Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed for doing comparisons of different translations. Click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.
Key: khaki:verbs, green:YHWH.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
BrLXXἘδέετο δὲ Ἰσαὰκ Κυρίου περὶ Ῥεβέκκας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι στεῖρα ἦν· ἐπήκουσε δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ συνέλαβεν ἐν γαστρὶ Ῥεβέκκα ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ. (Edeeto de Isaʼak Kuriou peri Ɽebekkas taʸs gunaikos autou, hoti steira aʸn; epaʸkouse de autou ho Theos, kai sunelaben en gastri Ɽebekka haʸ gunaʸ autou. )
BrTrAnd Isaac prayed the Lord concerning Rebecca his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord heard him, and his wife Rebecca conceived in her womb.
ULTAnd Isaac entreated Yahweh on behalf of his wife because she was barren. So Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
USTHowever for many years Rebekah was not able to become pregnant, so Isaac prayed that Yahweh would give her children. Yahweh did what Isaac prayed for, so that she became pregnant with twins.
BSB § Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
OEBIsaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she had no children; and the Lord heard his prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.
WEBBEIsaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. The LORD was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
NETIsaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
LSVAnd Isaac makes plea to YHWH before his wife, for she [is] barren: and YHWH accepts his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceives,
FBVIsaac prayed to the Lord for help on behalf of his wife because she couldn't have children. The Lord answered his prayer and she became pregnant.
T4TAlmost 20 years after they were married, Rebekah still had no children. So Isaac prayed to Yahweh concerning his wife, and Yahweh answered his prayer. His wife Rebekah became pregnant.
LEBAnd Isaac prayed to Yahweh on behalf of his wife, for she was barren. And Yahweh responded to his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
BBEIsaac made prayer to the Lord for his wife because she had no children; and the Lord gave ear to his prayer, and Rebekah became with child.
JPSAnd Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD let Himself be entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
ASVAnd Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren: and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
DRAAnd Isaac besought the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and he heard him, and made Rebecca to conceive.
YLTAnd Isaac maketh entreaty to Jehovah before his wife, for she [is] barren: and Jehovah is entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiveth,
DrbyAnd Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren; and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived.
RVAnd Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
WbstrAnd Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
KJB-1769And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. )
KJB-1611And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiued. (Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)
BshpsAnd Isahac made intercession vnto the Lorde for his wyfe, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of hym, and Rebecca his wyfe conceaued. (And Isahac made intercession unto the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived.)
GnvaAnd Izhak prayed vuto the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiued, (And Izhak prayed vuto the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived, )
CvdlIsaac besought the LORDE for his wyfe (because she was baren) and the LORDE was intreated, and Rebecca his wyfe conceaued. (Isaac besought the LORD for his wife (because she was baren) and the LORD was entreated, and Rebecca his wife conceived.)
WyclAnd Isaac bisouyte the Lord for his wijf, for sche was bareyn; and the Lord herde him, and yaf conseiuyng to Rebecca. (And Isaac bisouyte the Lord for his wife, for she was bareyn; and the Lord heard him, and gave conseiuyng to Rebecca.)
LuthIsaak aber bat den HErr’s für sein Weib, denn sie war unfruchtbar. Und der HErr ließ sich erbitten, und Rebekka, sein Weib, ward schwanger. (Isaak but bat the LORD’s for his woman, because they/she/them what/which unfruchtbar. And the/of_the LORD left/let itself/yourself/themselves erbitten, and Rebekka, his woman, what/which schwanger.)
ClVgDeprecatusque est Isaac Dominum pro uxore sua, eo quod esset sterilis: qui exaudivit eum, et dedit conceptum Rebeccæ.[fn] (Deprecatusque it_is Isaac Dominum for uxore sua, eo that was sterilis: who exaudivit him, and he_gave conceptum Rebeccæ. )
25.21Deprecatusque sed collidebantur in utero parvuli, etc. HIER. Promotione vel collisione LXX posuerunt, ludebant vel recalcitrabant: Aquila, confligebant filii in utero ejus. Symmachus, in similitudine navis in superficie ferebantur. GREG., Dial. 1, 8 Quæ sancti orando efficiunt, etc., usque ad is enim, in quo Deus multiplicare semen Abrahæ prædestinaverat, oratione obtinuit ut filios haberet. Qui exaudivit eam. CHRYSOST. Ne putes e vestigio et protinus assecutum esse quod optabat: nam viginti annis mansit orans et deprecans Deum. Nam sicut docuit nos quot annos habuit quando duxit Rebeccam nempe quadraginta, ita assignavit nobis quot annorum fuerit Isaac, quando nati sunt ei filii. Sexagenarius, inquit, erat quando nati sunt parvuli. Perrexitque, etc., AUG., Quæst. in Gen., tom. 3 Quæritur quo ierit, cum nondum essent prophetæ vel sacerdotes tabernaculi aut templi Domini? Forsitan ad locum ubi aram constituit Abraham. Sed quomodo ibi responsa darentur, tacet Scriptura; an per aliquem sacerdotem? quem mirum est, si erat, non fuisse nominatum, et nullam sacerdotum factam mentionem esse. Forsitan ibi, cum orando allegassent desideria sua, dormiebant, ut per somnum monerentur: vel adhuc vivebat Melchisedech, cujus tanta fuit excellentia, ut dubitaretur utrum homo an angelus fuerit. Vel forte etiam illo tempore erant homines Dei, in quibus Deus posset interrogari. Quidquid horum, vel forte aliud fuerit. Rebecca tamen secundum Scripturam Dominum interrogavit, et responsum ejus meruit.
25.21Deprecatusque but collidebantur in utero parvuli, etc. HIER. Promotione or collisione LXX posuerunt, ludebant or recalcitrabant: Aquila, confligebant children in utero his. Symmachus, in similitudine navis in superficie ferebantur. GREG., Dial. 1, 8 Which sancti orando efficiunt, etc., until to is because, in quo God multiplicare seed Abrahæ prædestinaverat, oratione obtinuit as filios haberet. Who exaudivit eam. CHRYSOST. Ne putes e vestigio and protinus assecutum esse that optabat: nam twenty annis mansit orans and deprecans God. Nam like docuit we quot years habuit when duxit Rebeccam nempe quadraginta, ita assignavit us quot annorum has_been Isaac, when nati are to_him children. Sexagenarius, he_said, was when nati are parvuli. Perrexitque, etc., AUG., Quæst. in Gen., tom. 3 Quæritur quo ierit, when/with nondum they_would_be prophetæ or priests tabernaculi aut templi Domini? Forsitan to place where aram constituit Abraham. But how there responsa darentur, tacet Scriptura; an through aliquem sacerdotem? which mirum it_is, when/but_if was, not/no fuisse nominatum, and nullam sacerdotum factam mentionem esse. Forsitan ibi, when/with orando allegassent desideria sua, dormiebant, as through somnum monerentur: or adhuc vivebat Melchisedech, cuyus tanta fuit excellentia, as dubitaretur utrum human an angelus has_been. Vel forte also illo tempore they_were homines of_God, in to_whom God posset interrogari. Quidquid horum, or forte something_else has_been. Rebecca tamen after/second Scripturam Dominum interrogavit, and responsum his meruit.
25:21 For twenty years, Rebekah was barren (cp. 25:20, 26), like Sarah (see 16:1). This condition tested their faith (see study note on 16:1-3). How could they be childless when God promised that nations would issue from them? • Isaac pleaded with theLord and theLordanswered Isaac’s prayer. Isaac apparently learned from his father’s mistake and responded in faith.
With the apparent exception of Leah—and only then for a time—each of the patriarchs’ wives suffered infertility before eventually having children (Gen 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; see also 1 Sam 1:1-18). Children continued the family line, helped protect the tribe, and provided labor. They ensured that hereditary property would stay within the family, guaranteed assistance in old age, and enacted the proper funeral rites. Infertility was therefore a crushing stigma for a woman (Ps 113:9; Prov 30:15-16; Isa 54:1), who understood herself to be created as a vessel of life (Gen 1:28; 3:20). It was considered a denial of blessing, design, and desire (1:28), and it brought shame (1 Sam 1:7), ridicule (Gen 16:4), and vicious jealousy (30:1).
In the Old Testament, childlessness is a theological issue. Fertility is controlled by the Creator (20:17-18; 30:2, 22-23; 1 Sam 1:6, 27), who causes fertility and infertility according to his purpose and his promises (Gen 17:19; 30:2; Ps 113:9; Luke 1:11-20; Rom 4:19). God often chose infertility as a precursor to the birth of a promised or unique child, marking the birth as God’s own work. Childlessness is thus a trial of patience that prompts prayer and faith (Gen 25:21; 1 Sam 1:11). Abraham learned to nurture faith in God’s promise long before his child arrived (Gen 15:4-6; 17:15-21; Rom 4:20-22). When a couple has been infertile, a child’s arrival is marked as a special display of God’s faithfulness and creative authority.
God’s delays are not necessarily denials, but they remind longing men and women to use trials for growth and to see children as a gift that cannot be taken for granted. A childless home can be filled with devotion to God as human expectations are submitted to his will. And for whatever reason, a couple may remain infertile their entire lives. God’s people must not isolate their brothers and sisters who are experiencing infertility but must surround them with love and support.
Isaac and Rebekah had been married for almost 20 years and they still had no children. See how you translated barren in Gen 11:30. Also, it may be clearer to change the order of the clauses in this sentence to put them in the order in which they happened. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “Isaac prayed earnestly to Yahweh for his wife to have children because she was barren” or “But for many years Rebekah was not able to get pregnant, so Isaac prayed that Yahweh would give her children.”
וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר לוֹ֙ יְהוָ֔ה
and,granted_~_prayer to=him/it YHWH
Alternate translation: “Yahweh did what he prayed for,”
For some languages it is clearer to include here the fact that Rebekah was pregnant with two babies, rather than wait until verse 22. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “so that Rebekah became pregnant with twins.”
Though the patriarch Isaac moved from place to place several times within southern Canaan, compared to his father Abraham and his son Jacob, Isaac appears to have been a bit of a homebody. In fact, unless Isaac resettled in places not recorded in Scripture, the farthest extent he ever traveled appears to have been only about 90 miles (113 km). Yet, as the child of God’s promise to Abraham to build a great nation from his descendants, Isaac’s relatively simple life served as a critical bridge from Abraham to the beginnings of the twelve tribes of Israel, who were descended from Isaac’s son Jacob. It is likely that Isaac was born at Beersheba (see Genesis 21:1-24), and later Abraham offered him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah (located at Jerusalem; see 2 Chronicles 3:1). Then Abraham, Isaac, and those with them returned to Beersheba (Genesis 22:1-19). When Isaac reached adulthood, his father sent a servant to bring back a bride for him from Aram-naharaim, far north of Canaan. When his bride, Rebekah, arrived, Isaac had just come from Beer-lahai-roi and settled in the Negev (Genesis 24:62). Later Isaac resettled with Rebekah in Beer-lahai-roi, and this may have been where their twins son Esau and Jacob were born. A famine forced Isaac to go to Gerar (Genesis 26:1-6) in “the land of the Philistines.” The distinct people group known as the Philistines in later books of the Bible did not arrive until the time of the Judges, so the term here must have referred to another people group living in this region, and this is supported by the fact that King Abimelech’s name is Semitic, not Aegean (the likely origin of the later Philistines). While Isaac was there, he repeated his father’s error (Genesis 20) by lying to the king that his wife was only his sister. Isaac also became increasingly prosperous at Gerar, so the Philistines told him to leave their region. Isaac moved away from the town of Gerar and settled further away in the valley of Gerar. There he dug a well, but the Philistines claimed it for themselves, so he called it Esek, meaning “argument.” So Isaac’s men dug another well and called it Sitnah (meaning “hostility”), but it led to more quarreling, so he dug yet another well and called it Rehoboth (meaning “open space”). The locations of these two later wells are not certain, but they may have been located near Ruheibeh as shown on this map. Then Isaac moved to Beersheba and built an altar. He also dug a well there, and King Abimelech of the Philistines came and exchanged oaths of peace with him. It was likely at Beersheba that Isaac blessed his sons Esau and Jacob, and both sons eventually left Canaan (see “Jacob Goes to Paddan-Aram” map). When Jacob later returned, he traveled to Mamre near Hebron and reunited with Isaac. Sometime after this Isaac died, and Jacob and Esau buried him there.
