And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights Isaac's active prayer for a child, not just a passive hope. This emphasizes that even within God's unfolding plan for the promised line, human participation through earnest prayer is essential for its fulfillment. It reveals that divine promises often require persistent faith and petition to see them realized.
And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Abraham's death, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and his wife Rebekah. Despite being married for many years, Rebekah remains unable to conceive, a situation Isaac addresses through persistent prayer to the Lord. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah becomes pregnant, setting the stage for the birth of twins who will become significant figures in Israel's history.
Isaac and Rebekah waited nearly 20 years for a child. What does this long season of barrenness teach us about God's timing and our prayers?
The Bible doesn't shy away from showing that faith and waiting often go hand-in-hand. Isaac and Rebekah's story is a powerful example.
A Long Season of Waiting
Genesis 25:26 tells us Isaac was 60 years old when his twins were born. He married Rebekah when he was 40. That's two decades of longing and unanswered prayer.
God's Purposes in Delay
Ask a follow-up
Was it just Isaac praying, or was Rebekah involved? And how long did this prayer last?
The text emphasizes that prayer for significant needs is often a shared endeavor, marked by both persistence and a deep understanding of God's role.
A United Effort
The Hebrew word translated 'entreated' can imply earnestness and continuity. Commentators suggest this wasn't just Isaac's solitary cry:
The Virtue of Persistence
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
aqar · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to a woman who is unable to bear children, often depicted in Scripture as a state of social disgrace or profound spiritual trial, yet frequently overcome by the miraculous intervention of God to demonstrate His sovereignty.
This verse is set within the context of Isaac and Rebekah's long wait for children, a common trial for matriarchs in the lineage of the promised seed. Isaac's earnest prayer and its answer highlight that even for those within the covenant, God's blessings often come after persistent seeking and testing of faith, mirroring the experiences of Abraham and Sarah before him.
~1930 BC
Abraham marries Keturah
Abraham takes Keturah as a wife after Sarah's death, and she bears him six sons. This occurs after the events surrounding Isaac's miraculous birth, highlighting the continuation of Abraham's lineage through multiple branches, though the covenant promise remains with Isaac.
~1930 BC
Abraham dies and is buried
Abraham dies at 175 years old and is buried by his sons Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah. This marks the end of an era and the passing of leadership and the covenant promise to Isaac.
c. 1911 BC
Isaac marries Rebekah
Isaac, at 40 years old, marries Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel from Aram-Naharaim. She is the niece of Abraham's nephew, Laban, and comes from Abraham's extended family.
c. 1892 BC— this verse
Isaac prays for Rebekah's barrenness
After nineteen years of marriage, Isaac earnestly prays to the LORD for his wife Rebekah, who has been unable to conceive. The LORD answers his prayer, and Rebekah becomes pregnant.
c. 1891 BC
Rebekah gives birth to twins
Rebekah gives birth to twins, Esau and Jacob. Their struggle within the womb and their destinies are foretold by the LORD, setting the stage for future conflict and the continuation of the covenant through Jacob.
An angel appears to Zechariah, a priest, to announce the birth of John the Baptist, stating that his wife Elizabeth was barren and that God had heard their prayers.
1 Samuel 1:27Hannah, who had been praying fervently for a child, is finally heard by the Lord, leading to the birth of Samuel.
Genesis 17:15-16God reiterates His promise to Abraham that Sarah, despite her age and barrenness, will bear him a son, highlighting God's power to overcome natural limitations for His chosen line.
Romans 9:10-12This passage discusses the election of Jacob over Esau before their birth, showing God's sovereign choice in granting offspring, even against the norm of primogeniture, to fulfill His purposes.
Hebrews 11:11Sarah, like Rebekah, conceived and bore children when she was past the age of childbearing, underscoring faith in God's promise as the source of miraculous conception.
calvinGenesis 25:1-34: "Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah."
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
Et Iocsan genuit Seba, et Dedan. Filii autem Dedan fuerunt Assurim, et Letusim, et Leummin.
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Filii vero Midian, Hephah, et Hepher, et Hanoch, et Abidah, et Eldaah: omnes isti, filii Ceturae.…
pulpitGenesis 25:21: "And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived."
Verse 21. - And Isaac entreated - from a root signifying to burn incense, hence to pray, implying, as some think (Wordsworth, 'Speaker s Commentary'), the use of incense in patriarchal worship; but perhaps only pointing to the fact that the prayers of the godly ascend like incense (Gesenius): cf. Tobit 12:12; Acts 10:4. The word is commonly regar…
The verse highlights Isaac's active prayer for a child, not just a passive hope. This emphasizes that even within God's unfolding plan for the promised line, human participation through earnest prayer is essential for its fulfillment. It reveals that divine promises often require persistent faith and petition to see them realized.
After Abraham's death, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and his wife Rebekah. Despite being married for many years, Rebekah remains unable to conceive, a situation Isaac addresses through persistent prayer to the Lord. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah becomes pregnant, setting the stage for the birth of twins who will become significant figures in Israel's history.
After Abraham's death, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and his wife Rebekah. Despite being married for many years, Rebekah remains unable to conceive, a situation Isaac addresses through persistent prayer to the Lord. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah becomes pregnant, setting the stage for the birth of twins who will become significant figures in Israel's history.
"And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived." — The verse highlights Isaac's active prayer for a child, not just a passive hope. This emphasizes that even within God's unfolding plan for the promised line, human participation through earnest praye…
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Last reviewed October 2026