Genesis 26:2. Go not down into Egypt Whither, it is likely, Isaac had intended to go, it being a very fruitful country, and he being encouraged to go thither by his father’s example, on a similar occasion. No doubt God had wise reasons for prohibiting his going; but as he has not been pleased to acquaint us with them, to spend time in conjecturing what they were, would be giving ourselves trouble to no purpose. read more
Isaac and Abimelech (26:1-33)When a famine created hardship in Canaan, Isaac proved his faith and obedience by refusing to leave the land. He remained in the Palestine region on the south coast of Canaan, believing that God would provide for him and his household in the land God promised him. But he lacked the faith to trust God to protect him from violence and, like his father, he lied to protect himself (26:1-11; cf. 12:10-20, 20:1-18).God blessed Isaac as he had promised, but Isaac’s farming... read more
Go not down (as Abraham did, Genesis 12:10 ). read more
Unto thee. So to each Patriarch: Abraham (Genesis 13:15 ), Jacob (Genesis 28:13 , &c), involving resurrection. See note on Genesis 50:24 , and Matthew 22:23-33 . read more
"And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech the king of the Philistines, unto Gerar. And Jehovah appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, will I give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; and I will multiply thy seed as the stars... read more
Genesis 26:2. And the Lord, &c.— I should be for rendering the vau here, for, instead of and, as the French version has it, car; because this second verse gives the reason why Isaac went to Gerar, and not to AEgypt, FOR the Lord HAD appeared to him, &c. To pretend to assign reasons why the Lord would not permit him to go to AEgypt, is fruitless and absurd. read more
Isaac was evidently considering going to Egypt to escape the famine. He was in Gerar when God spoke to him. This was God’s first revelation to Isaac (cf. Genesis 25:23). Therefore, it appears that Isaac may have previously moved north from Beer-lahai-roi. Of course, constant relocating was common for the nomadic patriarchs, and these places were not far from one another.The major migration of the Philistines into Canaan took place in the twelveth century B.C. However, there were some... read more
3. Isaac and Abimelech 26:1-11God prevented Isaac from leaving the Promised Land and renewed the covenant with him, but then He had to protect Rebekah when Isaac lied about his relationship with her to Abimelech."In the short span of one chapter, the writer shows how the whole of the life of Isaac was a rehearsal of that which happened to Abraham. Thus the lesson that is conveyed is that God’s faithfulness in the past can be counted on in the present and the future. What he has done for the... read more
Isaac at GerarMany of the notes on Genesis 20, 21 are applicable to this chapter It is thought probable that the present narrative is in the main a repetition from another source of events already recorded.2. Go not down into Egypt] to get food as Abraham did. The covenant blessing is renewed and the possession of Canaan assured to Isaac. He is encouraged to stay in Canaan in dependence on God. 7. My sister] The expression might mean cousins.12. An hundredfold] Though very large, such a crop is... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 26:1-35
- The Events of Isaac’s Life5. משׁמרת mı̂shmeret, “charge, ordinance.” מציה mı̂tsvâh, “command,” special order. חק choq, “decree, statute,” engraven on stone or metal. תירה tôrâh, “law,” doctrine, system of moral truth.10. עשׂק ‛êśeq, ‘Eseq, “strife.”21. שׂטנה śı̂ṭnâh, Sitnah, “opposition.”22. רחבית rechobôt, Rechoboth, “room.”26. אחזת 'ǎchuzat, Achuzzath, “possession.”33. שׁבעה shı̂b‛âh, Shib’ah, “seven; oath.”34. יהוּדית yehûdı̂yt, Jehudith, “praised.” בארי be'ērı̂y, Beeri, “of a... read more