What is…
Gerar

Meaning: a region; lodging place

This is a very ancient town and district on the south border of ancient Israel, which was ruled over by a king named Abimelech (Genesis 10:19; 20:1-2).

Abraham stayed here, and perhaps Isaac was born in this place.

Both of these patriarchs were guilty of the sin of here denying their wives, and both of them entered into a treaty with the king before they departed to Beersheba (Genesis 21:23-34; Genesis 26).

It seems to have been a rich pastoral country (2 Chronicles 14:13-15). Isaac here reaped an hundred-fold, and was blessed of God (Genesis 26:12).

The “valley of Gerar” (Genesis 26:17) was probably the modern Wady el-Jerdr.

Article Version: September 25, 2026