Genesis 26:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him,

NIV: Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.

NASB: Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred times as much. And the Lord blessed him,

CSB: Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in that year he reaped a hundred times what was sown. The Lord blessed him,

NLT: When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him.

KJV: Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

NKJV: Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him.

While reading this verse, it's important to remember there was a famine in the land (Genesis 26:1). The Lord told Isaac not to go to Egypt to escape the famine but to stay in Gerar, the land of the Philistines, instead. Despite a cowardly lie on Isaac's part (Genesis 26:7), he has been protected and blessed by God (Genesis 26:11).

Isaac obeyed God's command to avoid Egypt, staying instead in Gerar, planting crops there. To reap a hundredfold would have been a good return in a normal year. In a year of famine, and likely and supposed drought, a hundredfold return is simply amazing. The Lord once again is demonstrating to Isaac and his neighbors that He is with him and providing for him. The following verse will explain the extent to which Isaac is blessed.

This is one of the few times we're told directly that one of the patriarchs engaged in the planting and harvesting of crops. Noah was said to have planted a vineyard after the flood, becoming a "man of the soil," but that account made no mention of further farming (Genesis 9:20).

Genesis 26:6–35 describes Isaac's interactions with the Philistines while living in and around the land of Gerar. After Isaac is caught in a lie about Rebekah being his sister, king Abimelech is angry. However, he protects Isaac and Rebekah. God blesses Isaac abundantly, and his wealth grows to the point where his power provokes the king to send him away. Following a series of disputes over water rights, the king and Isaac eventually make a treaty of peace. God appears to Isaac for a second time, telling him not to fear, and renewing His promises.

Genesis 26 focuses on God's assurances to Isaac to be with him and to bless him, mostly while Isaac and his household are settled in the land of the Philistines. Just as Abraham did, Isaac fearfully lies about his wife being his sister, nearly bringing disaster on Abimelech and his kingdom. Still, God blesses Isaac with greater and greater abundance to the point that Abimelech sends Isaac away because he has become too powerful. After continued disputes over water rights, Abimelech and Isaac eventually make a covenant of peace.

Genesis 26 seems to jump back in time to the season before Jacob and Esau were born, as described in the previous chapter. This is common in ancient literature. The Lord establishes and renews His covenant promises to Isaac, blessing him abundantly in the land of Philistines during a time of famine. Eventually, Abimelech sends Isaac away due to his growing power and disputes over water rights, but they end up forming a peace treaty. Esau's marriage to foreign women creates strife, adding more fuel to the controversy which is soon to occur. In the next chapter, Jacob will steal his older brother's rightful blessing.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/4/2024 12:27:20 AM