Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Genesis 26:25 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 25. 25And 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.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Isaac builds an altar, calls on the LORD, pitches his tent, and has servants dig a well. Worship, residence, and ordinary work are joined as his response to divine reassurance.
Fear not, then a truthful peace
This verse is one part of that explanation in Genesis 26:23–33. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Genesis 26:23–33
Read verses 23–25 and 32–33. The move and appearance precede Isaac's response; the servants' later water report completes the digging movement. Without both ends, the altar can eclipse the practical work or the well can eclipse worship.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Isaac answers reassurance with worship, residence, and practical work before any political agreement appears.
Read Genesis 26:23–25 together
Why these verses belong together: Relocation, divine appearance and promise, altar, invocation, tent, and well digging form one movement from reassurance to worship and work.
Verse 23. 23 And he went up from thence to Beer-sheba.
Verse 24. 24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
Verse 25. 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.
Follow the Context
- Isaac goes to Beersheba, where the LORD appears and repeats presence, blessing, and offspring assurance for Abraham's sake (26:23–24).
- Isaac builds an altar, calls on the LORD, pitches his tent, and has servants dig a well (26:25).
- Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phichol come from Gerar; Isaac directly challenges their visit after hatred and expulsion (26:26–27).
- The delegation says it has clearly seen that the LORD is with Isaac and proposes a sworn covenant and nonaggression arrangement (26:28–29).
- Isaac hosts a feast; the parties swear in the morning; Isaac sends them away; and they depart in peace (26:30–31).
- That day Isaac's servants report water, and Isaac names the well Shebah, connecting it with the city's Beer-sheba name (26:32–33).
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“builded an altar”
In plain language: Constructed a place for sacrifice and worship.
Isaac responds to God's appearance publicly and materially.
Why it matters: Worship precedes the diplomatic visit.
How certain? very strong“called upon the name of the LORD”
In plain language: Invoked, proclaimed, or worshiped the LORD.
Isaac identifies the God he trusts at Beersheba.
Why it matters: The LORD, not the site, receives devotion.
How certain? strong“pitched his tent ... digged a well”
In plain language: Established residence and began practical water work.
Promise is lived through ordinary household action.
Why it matters: Faith and creaturely responsibility are not separated.
How certain? very strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not prescribe altar, tent, and well as a universal relocation ritual.
Isaac's servants digging does not make their labor invisible or morally insignificant.
The altar and well do not possess magical power.
Calling on the LORD does not mean Isaac worships the place, altar, tent, or water.
The verse does not say the well immediately produces water.
What Remains True
Faithful rebuilding can hold worship, stable presence, and responsible work together without making any location or ritual magical.
How It Can Shape Life
- In a new season, make room for worship, safe residence, and practical provision; do not treat the sequence as a rigid formula or ignore those doing the labor.
Teach It Back
Explain Genesis 26:25's contribution to Genesis 26:23–33. Include why the nearby verses are required, what the verse clearly says, and one conclusion it does not justify.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Genesis 26:23–33 — God Reassures Isaac at BeershebaSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? very strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Displayed wording, thought-unit boundary, promise, worship, delegation, accusation, treaty, feast, oath, water report, naming, Abraham parallels, and transition to family conflict.
Exact location: Genesis 26:23–33 in the pinned eng-kjv2006 source; compared with Genesis 12:7–8; 13:3–4; 21:22–34; 26:12–22 and 26:34–27:5
Open source ↗hebrew text morphology and lemma data
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible — Genesis
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible Project
Open Scriptures, Version 2.2 released 2021; repository inspected 2026
Supports: Fear command, presence, promise, worship, residence, digging, official roles, accusation, emphatic recognition, covenant, nonaggression, diplomatic claim, blessing, feast, oath, peace, water, and naming.
Exact location: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible, wlc/Gen.xml, Genesis 26:23–33; lemmas and morphology for al tira, ittekha anokhi, barakh, rabbah, zera, mizbeah, qara beshem, ahal, karah, merea, tsava, sane, shalah, raoh rainu, berit, raah, naga, tov, berukh YHWH, mishteh, shava, shalom, mayim, and Shivah
Open source ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Genesis with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, Digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Promise language, Ahuzzath's uncertain role, emphatic seeing, covenant wording, diplomatic speech, and Shebah/Beer-sheba wordplay.
Exact location: NET Bible, Genesis 26:23–33 and translator notes, especially verses 24, 26, 28, 29, and 33
Open NET Genesis 26 ↗