Verse

Genesis 26:25

ESV So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
NIV Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.
NASB So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
CSB So he built an altar there, called on the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there. Isaac's servants also dug a well there.
NLT Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord. He set up his camp at that place, and his servants dug another well.
KJV And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.

What does Genesis 26:25 mean?

After resolving disputes over water in the Valley of Gerar (Genesis 26:17–22), Isaac moves—seemingly many years later—to Beersheba (Genesis 26:23). Isaac responds to the Lord's appearance and repeated promises with worship (Genesis 26:24). Specifically, Isaac builds an altar to the Lord, just as his father Abraham had done (Genesis 12:7–8). We assume that the building of the altar included the making of an animal sacrifice. In addition, Isaac called on the Lord's name and/or continued calling on the Lord's name.

Perhaps moved by this encounter, Isaac decided to make Beersheba his new residence. The reference to "pitching his tent" means staying in one place for an extended period of time. Isaac chose to live in Beersheba, and even had his servants dig a well. Perhaps it's the digging of this well, a sign that Isaac intends to dwell in the region semi-permanently, which again draws the attention of King Abimelech (Genesis 26:12–16) in the following verses.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: