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.

GENESIS 26:25KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 26:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 26:25 mean?

Genesis 26:25 describes Isaac building an altar, calling on the LORD, setting up his tent, and having his servants dig a well at that place. This verse shows Isaac establishing both his worship and his home in a new location, marking it as significant for his relationship with God and his family's future.

Isaac is the main figure here, acting after God appeared to him and reassured him earlier in the chapter. The verse highlights Isaac's response to God's promise by worshiping (building an altar and calling on the LORD), settling down (pitching his tent), and providing for his household (digging a well). This moment sets the tone for Isaac's faith and dependence on God in a land where he is a foreigner.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 26:25

  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word means a structure for offerings or worship. Isaac building an altar signals a public act of worship and gratitude, not just a private prayer.
  • "called" (קָרָא, qara): This word often means to proclaim or invoke. Here, it suggests Isaac openly called on God's name, making his faith visible.
  • "well" (בְּאֵר, be'er): In the ancient world, digging a well was a sign of claiming and settling land. Isaac’s servants digging a well shows a practical step to make this place a lasting home.

Why Genesis 26:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Isaac’s response to God’s promise is both spiritual and practical—he worships and also takes steps to settle and provide for his family.
  • The sequence of altar, tent, and well connects Isaac’s faith (altar), his family life (tent), and his livelihood (well), showing all are important in his journey.
  • Genesis 26:25 links Isaac’s actions to those of his father Abraham, who also built altars and called on the LORD, highlighting continuity in faith across generations.

Where else these words appear

“digged” Hebrew H3738 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.
  • Psalms 7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
  • Psalms 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

“well” Hebrew H875 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Numbers 21:17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

“Isaac's” Hebrew H3327 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
  • Genesis 35:28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.