4](/genesis/26-2-4 "God's Reassurance to Isaac") precede and set the stage for verse 5, which provides the explicit *reason* for God's renewed commitment to Isaac. The immediate narrative then details Isaac's interactions with Abimelech, his prosperity, and the envy it provokes, all of which implicitly flow from the blessings promised and justified by Abraham's obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The patriarchal period (roughly 2000-1500 BC) was characterized by nomadic or semi-nomadic existence, reliance on divine guidance, and the foundational development of a covenant relationship between God and a chosen people. In this era, formal, written legal codes like the Mosaic Law were centuries away. Therefore, "laws," "statutes," and "commandments" for Abraham would have referred to direct, progressive divine revelation received through personal communication, prophetic instruction, or inherent moral principles understood by humanity. The concept of a father's legacy and the generational transfer of blessings and curses was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern cultures, making God's explicit link between Abraham's obedience and Isaac's blessing highly significant and culturally resonant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises across generations, even when human circumstances are challenging. Secondly, it highlights the **Generational Impact of Obedience**, illustrating how the faithfulness of one generation can secure blessings for succeeding ones, a principle echoed throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 20:6](/exodus/20-6 "God shows mercy to thousands of generations")). Thirdly, it delves into the **Nature of Pre-Mosaic Revelation and Obedience**, showing that God had a revealed will for humanity and His chosen people long before Sinai, and that true faith was always characterized by active submission to that will. Finally, it subtly foreshadows the ultimate **Blessing to All Nations** through Abraham's seed, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, as seen in passages like [Galatians 3:8-9](/galatians/3-8-9 "The Gospel Preached to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of Genesis 26:5 explicitly states the divine reason for God's continued blessings upon Isaac: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." This declaration highlights a fundamental biblical principle: God honors and rewards obedience. It's not merely a casual observation but a direct causal link established by God Himself, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His recognition of Abraham's devoted walk. The verse emphasizes that Abraham's obedience was not selective but holistic, encompassing every aspect of God's revealed will to him.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Because (Hebrew, _ʻêqeb'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "heel" or "end," here functions adverbially to denote "on account of" or "as a result of." It establishes a clear causal link, indicating that the blessings pronounced upon Isaac are directly consequent to Abraham's actions. It underscores the principle of divine recompense for faithful adherence.
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** More than merely "hearing," this primitive root implies an intelligent and attentive hearing that leads to action, often with the implication of attention and obedience. In this context, it signifies Abraham's active listening and responsive submission to God's direct communications and instructions, such as the call to leave Ur or the command to sacrifice Isaac.
* **kept (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** This verb means "to guard," "to protect," or "to attend to." When applied to God's commands, it signifies a diligent, careful, and active observance, a watchful adherence to what has been entrusted. It suggests a sustained commitment to God's directives, not merely a one-time act but a lifestyle of preservation and adherence.
* **statutes (Hebrew, _chuqqâh'_):** This term refers to an "enactment" or "ordinance," often implying something prescribed, fixed, or engraved. It denotes established decrees or customary practices that Abraham was to follow, representing the settled and unchangeable aspects of God's will revealed to him. Its presence alongside "commandments" and "laws" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's revealed will and Abraham's holistic adherence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because that Abraham obeyed my voice":** This initial clause establishes the foundational reason for God's continued blessing. Abraham's obedience was not merely intellectual assent but an active, responsive heeding of God's direct, personal communication. This "voice" (`qôwl`) implies specific, often verbal, instructions from God, to which Abraham consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen and act.
* **"and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws":** This comprehensive enumeration details the breadth and depth of Abraham's obedience. "My charge" (`mishmereth`) refers to something entrusted to his care, a duty or ordinance to be observed diligently. "My commandments" (`mitsvâh`) are general divine precepts. "My statutes" (`chuqqâh`) denote fixed ordinances or decrees. "My laws" (`tôwrâh`), in its plural form, signifies the entirety of God's revealed instruction and guidance. Together, these terms paint a picture of Abraham's life as one of holistic, consistent, and diligent submission to every facet of God's revealed will, even in the absence of a formal, codified law like the Mosaic Law.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to emphasize its core message. **Repetition** is evident in the cumulative list of terms describing God's revealed will: "my voice," "my charge," "my commandments," "my statutes," and "my laws." This **Accumulation** or **Polysyndeton** (the repeated use of "and") serves to underscore the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of Abraham's obedience, demonstrating that he did not merely obey one command but diligently adhered to every aspect of God's instruction. The structure itself creates a sense of **Emphasis** on the profound and thorough nature of Abraham's faithfulness. Furthermore, the opening word "Because" establishes a clear **Causal Language**, presenting Abraham's obedience as the direct and explicit reason for God's continued covenant blessings upon Isaac, thereby highlighting the divine principle of rewarding faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 26:5 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the dynamic relationship between divine promise, human obedience, and generational blessing within the biblical narrative. It powerfully articulates that while God's covenant with Abraham was initiated by grace and rooted in God's sovereign choice, the *continuation* and *manifestation* of its blessings are intrinsically linked to the faithful response of His people. This verse demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, showing that He remembers and acts upon the obedience of His chosen servant, extending the benefits of that obedience across generations. It underscores that true faith is not passive but actively expressed through a comprehensive and diligent adherence to God's revealed will, setting a precedent for the importance of obedience throughout redemptive history, even before the formal giving of the Law at Sinai.

* [Exodus 20:6](/exodus/20-6 "God shows mercy to thousands of generations")
* [Deuteronomy 5:29](/deuteronomy/5-29 "Oh that they had such a heart to fear me and keep my commandments")
* [James 2:21-23](/james/2-21-23 "Abraham's faith was perfected by works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 26:5 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, emphasizing that God values and takes note of our obedience. It reminds us that our faithfulness to God's revealed will can play a significant role in how His blessings manifest in our lives and the lives of those connected to us, extending a spiritual legacy across generations. This verse calls us to a holistic and comprehensive submission, recognizing that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is expressed through active and diligent obedience to God's Word in every facet of our existence. Just as God remained faithful to Abraham and Isaac, we can trust in His unwavering faithfulness to His promises as we walk in diligent obedience. This encourages us to live lives of intentional devotion, understanding that our present faithfulness can lay a foundation for future blessings for our families, communities, and even future generations, demonstrating the tangible impact of a life lived in alignment with divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to greater obedience to His "voice" or "commandments"?**
* **How does understanding Abraham's pre-Mosaic obedience challenge or deepen your view of what it means to "keep" God's Word today?**
* **Considering the generational impact, what kind of spiritual legacy are you actively building through your obedience for those who will come after you?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "laws" did Abraham obey if the Mosaic Law hadn't been given yet?**

Answer: The terms used in Genesis 26:5—"voice," "charge," "commandments," "statutes," and "laws"—refer to God's direct instructions, moral expectations, and the progressive revelation of His will given to Abraham personally. These were not the codified laws of the Mosaic covenant, which would be given centuries later at Mount Sinai. Abraham's obedience was to the specific, communicated will of God for his time, such as the command to leave his homeland ([Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's call to Abraham")), the instruction to circumcise all males in his household ([Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9-14 "The Covenant of Circumcision")), or the ultimate test to sacrifice Isaac ([Genesis 22:1-2](/genesis/22-1-2 "The Testing of Abraham")). His life demonstrated a comprehensive adherence to God's communicated will for his era, reflecting a deep, personal relationship with the Almighty.

**How does Abraham's obedience in this verse relate to God's grace?**

Answer: Abraham's obedience in Genesis 26:5 is presented as the *reason* for the *continuation* of covenant blessings to Isaac, not the *basis* for Abraham's initial salvation or God's initial choice of him. Abraham was chosen by God's sovereign grace ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's call and promise to Abraham")), and his faith was credited as righteousness *before* any major acts of obedience like circumcision or the offering of Isaac ([Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness")). His subsequent obedience was therefore a *response* to that grace and a demonstration of his living faith, as articulated in the New Testament ([James 2:22](/james/2-22 "Faith working with works")). Thus, obedience flows from faith and grace, and God, in His faithfulness, rewards and blesses that obedience within the framework of His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 26:5, highlighting Abraham's obedience as the basis for generational blessing, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfection in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Abraham's obedience, though profound and exemplary, was imperfect and incomplete, marked by moments of doubt and failure. Christ, however, lived a life of perfect, unblemished obedience to the Father's "voice," "commandments," "statutes," and "laws" from beginning to end. His life of sinless obedience culminated in His ultimate act of submission on the cross, where He "became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through Christ's perfect obedience, the curse of human disobedience is reversed, and the blessings promised to Abraham's "seed"—which is Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promises Were Made to Abraham and to His Seed, Who Is Christ"))—are secured and extended to all who believe. His singular, perfect obedience is the true and lasting foundation for the "blessing of Abraham" to come upon the Gentiles ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus")), ushering in a new and greater covenant of grace and eternal life for all nations ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Through one man's obedience many will be made righteous")).

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 22:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]:

Psalms 112:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psalms 112:2

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Matthew 7:24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

James 2:21

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.