Genesis 26:27
New International Version
Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?”

New Living Translation
“Why have you come here?” Isaac asked. “You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.”

English Standard Version
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Why have you come to me?” Isaac asked them. “You hated me and sent me away.”

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

New King James Version
And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

New American Standard Bible
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

NASB 1995
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

NASB 1977
And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

Amplified Bible
Isaac said to them, “Why have you [people] come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

Christian Standard Bible
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me? You hated me and sent me away from you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me? You hated me and sent me away from you.”

American Standard Version
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore are ye come unto me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

Contemporary English Version
When they arrived, Isaac asked, "Why are you here? Didn't you send me away because you hated me?"

English Revised Version
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore are ye come unto me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me and sent me away from you?"

Good News Translation
So Isaac asked, "Why have you now come to see me, when you were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country?"

International Standard Version
"Why have you come to see me," Isaac asked them, "since you hate me so much that you sent me away from you?"

Majority Standard Bible
“Why have you come to me?” Isaac asked them. “You hated me and sent me away.”

NET Bible
Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me? You hate me and sent me away from you."

New Heart English Bible
Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Isaac said to them, Why come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

World English Bible
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Isaac says to them, “Why have you come to me, and you have hated me, and you send me away from you?”

Young's Literal Translation
and Isaac saith unto them, 'Wherefore have ye come unto me, and ye have hated me, and ye send me away from you?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Isaak will say to them, Wherefore came ye to me, and ye hated me, and will send me away from you?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Isaac said to them: Why are ye come to me, a man whom you hate, and have thrust out from you?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, a man whom you hate, and whom you have expelled from among you?”

New American Bible
Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have driven me away from you?”

New Revised Standard Version
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Isaac said to them, Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me, and have sent me away from you?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Isaaq said to them, “Why have you come to me? You have hated me and sent me from your presence.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Isaac said unto them: 'Wherefore are ye come unto me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Isaac said to them, Wherefore have ye come to me? whereas ye hated me, and sent me away from you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac's Covenant with Abimelech
26Later, Abimelech came to Isaac from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army. 27“Why have you come to me?” Isaac asked them. “You hated me and sent me away.” 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…

Cross References
Genesis 21:25-32
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized, / Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.” / So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. ...

Genesis 31:36-42
Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? / You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. / I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. ...

Genesis 50:15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...

Exodus 18:7
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.

1 Samuel 24:9-15
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ / See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. ...

1 Samuel 26:18-25
And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? / Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ / So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” ...

2 Samuel 3:23-25
When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.” / So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he is getting away! / Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Luke 6:27-31
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. / If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. ...

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

seeing.

Genesis 26:14,16
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him…

Judges 11:7
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?

Acts 7:9,14,27,35
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, …

sent me.

Genesis 26:16
And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.

Jump to Previous
Driven Hate Hated Hostile Isaac Wherefore
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Driven Hate Hated Hostile Isaac Wherefore
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.














Isaac asked them
The name "Isaac" in Hebrew is "Yitzchak," meaning "he will laugh" or "laughter," reflecting the joy and fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac's approach here is one of inquiry and discernment. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, asking questions was a way to seek understanding and establish motives. Isaac's question is not just a request for information but a probing of intentions, reflecting a wise and discerning heart.

Why have you come to me
This phrase indicates a direct confrontation with the visitors. In the Hebrew context, "come to me" implies a personal and intentional approach. Isaac is aware of the significance of their visit, understanding that it is not a casual encounter but one with potential implications for peace or conflict. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking clarity and truth in relationships, as seen throughout Scripture.

since you were hostile to me
The word "hostile" in Hebrew is "sane," which can mean to hate or be an adversary. This highlights the previous animosity and conflict between Isaac and the Philistines. Historically, this hostility was rooted in envy and fear of Isaac's growing wealth and power, as seen earlier in Genesis 26. The acknowledgment of past hostility is crucial for understanding the dynamics of reconciliation and forgiveness, themes central to the biblical narrative.

and sent me away
The act of sending away, in Hebrew "shalach," often implies a forceful or authoritative dismissal. This reflects the power dynamics at play, where Isaac, despite being blessed by God, was vulnerable to the political and social pressures of the Philistines. This phrase underscores the reality of living as a sojourner in a foreign land, a recurring theme for the patriarchs, and highlights the faith required to trust in God's provision and protection despite human rejection.

(27) Wherefore come ye to me?--Isaac's return had brought matters to a crisis, and the king must now decide whether there was to be peace or war.

Verse 27. - And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore - מַדּוּעַ, contr, from מָה יָדוּעַ, what is taught? - for what reason (cf. τί μαθών) - come ye to me, seeing (literally, and) ye hate me, and have sent me away from you? While animadverting to the personal hostility to which he had been subjected, Isaac says nothing about the wells of which he had been deprived: a second point of difference between this and the preceding narrative of Abraham's covenant with the Philistine king.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Why
מַדּ֖וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

have you come
בָּאתֶ֣ם (bā·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to me?”
אֵלָ֑י (’ê·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Isaac
יִצְחָ֔ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

asked
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them.
אֲלֵהֶם֙ (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“You
וְאַתֶּם֙ (wə·’at·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

hated
שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם (śə·nê·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8130: To hate

me
אֹתִ֔י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

and sent me away.”
וַתְּשַׁלְּח֖וּנִי (wat·tə·šal·lə·ḥū·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out


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OT Law: Genesis 26:27 Isaac said to them Why have you (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:26
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