King James Version

What Does Genesis 26:27 Mean?

Genesis 26:27 in the King James Version says “And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?”

Genesis 26:27 · KJV

Context

25

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.

26

Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.

27

And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

28

And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; We saw: Heb. Seeing we saw

29

That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD. That: Heb. If thou shalt

Read Genesis 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 11

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙2 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִצְחָ֔ק3 of 11

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

מַדּ֖וּעַ4 of 11

“unto them Wherefore”

H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

בָּאתֶ֣ם5 of 11

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלָ֑י6 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאַתֶּם֙7 of 11
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם8 of 11

“ye to me seeing ye hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

אֹתִ֔י9 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַתְּשַׁלְּח֖וּנִי10 of 11

“me and have sent me away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֵֽאִתְּכֶֽם׃11 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 26:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 26:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 26:16Judges 11:7Acts 7:14Revelation 3:9Acts 7:35Acts 7:9

Test Your Knowledge

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