Genesis 26:6

Summary

Genesis 26:6 is a short narrative notice stating that Isaac took up residence in the region of Gerar. It functions as a transitional verse, closing the preceding scene and setting the stage for the events that follow in Gerar.

Key words

• va ("and", H9001) — the narrative vav prefixed to the verb, marking this as the next sequential event in the story chain rather than a general statement.
• yeshev ("he dwelt", H3427) — qal verb, third person masculine singular, narrative form; denotes settling or dwelling rather than a temporary stay.
• Yitzchak ("Isaac", H3327) — proper noun, subject of the verb, identifying the person who performs the dwelling.
• bi ("in", H9003) — preposition attached directly to the following place name, indicating location.
• Gerar ("Gerar", H1642) — proper noun, place name, object of the preposition, naming the location of the dwelling.

What the text says

The verse consists of only two grammatical units beyond the connective vav: a verb-subject pair (yeshev Yitzchak, "he dwelt, Isaac") followed by a prepositional phrase (bi-Gerar, "in Gerar"). Hebrew narrative syntax places the verb before the subject in this construction, a common pattern for sequential narrative clauses introduced by the vav-consecutive. This word order signals continuity with prior action in the surrounding narrative, showing that this dwelling is presented as the next event in sequence, not as a summary or a flashback.

The verb yeshev (H3427) carries a semantic range that includes both "to sit" and "to dwell/settle," and in this qal narrative form it indicates an established residence rather than a brief visit. The preposition bi (H9003) is prefixed directly onto Gerar (H1642) without a separate word, a standard feature of Hebrew locative prepositions attaching to place names. The verse gives no additional detail — no duration, no companions mentioned, no motive — the grammar itself is minimal, consistent with its function as a narrative bridge.

Differences between versions

The Hebrew place name Gerar (H1642) appears in the Septuagint as Γεραροῖς and in the Vulgate as "Geraris," both using a plural-looking form of the name that is typical for how these languages render this toponym, whereas the Hebrew text uses a singular form of the place name. This is a difference in grammatical number/case conventions between the languages rather than a difference in meaning — all versions refer to the same single location. The Spanish and English translations (RV1909, BSB, SBLIBRE) render the place name in singular form, matching the underlying single location referenced by the Hebrew.