Genesis 26

This Abimelech is probably not the same person from chapter 20 because these events could be 90 years apart. Abimelech might have been the name of a dynasty or a title. First Samuel 21:10 mentions a later King Achish, who was also called Abimelech (Psalm 34:title).

This section pauses Jacob’s story to focus on Isaac. Isaac’s success and wealth in chapter 26 show that God’s blessing had passed to him (compare 25:11), even though he sometimes failed to trust God.

The Lord assured Isaac that the covenant promises (compare 12:2–3; 15:5–8; 17:3–8; 22:15–18; 28:13–14) would pass to him because Abraham faithfully listened to God and obeyed all his requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions. These terms were later used in Deuteronomy to describe God’s full legal covenant with Israel.

An Israelite would immediately think of the complete Torah when hearing these words and be prompted to obey God’s law as Abraham did, though Abraham had only a few commands from the Lord. Through these words, the text emphasizes that Abraham would have obeyed the later commands if he had had them, because he was an obedient servant of the Lord.

While Isaac was living in Gerar, he, like his father Abraham, told people that his wife was his sister. Some think this story repeats the accounts of Abraham’s deception (12:10–20; 20:1–18). But there are more differences than similarities. It is not surprising that a son repeated his father’s lie.

Genesis 26 shows, through many similar patterns, that God’s plan continued through Isaac. Even when Isaac put the covenant at risk, as Abraham had done, God prevented something terrible from happening and protected the marriage. God would bless Abraham’s descendants because of Abraham, but they still needed to trust God themselves to experience those blessings.

True faith in God's promises leads to a life without fear as one follows him. Fear, however, can put the blessing at risk and make a person’s faith seem empty.

Abimelech … looked down … to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah: The Hebrew word for "caressing" is the same as the word used for Ishmael "mocking" Isaac (21:9). This Hebrew word is also related to the name Isaac (Hebrew yitskhaq). It is as if Isaac’s lack of faith made Abimelech look foolish and brought shame on Rebekah and on the great promise connected to Isaac’s name.

Isaac, like his father, was rebuked by Abimelech (see study note on 20:1–18). This legal wording would remind Israel of how important it was to preserve marital purity. Abimelech recognized the danger to his own people. Though his decree preserved his own society, it was also a word from God that preserved the sanctity of Isaac’s and Israel’s marriages. If Isaac’s marriage had ended here, there would have been no Israelite society.

Isaac lived in the land as a temporary resident. God blessed him, so his crops grew well and he became very rich.

The Philistines were jealous of Isaac's success and filled his wells with dirt. The king then told Isaac to leave the area because he was too powerful for them (compare 21:22–23).

Isaac left … in the Valley of Gerar: This was away from the city of Gerar itself, but probably still within 16 kilometers (10 miles).

When he got there, Isaac reopened the wells of his father. Although people opposed him there, Isaac chose not to fight back. He gave up one well after another until God's blessing overcame the opposition. Whenever Isaac reopened a well, even if enemies filled it in, he found water. God blessed Isaac, and nothing could stop it. Finally, the Philistines left Isaac alone.

Beersheba … the Lord appeared him: This was to confirm his covenant (compare 21:31–33). Isaac showed faith like his father by building an altar to the Lord. He declared the Lord’s identity and nature (see study note on 12:8; 21:33).

This oath is like the one a previous king made with Abraham (see 21:22–31). This king acknowledged that God was blessing Isaac. He understood that an oath with Isaac would be beneficial.

No opposition can stop God's blessing. It will flourish, and other nations will notice it. They will seek peace with God's people to share in the blessing.

Since the earlier treaty was renewed with Isaac, the name of the well was also renewed by the oath.

Esau's marriages show how he was not suitable to lead God's covenant people into receiving God's blessings. Isaac's later attempt to bless Esau was foolish (27:1–40). Later, Esau married a third wife, trying to make things right without success (28:6–9).