Genesis 26:13
New International Version
The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.

New Living Translation
He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.

English Standard Version
and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.

Berean Standard Bible
and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy.

King James Bible
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

New King James Version
The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;

New American Standard Bible
and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

NASB 1995
and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

NASB 1977
and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

Legacy Standard Bible
and the man became great and continued to grow greater until he became very great;

Amplified Bible
And the man [Isaac] became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and extremely distinguished;

Christian Standard Bible
and the man became rich and kept getting richer until he was very wealthy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and the man became rich and kept getting richer until he was very wealthy.

American Standard Version
And the man waxed great, and grew more and more until he became very great:

Contemporary English Version
and Isaac was so successful that he became very rich.

English Revised Version
And the man waxed great, and grew more and more until he became very great:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He continued to be successful, becoming very rich.

Good News Translation
He continued to prosper and became a very rich man.

International Standard Version
He became very wealthy and lived a life of wealth, becoming more and more wealthy.

NET Bible
The man became wealthy. His influence continued to grow until he became very prominent.

New Heart English Bible
The man became wealthy, and prospered more and more until he became very wealthy.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the man became great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy.

World English Bible
The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the man is great, and goes on, going on and becoming great, until he has been very great,

Young's Literal Translation
and the man is great, and goeth on, going on and becoming great, till that he hath been very great,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the man will become great, and went going, and he became great, until that he became very great.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the man was enriched, and he went on prospering and increasing, till he became exceeding great:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the man was enriched, and he continued prospering as well as increasing, until he became very great.

New American Bible
he became richer and richer all the time, until he was very wealthy.

New Revised Standard Version
and the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the man became great, and went forward and grew until he became very great;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the man became great and he kept on going until he was very great:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the man waxed great, and grew more and more until he became very great.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the man was exalted, and advancing he increased, till he became very great.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac's Prosperity
12Now Isaac sowed seed in the land, and that very year he reaped a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, 13and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy. 14He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.…

Cross References
Genesis 24:35
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.

Genesis 30:43
Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.

Genesis 13:2
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Genesis 39:2-3
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. / When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did,

Genesis 41:40-43
You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” / Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. ...

Deuteronomy 28:11-13
The LORD will make you prosper abundantly—in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land—in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. / The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none. / The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward, if you hear and carefully follow the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am giving you today.

Job 42:12
So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.

Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.

Proverbs 13:21
Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

Ecclesiastes 5:19
Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Luke 12:31
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.

Mark 10:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.


Treasury of Scripture

And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

And the man waxed great.

waxed great.

Genesis 24:35
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

Psalm 112:3
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

went forward.

Jump to Previous
Continually Continued Forward Gained Great Greater Grew Grow Increasing Rich Richer Waxed Wealth Wealthy
Jump to Next
Continually Continued Forward Gained Great Greater Grew Grow Increasing Rich Richer Waxed Wealth Wealthy
Genesis 26
1. Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.
7. He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.
12. He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.
18. He digs wells.
23. God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him;
26. and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.
34. Esau's wives.














and he became richer and richer
This phrase highlights the continued blessing and prosperity of Isaac, the son of Abraham. In the context of Genesis, Isaac's wealth is a sign of God's covenantal faithfulness to Abraham's descendants. The repetition of "richer and richer" emphasizes the ongoing nature of this blessing. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often measured in terms of livestock, servants, and land, all of which Isaac possessed in abundance. This prosperity can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, where God promises to make Abraham into a great nation and bless him. Isaac's increasing wealth also serves as a testament to God's provision and favor, which is a recurring theme throughout the patriarchal narratives.

until he was exceedingly wealthy
The phrase "exceedingly wealthy" underscores the magnitude of Isaac's prosperity. This wealth is not merely material but also indicative of God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises. In the cultural and historical context of the time, wealth was a sign of divine blessing and approval. Isaac's wealth would have included large herds of livestock, numerous servants, and extensive land holdings, which were the primary indicators of wealth in the ancient world. This level of prosperity also set Isaac apart from others in the region, highlighting the unique relationship between God and the patriarchs. Theologically, Isaac's wealth can be seen as a type of the spiritual blessings that believers receive in Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians 1:3, where Paul speaks of the spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. Isaac's story foreshadows the abundant life promised to those who follow God, as seen in John 10:10, where Jesus speaks of giving life "more abundantly."

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaac
The central figure in this verse, Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah. He is a patriarch of the Israelites and is known for his faithfulness and obedience to God.

2. Gerar
The region where Isaac settled during a famine. It was ruled by King Abimelech and is significant as a place where Isaac experienced God's blessings.

3. Prosperity
The event described in this verse is Isaac's increasing wealth, which signifies God's blessing and favor upon him.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
Isaac's prosperity is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham. Believers can trust that God will be faithful to His promises in their lives as well.

Obedience and Blessing
Isaac's wealth came as a result of his obedience to God's direction. Obedience to God can lead to blessings, though they may not always be material.

Contentment and Trust
While Isaac became exceedingly wealthy, the focus should be on trusting God for provision rather than pursuing wealth. Contentment in God's provision is key.

Witness to Others
Isaac's prosperity served as a witness to the surrounding nations of God's power and favor. Our lives can similarly reflect God's goodness to those around us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 26:13?

2. How does Genesis 26:13 illustrate God's blessing in Isaac's life?

3. What can we learn from Isaac's prosperity about God's faithfulness?

4. How does Isaac's growth in Genesis 26:13 connect to God's promises to Abraham?

5. In what ways can we apply Isaac's diligence to our own work today?

6. How should believers respond to God's blessings, as seen in Genesis 26:13?

7. How does Genesis 26:13 reflect God's blessing on Isaac's prosperity?

8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Genesis 26:13?

9. How does Genesis 26:13 illustrate the theme of divine favor in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 26?

11. What does the Bible say about poverty and wealth?

12. Psalm 112:3 declares that the righteous will enjoy wealth and riches; how does this reconcile with devout individuals who remain poor and persecuted throughout history?

13. Ecclesiastes 5:19 depicts wealth as a divine blessing; how does this harmonize with New Testament teachings that caution against riches?

14. Does the account in Genesis 20 conflict with similar narratives in Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 26:1-11, implying a repeated pattern of deception?
What Does Genesis 26:13 Mean
He became

Genesis 26:13 opens with “he became,” spotlighting Isaac’s personal journey.

• The subject is Isaac, living under the covenant first given to Abraham (Genesis 26:3–4).

• His growth starts the moment he obeys God’s command to stay in Gerar during famine (Genesis 26:2, 6).

• Scripture consistently links obedience to God’s word with tangible blessing—see Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2–3; John 15:10.


Richer and richer

The verse continues, “richer and richer,” underscoring steady, observable increase.

• This is not a sudden windfall but a sustained pattern, echoing Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.”

• Momentum matters: Isaac’s harvest of a hundredfold that very year (Genesis 26:12) set the trajectory.

• God’s covenant promise to prosper Abraham’s line (Genesis 12:2; 24:35) is visibly unfolding.


Until he was

The phrase “until he was” marks a culmination point.

• It signals completion of what God began (Philippians 1:6), stressing divine follow-through.

• Isaac’s season of growth didn’t stall despite external opposition—Philistines envied him (Genesis 26:14‐15) yet could not halt the outcome, mirroring Romans 8:31.


Exceedingly wealthy

Finally, “exceedingly wealthy” paints a picture of overflow.

• The text lists flocks, herds, and many servants (Genesis 26:14), reminiscent of Job 1:3 and 42:12.

• Wealth here verifies God’s faithfulness to His covenant and serves as a witness to surrounding nations (Genesis 26:28-29).

• Material abundance points upward—to the Source—just as Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds that it is the LORD who gives power to get wealth, confirming His covenant.


summary

Genesis 26:13 traces Isaac’s journey from obedience to abundant blessing. Each step—he became, richer and richer, until he was, exceedingly wealthy—highlights God’s covenant faithfulness, steady provision, and sovereign ability to complete what He promises, encouraging believers to trust and obey the same unchanging God today.

Verse 13. - And the man waxed great, - like his father before him (cf. Genesis 24:1, 35) - and went forward, - literally, went going, the verb followed by the infinitive expressing constant growth or progressive increase (cf. Genesis 8:3; Genesis 12:9; Judges 4:24) - and grew until he became very great - "as any other farmer would who reaped such harvests" ('Land and Book').

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and [he]
הָאִ֑ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

became richer and richer,
וַיִּגְדַּ֖ל (way·yiḡ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

until
עַ֥ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

he was exceedingly
מְאֹֽד׃ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

wealthy.
וְגָדֵ֔ל (wə·ḡā·ḏêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great


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OT Law: Genesis 26:13 The man grew great and grew more (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:12
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