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Genesis 19:2
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

Genesis 21:14
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gaveit unto Hagar, puttingit on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 22:3
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

sware.

Genesis 14:22
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 21:23,31,32
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son:but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned…

Genesis 25:33
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

and swore an oath to each other.
Oaths were solemn promises made before God, binding the parties involved. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oaths were crucial for establishing trust and formalizing agreements. This oath between Isaac and Abimelech echoes the covenantal themes found throughout Genesis, such as God's covenant with Abraham. It underscores the importance of peace and mutual respect, even among those who were previously in conflict.

Then Isaac sent them on their way,
Sending them on their way indicates a formal conclusion to their meeting, suggesting that the terms of their agreement were satisfactory to both parties. This act of hospitality and respect is consistent with the cultural norms of the time, where hosting and sending off guests were significant social duties.

and they left him in peace.
Peace, or "shalom" in Hebrew, signifies more than the absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, harmony, and well-being. This outcome fulfills the biblical ideal of reconciliation and harmony among peoples. It also reflects God's promise to Isaac of blessing and protection, as seen earlier inGenesis 26:3-5. The peaceful departure is a testament to God's faithfulness in maintaining His covenant with Isaac, ensuring that he lives in peace despite previous tensions.

Genesis 26:31a records, “And they got up early the next morning….”

• The early rising shows eagerness to act on the reconciliation reached the evening before (compareGenesis 19:27;Psalm 5:3).

• Isaac and Abimelech move swiftly, not letting time weaken their resolve, modelingProverbs 3:28, which urges promptness in doing what is right.

• The diligence highlights faith that God had already paved the way for peace, just as Abraham rose early to obey (Genesis 22:3), affirming that prompt obedience honors the Lord’s timing.

“…and swore an oath to each other.”

• An oath in Scripture is a solemn, binding commitment before God (seeGenesis 21:27–32;Hebrews 6:16).

• By exchanging oaths, Isaac and Abimelech formalize trust and accountability, much like Jacob and Laban later erect a witness heap (Genesis 31:44–54).

• Though Jesus later warns against casual oath-making (Matthew 5:33–37), here the covenant serves a righteous purpose: confirming peaceful intent and testifying to God’s faithfulness in Isaac’s life (Genesis 26:28–29).

“Then Isaac sent them on their way….”

• Isaac’s hospitality mirrors that of his father Abraham (Genesis 18:1–8) and anticipates New Testament exhortations to “send them forward in a manner worthy of God” (3John 6).

• By initiating their departure, Isaac displays confidence in the oath and entrusts the future to God (Genesis 24:59;Luke 9:4).

• The gesture underscores that true reconciliation includes both welcome and a gracious release.

“…and they left him in peace.”

• Peace is the fruit of God’s presence (Psalm 4:8) and a fulfillment of the promise that Isaac would be blessed and a blessing to others (Genesis 26:3–4).

•Proverbs 16:7 affirms, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to live at peace with him,” vividly illustrated here.

• The episode closes the cycle of conflict over wells (Genesis 26:15–22) and foreshadows Paul’s counsel: “If it is possible…live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Genesis 26:31 records the practical outworking of God-given reconciliation. Rising early, Isaac and Abimelech act promptly; through a sworn oath they bind their intentions; Isaac’s gracious dismissal shows trust in God’s oversight; and the parting in peace reveals the Lord’s blessing on obedient faith. The verse assures believers that when we honor God, He can transform hostility into harmony and secure our lives in His peace.