Genesis 26:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

NIV: Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank.

NASB: Then he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

CSB: So he prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank.

NLT: So Isaac prepared a covenant feast to celebrate the treaty, and they ate and drank together.

KJV: And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

NKJV: So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

Isaac's prior relationship with the king of Gerar was strained. He was caught in a dangerous lie regarding his wife, Rebekah (Genesis 26:6–11). When Isaac's prosperity threatened the king, the king asked him to move away (Genesis 26:14–16). Even then, the people of the region harassed Isaac's family about the use of wells (Genesis 26:18–22). After Isaac moved to Beersheba, the king and his entourage arrived to have a conversation (Genesis 26:26).

In the previous two verses, King Abimelech explained to a suspicious Isaac (Genesis 26:27) that he had come to make a peace treaty with him because he and his advisors could clearly see that Isaac was blessed by God (Genesis 26:28–29).

Isaac apparently approves. Instead of turning them away, he decides to show them hospitality in the form of a feast with eating and drinking. This reflects the common sense of how to treat guests, of that time, as well as Isaac's presumably good intentions. It's noteworthy, also, that Isaac is hosting a feast for a king—another reflection of his enormous prosperity.

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 5/3/2024 11:19:27 AM