For all the wells which his father's servants had digged, in the days of Abraham his father ,.... For the watering of his flocks and herds, see Genesis 21:25 , the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth ; that they might be of no use; and this they did through envy to him, and is mentioned as a proof of it. read more
And Abimelech said unto Isaac, go from us ,.... Which was either said by way of advice, consulting Isaac's good, and the peace of his own kingdom; or else by way of command, enjoining him to depart, having a secret envy to him himself, or at least was jealous of his growing power and wealth: for thou art much mightier than we ; in riches or goods, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; or in number; his family being greatly increased, his servants numerous, many being born of them in his house;... read more
And Isaac departed thence ,.... At once, peaceably and quietly, though to his loss and disadvantage, without taking himself either to argument or arms, in favour of himself; he departed immediately, as soon as he perceived his abode was disagreeable to the king and his people; which gives us a very agree, able idea of the calm and peaceable disposition of Isaac: and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there ; at some distance from the city of Gerar, as Jarchi observes.... read more
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father ,.... This seems to refer to the same wells made mention of in Genesis 26:15 , since it follows: for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham ; these were what Abraham's servants had dug, when he lived at Gerar, and which the Philistines durst not stop during his life; but when he was dead and particularly out of envy to Isaac his son, whom they observed to prosper... read more
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley ,.... In the valley of Gerar, as the Septuagint version expresses it: and found there a well of springing water ; or "living water" F12 מים חיים "aquarum viventium", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius. , which continually flows, as Aben Ezra rightly interprets it: hence this phrase is used of the perpetual and ever living graces of the Spirit of God, John 4:10 . read more
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen ,.... About the well which was dug in the valley; and this shows it was near Gerar or at least was upon the border of the country, and so it was a disputable point to whom it belonged: saying, the water is ours ; though the well was dug by Isaac's servants, yet they laid claim to the water, pretending it was their ground, being on their borders: and he called the name of the well Esek : which signifies "contention": the... read more
And they digged another well ,.... That is, Isaac's servants: and strove for that also ; the herdsmen of Gerar disputed their right to that also, and strove to get it from them: and he called the name of it Sitnah ; which signifies "hatred", it being out of hatred and malice to him that they gave him so much trouble; from this word Satan has his name, and these men were of a diabolical spirit, envious, spiteful, and malicious. read more
And he removed from thence ,.... A little further from their border, to cut off all pretence, and put a stop to all dispute and controversy for the future: and digged another well ; in the place he removed to: and for that they strove not ; it being at such a distance from their border, they could not have the face to claim any right to it: and he called the name of it Rehoboth ; which signifies broad and spacious, places, enlargements: for now hath the Lord made room for us ... read more
For all the wells - the Philistines had stopped them - In such countries a good well was a great acquisition; and hence in predatory wars it was usual for either party to fill the wells with earth or sand, in order to distress the enemy. The filling up the wells in this case was a most unprincipled transaction, as they had pledged themselves to Abraham, by a solemn oath, not to injure each other in this or any other respect. See Genesis 21:25-31 . read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 26:12-25
Here we have, I. The tokens of God's good-will to Isaac. He blessed him, and prospered him, and made all that he had to thrive under his hands. 1. His corn multiplied strangely, Gen. 26:12. He had no land of his own, but took land of the Philistines, and sowed it; and (be it observed for the encouragement of poor tenants, that occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious) God blessed him with a great increase. He reaped a hundred fold; and there seems to be an emphasis laid upon... read more