The Meaning of Genesis 26:5 Explained

Genesis 26:5

KJV: Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

YLT: because that Abraham hath hearkened to My voice, and keepeth My charge, My commands, My statutes, and My laws.'

Darby: because that Abraham hearkened to my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

ASV: Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Because  that Abraham  obeyed  my voice,  and kept  my charge,  my commandments,  my statutes,  and my laws. 

What does Genesis 26:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 26:1-17 - Isaac Is Blessed And Grows Rich
There was no harm in Isaac's going to Gerar, as he had a distinct command to that effect, Genesis 26:2-3. But he does not seem to have been strong enough to stand the test of residence there. He might have received into his soul that sufficient grace which is always within the reach of tempted men; but, like so many of us, he looked down and not up. What could have been more reassuring than the promises of the divine presence and blessing! But he was guilty of incredible meanness to the woman who had come so far to be his wife, and of deceit to Abimelech. Notice how the sins of the fathers repeat themselves in the children! It was a disappointing lapse from the glorious height on which he had stood when he yielded himself to God's call on Mount Moriah! But we have experienced the same contrasts within ourselves. Now on the mount of transfiguration, asking to live there, and then in the valley, quarreling for pre-eminence. But, notwithstanding all, God's loving-kindness does not fail. See Genesis 26:12. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 26

1  Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him
7  He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife
12  He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity
18  He digs wells
23  God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him;
26  and Abimelech makes a covenant with him
34  Esau's wives

What do the individual words in Genesis 26:5 mean?

because that obeyed Abraham My voice and kept My charge My commandments My statutes and My laws
עֵ֕קֶב אֲשֶׁר־ שָׁמַ֥ע אַבְרָהָ֖ם בְּקֹלִ֑י וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִצְוֺתַ֖י חֻקּוֹתַ֥י וְתוֹרֹתָֽי

עֵ֕קֶב  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: עֵקֶב  
Sense: consequence.
אֲשֶׁר־  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
שָׁמַ֥ע  obeyed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
אַבְרָהָ֖ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
בְּקֹלִ֑י  My  voice 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙  and  kept 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י  My  charge 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: מִשְׁמֶרֶת  
Sense: guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch.
מִצְוֺתַ֖י  My  commandments 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: מִצְוָה  
Sense: commandment.
חֻקּוֹתַ֥י  My  statutes 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: חֻקָּה  
Sense: statute, ordinance, limit, enactment, something prescribed.
וְתוֹרֹתָֽי  and  My  laws 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.