Genesis 26:17
Genesis 26:17 in Multiple Translations
So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.
¶ And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
And Isaac departed thence, and encamped in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
So Isaac went away from there, and put up his tents in the valley of Gerar, making his living-place there.
So Isaac moved away and set up his tents in the Gerar Valley where he settled down.
Therefore Izhak departed thence and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
and Isaac goeth from thence, and encampeth in the valley of Gerar, and dwelleth there;
Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.
And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
So he departed and came to the torrent of Gerara, to dwell there:
So Isaac and his family moved from there. They set up their tents in Gerar Valley and started to live there.
So Isaac and his family left Gerar, and they moved their camp to a place called the Valley of Gerar, and they lived in that place for a long time.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 26:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 26:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ
מִ/שָּׁ֖ם
יִצְחָ֑ק
וַ/יִּ֥חַן
בְּ/נַֽחַל
גְּרָ֖ר
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
שָֽׁם
וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ/שָּׁ֖ם
shâm
H8033
there
Prep | Adv
יִצְחָ֑ק
Yitschâq
H3327
Isaac
N-proper
וַ/יִּ֥חַן
chânâh
H2583
to camp
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/נַֽחַל
nachal
H5158
Brook
Prep | N-ms
גְּרָ֖ר
Gᵉrâr
H1642
Gerar
N-proper
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שָֽׁם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 26:17
וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
מִ/שָּׁ֖ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Prep | Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
יִצְחָ֑ק
Yitschâq
H3327
"Isaac"
N-proper
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19; son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283); half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259); father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) § Isaac = "he laughs" son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Isaac. Compare H3446 (יִשְׂחָק). See also: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 27:30; 2 Chronicles 30:6.
וַ/יִּ֥חַן
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
בְּ/נַֽחַל
nachal
H5158
"Brook"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
גְּרָ֖ר
Gᵉrâr
H1642
"Gerar"
N-proper
Gerar was a city in the land of the Philistines, south of Gaza, where Abraham and Isaac both had encounters with King Abimelech, as told in Genesis.
Definition: § Gerar = "a lodging place" a Philistine town south of Gaza, modern 'Umm'
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Gerar. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 26:17; 2 Chronicles 14:13.
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
שָֽׁם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
Study Notes — Genesis 26:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Isaac’s Prosperity
15So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.
16Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Depart from us, for you are much too powerful for us.”
17So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.
18Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died. And he gave these wells the same names his father had given them. 19Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there.Genesis 26:17 Summary
[Isaac had to leave the place where he was living because the king, Abimelech, told him to go away. This was because Isaac had become too powerful and Abimelech felt threatened. Isaac obeyed and moved to a new place called the Valley of Gerar, where he settled and trusted God to provide for him, just like his father Abraham had done before him (Genesis 20:1-18). This shows us that sometimes we have to make difficult decisions and trust in God's guidance, just like Isaac did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Isaac leave the place where he was living?
Isaac left the place where he was living because Abimelech told him to depart, saying he was too powerful for them, as seen in Genesis 26:16. This shows that Isaac's presence and influence had grown significantly, and Abimelech felt threatened by it.
What does the Valley of Gerar represent in the Bible?
The Valley of Gerar is a location where Isaac settled after leaving the place where Abimelech told him to depart, as mentioned in Genesis 26:17. It is also the place where Abraham had previously sojourned, as seen in Genesis 20:1-18, and where he had made a covenant with Abimelech.
How did Isaac's actions in this verse demonstrate his trust in God?
Isaac's decision to leave the place where he was living and settle in the Valley of Gerar demonstrates his trust in God's provision and guidance, as seen in Genesis 26:17. This is similar to Abraham's trust in God when he was asked to leave his father's household and go to a new land, as seen in Genesis 12:1-4.
What can we learn from Isaac's example in this verse about dealing with conflict?
Isaac's example in this verse teaches us that sometimes it is necessary to leave a situation or place in order to avoid conflict, as seen in Genesis 26:17. This is similar to what Jesus taught in Matthew 10:23, where he instructed his disciples to flee from persecution and find a new place to preach the gospel.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to leave a place or situation because of conflict or pressure, and how did I respond?
- How can I demonstrate trust in God's provision and guidance in my own life, like Isaac did in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can avoid conflict and find peace in my relationships, like Isaac did when he left the place where Abimelech told him to depart?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's guidance and provision in my daily life, especially when faced with difficult decisions or challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 26:17
And Isaac departed thence,.... At once, peaceably and quietly, though to his loss and disadvantage, without taking himself either to argument or arms, in favour of himself; he departed immediately,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 26:17
And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 26:17
Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.Ver. 17. And Isaac departed thence.] Was compelled to do so; though, not long before, the king of the country had charged all his people, on pain of death, not to disquiet him. Eνθατοηδυπλησιονκαιτολυπηρον. So near neighbours are prosperity and adversity. Friends are very changeable creatures, saith Plato Friends! there is no friend, saith Socrates, no fast friend. Faithful friends, quoth the Duke of Buckingham to Bishop Morton in Richard III’ s time, are in this age, all, for the most part, gone in pilgrimage; and their return is uncertain. Sejanus’ s friends showed themselves, as did likewise Haman’ s, most passionate against him; saying, that if Caesar had clemency, he ought to reserve it for men, not use it toward monsters. Carnal friends were never true to any that trusted to them: whereas, trust in God, at length, will triumph, as we see in this patriarch. Antipho. Fιλοςευμεταβλητονζωον. - Plato. φιλοι, ουδεις Fιλος.
Trussers Contin. of Dan. Chronicle.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 26:17
(17) The valley of Gerar.—The word nahal, rendered “valley,” means a narrow defile through which a summer torrent flows. In the bed of these streams water can generally be found by digging, and Isaac hoped that he was far enough from the city for the enmity to cease. But he was mistaken, though he seems for a short period to have been left in peace.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 26:17
17. the valley of Gerar] The word “valley” (naḥ ?al) represents the bed of a stream, often dry during summer. Here, possibly, it is the Wady Jerâr, into which several other wadies open.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 26:17
17. Valley of Gerar — Some writers speak of a district el-Gerar south of Beer-sheba, but that country has not been sufficiently explored to confirm their statements. Isaac withdrew from Gerar, but not from the Philistine land.