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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 26:1 Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham's time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/26-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_26_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 26:1 - God's Promise to Isaac" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham's time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/26-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/26-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/25-34.htm" title="Genesis 25:34">◄</a> Genesis 26:1 <a href="/genesis/26-2.htm" title="Genesis 26:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/26.htm">New International Version</a> Now there was a famine in the land—besides the previous famine in Abraham&#8217s time—and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. <a href="/nlt/genesis/26.htm">New Living Translation</a> A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. <a href="/esv/genesis/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/kjv/genesis/26.htm">King James Bible</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/26.htm">New King James Version</a> There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/nasb/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/lsb/genesis/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/amp/genesis/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now there was a famine in the land [of Canaan], besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. <a href="/csb/genesis/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> There was another famine in the land in addition to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, at Gerar. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> There was another famine in the land in addition to the one that had occurred in Abraham&#8217s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, at Gerar. <a href="/asv/genesis/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines, unto Gerar. <a href="/cev/genesis/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Once during Abraham's lifetime, the fields had not produced enough grain, and now the same thing happened. So Isaac went to King Abimelech of the Philistines in the land of Gerar, <a href="/erv/genesis/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. <a href="/gwt/genesis/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> There was a famine in the land in addition to the earlier one during Abraham's time. So Isaac went to King Abimelech of the Philistines in Gerar. <a href="/gnt/genesis/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> There was another famine in the land besides the earlier one during the time of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, at Gerar. <a href="/isv/genesis/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> Later on, a famine swept through the land. This famine was different from the previous famine that had occurred earlier, during Abraham's lifetime. So Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, at Gerar. <a href="/msb/genesis/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham?s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/net/genesis/26.htm">NET Bible</a> There was a famine in the land, subsequent to the earlier famine that occurred in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/nheb/genesis/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. <a href="/wbt/genesis/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines to Gerar. <a href="/web/genesis/26.htm">World English Bible</a> There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And there is a famine in the land, besides the first famine which was in the days of Abraham, and Isaac goes to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. <a href="/ylt/genesis/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And there is a famine in the land, besides the first famine which was in the days of Abraham, and Isaac goeth unto Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. <a href="/slt/genesis/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a famine shall be in the land, besides the first famine which was in the days of Abraham. And Isaak will go to Abimelech king of the Philistines to Gerar.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when a famine came in the land, after that barrenness which had happened in the days of Abraham, Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Palestines to Gerara. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then, when a famine arose over the land, after that barrenness which had happened in the days of Abraham, Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Palestinians, in Gerar. <a href="/nabre/genesis/26.htm">New American Bible</a> There was a famine in the land, distinct from the earlier one that had occurred in the days of Abraham, and Isaac went down to Abimelech, king of the Philistines in Gerar. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar, to King Abimelech of the Philistines.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gadar, to Abimeleck king of the Philistines. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And a famine was in the land, apart from the first famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham, and Isaaq went on to Abimelek, the King of the Philistines, to Gadar.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. <a href="/sep/genesis/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine, which was in the time of Abraam; and Isaac went to Abimelech the king of the Phylistines to Gerara. <a href="/parallel/genesis/26-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6016" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">God's Promise to Isaac</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">another famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land,</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: mil·lə·ḇaḏ (Prep-m, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Separation, a part. ">subsequent to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: hā·rā·‘āḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">the one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·wn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had occurred</a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">in Abraham’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">time.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3327.htm" title="3327: yiṣ·ḥāq (N-proper-ms) -- He laughs, son of Abraham and Sarah. From tsachaq; laughter; Jitschak, son of Abraham.">And Isaac</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ʾă·ḇīm·mɛ·lɛḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">of the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/1642.htm" title="1642: gə·rā·rāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A place S. of Gaza. Probably from garar; a rolling country; Gerar, a Philistine city.">at Gerar.</a> 2The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Genesis 20:1</a> Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar, <a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Genesis 41:56-57</a> When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. / And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10-11</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” / So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38</a> When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” <a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16</a> He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. <a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11</a> Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9</a> By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. <a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. <a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17</a> Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” <a href="/1_kings/18-2.htm">1 Kings 18:2</a> So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines to Gerar.A.<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.And Isaac.<a href="/genesis/25-11.htm">Genesis 25:11</a> And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.Abimelech.<a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a> And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.<a href="/genesis/21-22.htm">Genesis 21:22-32</a> And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/25-19.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/25-19.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/20-12.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/genesis/13-3.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/genesis/25-33.htm">First</a> <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Former</a> <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Gerar</a> <a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/25-28.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/25-30.htm">Need</a> <a href="/revelation/16-18.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/genesis/21-34.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-12.htm">Previous</a> <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/40-13.htm">Former</a> <a href="/genesis/26-6.htm">Gerar</a> <a href="/genesis/26-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/33-11.htm">Need</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Previous</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 26</div>1. <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.</a> 7. <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/26-12.htm">He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">He digs wells.</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/26-23.htm">God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him; </a> 26. <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Esau's wives.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now there was another famine in the land Famines were common in the ancient Near East due to the region's dependence on seasonal rains. This famine is distinct from the one in Abraham's time, highlighting recurring challenges faced by the patriarchs. Famines often tested faith and prompted divine intervention or guidance, as seen in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and later Joseph.subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time The previous famine during Abraham's time led him to Egypt (<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a>). This reference establishes a pattern of testing and divine provision across generations. It underscores the continuity of God's covenant promises despite recurring hardships.And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar Gerar was a Philistine city located in the Negev region. Abimelech is likely a dynastic title rather than a personal name, as seen in Abraham's interactions with a king of the same name (Genesis 20). This journey reflects Isaac's search for sustenance and safety, paralleling Abraham's earlier experiences. The Philistines, though not yet the powerful force they would become in later biblical narratives, were significant regional players. Isaac's interactions with Abimelech foreshadow future Israelite-Philistine relations and demonstrate God's protection and blessing on Isaac amidst foreign powers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a> The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In this passage, he faces a famine similar to one his father experienced. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The king of the Philistines in Gerar. This is likely a title rather than a personal name, as another Abimelech interacted with Abraham in <a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Genesis 20</a>. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a> A Philistine city where both Abraham and Isaac sought refuge during times of famine. 4. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A severe shortage of food that prompts Isaac to seek sustenance and safety in Gerar, echoing the experiences of his father, Abraham. 5. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> A group of people living in the region of Gerar, often in conflict with the Israelites throughout biblical history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_across_generations.htm">God's Faithfulness Across Generations</a> Just as God was faithful to Abraham during times of famine, He remains faithful to Isaac. This reminds us that God's promises and care extend beyond individual lifetimes to future generations. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_trials_with_faith.htm">Responding to Trials with Faith</a> Isaac's journey to Gerar during the famine is a test of faith. Believers today can learn to trust God in times of scarcity, knowing He provides and guides. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_ancestral_experiences.htm">Learning from Ancestral Experiences</a> Isaac's situation mirrors Abraham's, suggesting the importance of learning from the past. We can draw wisdom from the experiences of those who have gone before us. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_obedience_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Obedience in God's Plan</a> Isaac's decision to go to Gerar, as directed by God, underscores the importance of obedience. Our willingness to follow God's guidance can lead to His blessings and protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 26</a> <a href="/q/why_a_famine_in_fertile_genesis_26_1.htm">In Genesis 26:1, how could there be a famine severe enough to threaten Isaac in a land often praised for its fertility? </a> <a href="/q/why_plant_crops_in_a_famine.htm">Why did Isaac plant crops during a famine?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_philistines_in_genesis_contradict_history.htm">Why does the existence of Philistines in Genesis contradict the historical record, as they arrived centuries later?</a> <a href="/q/is_a_100x_harvest_in_famine_possible.htm">In Genesis 26:12, is a hundredfold harvest realistic in a famine-stricken region, and is there any historical or agricultural evidence to support this? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XXVI.ADVENTURES OF ISAAC AT GERAR.(1) Isaac went . . . unto Gerar.--Following the stream of Semitic migration (<a href="/genesis/12-15.htm" title="The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.">Genesis 12:15</a>), Isaac had originally purposed going to Egypt, but is commanded by God to abide in the land, and upon so doing he receives the assurance that he will be confirmed in the inheritance of the promises made to his father. Isaac was now dwelling at the well Lahai-Roi, and though the exact site of this place is unknown, yet it lay too far to the south for Isaac to have gone to Gerar on his direct way to Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And there was a famine in the land (of Canaan), beside the first (i.e. first recorded) famine that was in the days of Abraham - at least a century previous (vide <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a>). And Isaac - who, since his father's death, had been residing at Hagar's well in the wilderness of Beersheba (<a href="/genesis/25-11.htm">Genesis 25:11</a>) - went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar (cf. <a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Genesis 20:1, 2</a>; <a href="/genesis/21-22.htm">Genesis 21:22</a>). Seventy or eighty years having elapsed since Abraham's sojourn in Gerar, it is scarcely probable that this was the monarch who then reigned. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/26-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now there was וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be another famine רָעָב֙ (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger in the land, בָּאָ֔רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land subsequent to מִלְּבַד֙ (mil·lə·ḇaḏ) Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of the [one] הָרָעָ֣ב (hā·rā·‘āḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that had occurred הָיָ֖ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be in Abraham’s אַבְרָהָ֑ם (’aḇ·rā·hām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation time. בִּימֵ֣י (bî·mê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day And Isaac יִצְחָ֛ק (yiṣ·ḥāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3327.htm">Strong's 3327: </a> Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah went וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Abimelech אֲבִימֶּ֥לֶךְ‪‬ (’ă·ḇîm·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of the Philistines פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (pə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia at Gerar. גְּרָֽרָה׃ (gə·rā·rāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1642.htm">Strong's 1642: </a> Gerar -- a place South of Gaza <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">OT Law: Genesis 26:1 There was a famine in the land (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/25-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 25:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 25:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/26-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 26:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 26:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>