Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Genesis 26:3

Next

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;

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};

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 -

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.

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

Genesis 26:3 delivers a powerful divine promise to Isaac, reaffirming the covenant blessings and land inheritance first given to his father, Abraham. This verse highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and the continuity of His redemptive plan across generations.

Context of Genesis 26:3

This divine encounter with Isaac occurs during a severe famine in the land, prompting him to consider migrating to Egypt for sustenance, much like Abraham had done in an earlier famine. 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.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Protection: The foundational promise, "I will be with thee," assures Isaac of God's constant companionship and protective care. This assurance is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, signifying God's intimate relationship with His chosen people and His commitment to never abandon them.
  • Covenant Continuity and Reaffirmation: This verse unequivocally demonstrates that the covenant promises made to Abraham are now passed on and confirmed to Isaac. God's faithfulness ensures that His plans and promises are not limited to one individual but extend through the generations, establishing a lineage through whom His purposes will be fulfilled.
  • The Land Promise Secured: God explicitly reiterates His commitment to "give all these countries" to Isaac and his descendants. This promise of the land of Canaan is central to the Abrahamic covenant, serving as the physical inheritance for the future nation of Israel.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Oath: The declaration, "I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father," underscores God's absolute reliability. His promises are not conditional on human merit but are founded on His unchanging character and solemn oath, providing a firm foundation for faith (Hebrews 6:13-14).

Linguistic Insights

  • 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.
  • 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, through whom the spiritual blessings of the covenant extend to all nations.

Practical Application

Genesis 26:3 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.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 28:15 (11 votes)

    And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.

  • Psalms 105:9 (10 votes)

    Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

  • Genesis 17:8 (9 votes)

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Genesis 13:15 (9 votes)

    For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

  • Genesis 12:7 (9 votes)

    And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

  • Genesis 22:16 (8 votes)

    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]:

  • Genesis 22:18 (8 votes)

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