Genesis 25:21
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While Isaac prayed for his wife, the text highlights that he specifically prayed "because she was barren." This detail emphasizes that Isaac recognized fruitfulness was not automatic but a gift from God, a truth he prayed for with earnestness and persistence.
Following Abraham's death and the settling of his inheritance, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and Rebekah. Their marriage has been fruitful in blessing, but after nearly twenty years, they have yet to conceive, leading Isaac to earnestly pray for his wife's barrenness. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah conceives, marking the beginning of a new pivotal chapter for the promised lineage.
Isaac and Rebekah waited nearly 20 years for a child. How does their story challenge our impatience when our prayers seem unanswered?
This passage highlights that answered prayer isn't always immediate. Isaac didn't just pray once; the original Hebrew word for 'entreated' suggests a persistent, fervent, and continuous plea. For nearly two decades, he and Rebekah faced the deep pain of barrenness, yet they didn't give up.
Barrenness was a significant social and spiritual stigma in the ancient world. How does God's intervention here reveal His power and His intentions for the promised line?
In Isaac's time, barrenness was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor or a lack of God's blessing. Yet, in this narrative, God intentionally uses barrenness as a prelude to His miraculous intervention.
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.
c. 2091 BC
Abraham marries Keturah
After Sarah's death, Abraham marries Keturah, through whom he has several sons. This event, though placed later in the narrative, likely occurred before Isaac's marriage.
c. 2061 BC
Isaac marries Rebekah
Isaac, who is 40 years old, marries Rebekah, a relative from his ancestral homeland of Mesopotamia.
c. 2042 BC— this verse
Isaac prays for his wife's fertility
After nineteen years of marriage and experiencing barrenness like his mother Sarah, Isaac fervently prays to the LORD for Rebekah, and his prayer is answered.
c. 2041 BC
Birth of Esau and Jacob
Rebekah gives birth to twins, Esau and Jacob, at a time when Isaac is sixty years old. The twins' future conflict and the succession of the covenant promise are foreshadowed.
c. 1991 BC
Death of Abraham
Abraham dies at the age of 175. His sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him, signifying a continued, albeit complex, familial connection.
This passage parallels the miraculous conception of Isaac through prayer with the miraculous conception of John the Baptist, highlighting God's power to overcome barrenness for His purposes.
1 Samuel 1:20Similar to Isaac and Rebekah's persistent prayer for a child, Hannah also fervently prayed to the Lord for a son, and God answered her petition, demonstrating that God hears and responds to earnest supplication regarding offspring.
Psalm 113:9This psalm speaks of God making the 'barren woman' a mother of children, echoing the theme in Genesis 25:21 where God answers Isaac's prayer for his barren wife, Rebekah.
Romans 9:10-13This passage connects the story of Isaac and Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, with the broader theme of God's sovereign choice in election, which begins with God granting the prayer for conception in this verse.
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…
While Isaac prayed for his wife, the text highlights that he specifically prayed "because she was barren." This detail emphasizes that Isaac recognized fruitfulness was not automatic but a gift from God, a truth he prayed for with earnestness and persistence.
Following Abraham's death and the settling of his inheritance, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and Rebekah. Their marriage has been fruitful in blessing, but after nearly twenty years, they have yet to conceive, leading Isaac to earnestly pray for his wife's barrenness. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah conceives, marking the beginning of a new pivotal chapter for the promised lineage.
Following Abraham's death and the settling of his inheritance, the narrative shifts focus to Isaac and Rebekah. Their marriage has been fruitful in blessing, but after nearly twenty years, they have yet to conceive, leading Isaac to earnestly pray for his wife's barrenness. This prayer is answered, and Rebekah conceives, marking the beginning of a new pivotal chapter for the promised lineage.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 25:21 is available in the Sola app.
"And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived." — While Isaac prayed for his wife, the text highlights that he specifically prayed "because she was barren." This detail emphasizes that Isaac recognized fruitfulness was not automatic but a gift from…
