Genesis 25:21 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.

◄ Genesis 25:21 ►

New International Version
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

New Living Translation
Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The LORD answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.

English Standard Version
And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

New King James Version
Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

New American Standard Bible
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children; and the LORD answered him, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

NASB 1995
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.

NASB 1977
And Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Isaac entreated Yahweh on behalf of his wife because she was barren; and Yahweh was moved by his entreaty. So Rebekah his wife conceived.

Amplified Bible
Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was unable to conceive children; and the LORD granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived [twins].

Christian Standard Bible
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

American Standard Version
And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren: and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Contemporary English Version
Rebekah still had no children. So Isaac asked the LORD to let her have a child, and the LORD answered his prayer.

English Revised Version
And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Good News Translation
Because Rebecca had no children, Isaac prayed to the LORD for her. The LORD answered his prayer, and Rebecca became pregnant.

International Standard Version
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, since she was unable to conceive children, and the LORD responded to him—his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

New Heart English Bible
Isaac prayed for his wife, because she was barren. And God was moved by his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

World English Bible
Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Isaac makes plea to YHWH before his wife, for she [is] barren: and YHWH accepts his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceives,

Young's Literal Translation
And Isaac maketh entreaty to Jehovah before his wife, for she is barren: and Jehovah is entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiveth,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Isaak will supplicate to Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren: and Jehovah will be supplicated for him, and Rebekah his wife will conceive.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Isaac besought the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and he heard him, and made Rebecca to conceive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Isaac beseeched the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And he heard him, and he gave conception to Rebekah.

New American Bible
Isaac entreated the LORD on behalf of his wife, since she was sterile. The LORD heard his entreaty, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

New Revised Standard Version
Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Isaac prayed before the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Isaaq prayed before LORD JEHOVAH, because his wife was sterile, and LORD JEHOVAH answered him, and Raphqa his wife became pregnant.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jacob and Esau
…20and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. 21Later, 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. 22But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 1:10-20
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” / As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. ...

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 1:36-37
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”

Romans 9:10-12
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,

Judges 13:2-3
Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. / The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.

1 Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

Genesis 16:11
The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.

Genesis 21:1-2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

Genesis 30:1-2
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

2 Kings 4:14-17
So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” / “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. / And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” ...

Matthew 1:20-21
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. / She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Treasury of Scripture

And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

1 Samuel 1:11,27
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head…

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 65:2
O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

because.

Genesis 11:30
But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

Genesis 15:2,3
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? …

Genesis 16:2
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

and the.

1 Chronicles 5:20
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

2 Chronicles 33:13
And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.

and Rebekah.

Romans 9:10-12
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; …

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Barren Behalf Child Children Conceived Conceiveth Ear Entreated Entreaty Granted Isaac Maketh Prayed Prayer Pregnant Rebecca Rebekah Wife

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Genesis 25

1. The sons of Abraham by Keturah.
5. The division of his goods.
7. His age, death, and burial.
11. God blesses Isaac.
12. The generations of Ishmael.
17. His age and death.
19. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.
22. The children strive in her womb.
24. The birth of Esau and Jacob.
27. Their different characters and pursuits.
29. Esau sells his birthright.

Berean Study Bible

Isaac prayed to the LORD
The act of prayer here is significant, as it demonstrates Isaac's faith and reliance on God. The Hebrew word for "prayed" is "עָתַר" (athar), which implies a deep, earnest entreaty. Isaac's prayer is a model of intercession, showing his role as a spiritual leader in his family. This reflects the importance of prayer in the life of believers, emphasizing that God desires a personal relationship with His people, where they can bring their deepest concerns to Him.

on behalf of his wife
Isaac's prayer is not self-centered but is intercessory, highlighting the importance of praying for others, especially those closest to us. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of love and care within marriage, where spouses support each other spiritually. It also reflects the patriarchal context of the time, where the husband often took the spiritual lead in the family.

because she was barren
Rebekah's barrenness is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God often works through the impossible to fulfill His promises. The Hebrew word for "barren" is "עֲקָרָה" (aqarah), which denotes a state of childlessness. This situation sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness, as He had done with Sarah, Isaac's mother. It reminds believers that God's timing and plans are perfect, even when circumstances seem hopeless.

and the LORD answered him
The phrase indicates God's responsiveness to prayer. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) means to respond or answer, showing that God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of His people. This assurance of answered prayer encourages believers to persist in prayer, trusting that God hears and will respond according to His will.

and his wife Rebekah conceived
This miraculous conception is a testament to God's faithfulness and power. The Hebrew word for "conceived" is "הָרָה" (harah), which signifies the beginning of new life. Rebekah's conception is not just a personal blessing but a fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham, ensuring the continuation of the chosen lineage. It serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over life and fulfills His promises in His perfect timing.

Pulpit Commentary

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 regarded as noting precum multiplicationem, et vehementiam et perseverantiam (Poole): cf. Ezekiel 35:13 - the Lord - Jehovah; not because vers. 21-23 are the composition of the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Davidson, et alii), but because the desired son was to be the heir of promise (Hengstenberg). The less frequent occurrence of the Divine name in the Thol-doth of Isaac than in those of Terah has been explained by the fact that the historical matter of the later portion furnishes less occasion for its introduction than that of the earlier; and the predominance of the name Elohim over that of Jehovah in the second stage of the patriarchal history has been partly ascribed to the employment after Abraham's time of such like equivalent expressions as "God of Abraham" and "God of my father" (Keil) - for his wife, - literally, opposite to his wife, i.e. beside his wife, placing himself opposite her, and conjoining his supplications with hers (Ainsworth, Bush); or, better, in behalf of his wife (LXX., Vulgate, Calvin, Keil, Kalisch), i.e. setting her over against him as the sole object to which he had regard in his intercessions (Luther) - because she was barren: - as Sarah had been before her (vide Genesis 11:80); the long-continued sterility of both having been designed to show partly that "children are the heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3), but chiefly that the children of the promise were to be not simply the fruit of nature, but the gift of grace and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived (cf. Romans 9:10).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Later, Isaac
יִצְחָ֤ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

prayed
וַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר (way·ye‘·tar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6279: To burn incense in worship, intercede

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

on behalf of
לְנֹ֣כַח (lə·nō·ḵaḥ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5227: The front part, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

his wife,
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she
הִ֑וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

[was] barren.
עֲקָרָ֖ה (‘ă·qā·rāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6135: Sterile

And the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

heard his prayer,
וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר (way·yê·‘ā·ṯer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6279: To burn incense in worship, intercede

and his wife
אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Rebekah
רִבְקָ֥ה (riḇ·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

conceived.
וַתַּ֖הַר (wat·ta·har)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2029: To conceive, become pregnant

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OT Law: Genesis 25:21 Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife because (Gen. Ge Gn)