The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 26:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

So he departed, and came to the torrent of Gerara, to dwell there:

Douay-Rheims

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ מִשָּׁ֖ם יִצְחָ֑ק וַיִּ֥חַן בְּנַֽחַל־גְּרָ֖ר וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב שָֽׁם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Consider the remarkable humility of the righteous individual, who did not elevate himself despite recognizing God's extraordinary mercy towards him. Rather than challenging the king, relying on divine strength to defeat him, he approached the situation as a defenseless person, without any external assistance. With profound meekness, he accomplished the king’s command without even a verbal objection, demonstrating his serenity by promptly departing from the scene. His departure quelled his own passions and illustrated not only his remarkable humility but also his ability to temper the king’s anger.

Read more (92 words)

As it is written, "And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tents in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there." The instruction Christ gave to His disciples, "When they persecute you in one city, flee to another" (Matt. 10:23), was already exemplified by Isaac in action. Similar to how David, in managing Saul’s fierce animosity, distanced himself to protect against danger by calming his own emotions, the righteous man also embodied the apostolic teaching: "Give place to the wrath of God" (Rom. 12:19). He left the city and retreated into the wilderness.

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

In the original Hebrew text, instead of 'valley,' the term used is 'stream.' After receiving honor, Isaac could not have resided in a barren valley. He dwelled by the stream, concerning which it is stated: ‘He shall drink from the stream on the way’ (Psalm 109:7). During a time of famine, Elijah also drank from the stream; however, since Elijah was not flawless like Christ, the stream eventually ran dry for him (1 Kings 17:7). Furthermore, our Lord was betrayed at the stream, thereby consecrating our regeneration and the Sacrament of Baptism.