Bible Strands
Genesis 26:28
“We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abimelech and his military commander approach Isaac at Beersheba after his recent prosperity, answering Isaac’s prior question about their hostile intentions by initiating a peace proposal.
The words — The Hebrew רָאִינוּ (ra’inu, “we have seen”) and עִמּ/ךְ (‘immek, “with you”) anchor the declaration that Yahweh has actively accompanied Isaac, while וַ/נֹּאמֶר (va/no’mer, “and we said”) introduces their formal proposal.
The thread — This recognition of divine presence prompting a formal agreement parallels Genesis 21:22 and 21:31, where Abimelech and Phicol acknowledge God’s presence with Abraham and subsequently swear a binding oath.
Why it lands — The text records observed divine action as the direct catalyst for a human peace treaty, requiring the reader to note how external blessing precedes and shapes political reconciliation without adding theological commentary.
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
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Genesis 21:22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
- Genesis 21:31 So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.
- Genesis 39:5 From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field.
- Joshua 3:7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.
- Isaiah 45:14 This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”
- Isaiah 61:9 Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
- Genesis 24:3 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,
- Genesis 24:41 And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
- Genesis 31:49 It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.
- 2 Chronicles 1:1 Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.