Genesis 25:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Isaac prays for Rebekah because she is barren, and God grants her conception.
The Context of Genesis 25:21
Isaac prays for his barren wife, and God grants her conception.
What Does Genesis 25:21 Mean?
Rebekah's barrenness mirrors Sarah's earlier infertility and becomes the occasion for Isaac's prayer. Unlike Abraham, who took matters into his own hands with Hagar, Isaac 'intreated the LORD'—he appealed to God through prayer rather than seeking a human solution. His intercession demonstrates faith and patience, trusting that God both hears prayer and fulfills His covenant promises according to His own timing.
God's responsiveness to Isaac's prayer is immediate and complete: 'the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.' The phrase emphasizes God's willingness to listen and act. Rebekah's conception is not merely a biological fact but a spiritual answer to prayer, confirming that God's covenant promise will continue through this marriage and this child.
Genesis 25:21 in the Original Language
intreated (עָתַר), 'interceded' or 'pleaded' — to make an earnest request of God, showing Isaac's active faith and dependence on divine intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 25:21
What does Genesis 25:21 mean?
Isaac prays for Rebekah because she is barren, and God grants her conception.
What is the context of Genesis 25:21?
Isaac prays for his barren wife, and God grants her conception.