Genesis 26:2

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The LORD appears to Isaac during a famine to issue a direct relocation command. He instructs Isaac not to descend to Egypt but to remain in the land where God will specify.

The words — The Hebrew verb תֵּרֵד (te.Red) literally means "you go down," marking a directional movement toward a lower region. The prohibitive particle אַל־ (al-) establishes a strict boundary, forbidding entry into Egypt.

The thread — This directive against Egypt and command to dwell in a designated land mirrors the divine appearances and geographical instructions given to Abraham in Genesis 12:1 and Genesis 12:7.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that obedience to a specific geographical boundary precedes the activation of divine promise and presence. The text demands immediate compliance with a stated location before any blessing is confirmed.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֵּרָ֤אva/i.ye.Ra'and/ he appeared אֵלָיו֙'e.La/vto/ him יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh וַיֹּ֖אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said אַל־'al-may not תֵּרֵ֣דte.Redyou go down מִצְרָ֑יְמָהmitz.Ra.ye.ma/hEgypt/ towards שְׁכֹ֣ןshe.Khondwell בָּאָ֔רֶץba./'A.retzin the/ land אֲשֶׁ֖ר'a.Sherwhich אֹמַ֥ר'o.MarI will say אֵלֶֽיךָ׃'e.Lei./khato/ you

King James Version

And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Cross-references

Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
Genesis 18:1 Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Genesis 18:10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.