Verse

Genesis 26:24

ESV And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham 's sake."
NIV That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."
NASB And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, 'I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.'
CSB and the Lord appeared to him that night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of my servant Abraham."
NLT where the Lord appeared to him on the night of his arrival. 'I am the God of your father, Abraham,' he said. 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant.'
KJV And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
NKJV And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

What does Genesis 26:24 mean?

This conversation between the Lord and Isaac, which takes place on the very first night Isaac arrives in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23), echoes the Lord's words to Isaac at the beginning of this chapter (Genesis 26:1–5). This time, though, the Lord introduces Himself as "the God of Abraham your father." Throughout this chapter, the Lord seems intent on making clear to Isaac that His relationship with Abraham will continue in His relationship with Isaac. All of the promises and commitments remain.

This time, the Lord adds a command to Isaac: Fear not. Perhaps Isaac is especially fearful and needs a reminder that trusting the Lord includes being less afraid of other people. This might have been reflected in Isaac's passive response to those who challenged his use of wells in the Valley of Gerar (Genesis 26:17–22). It brings to mind his fearful lie about his relationship to Rebekah (Genesis 26:6–11).

The Lord also says again that His faithfulness to Isaac is something He will keep, in part, "for my servant Abraham's sake."
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: