Genesis 26:14-18

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:14

For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds ,.... Many flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle, of oxen, asses and camels, in which the riches of men in those times and countries chiefly lay: and great store of servants ; to look after his flocks and herds, and fields; or "much husbandry" F6 עבדה רבה "cultura multa", Drusius; "proventus multus", Pagninus; "servitium multum", Schmidt; γεωργια πολλα , Sept. ; Jarchi interprets it much tillage; as, much land, many... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:15

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:17

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:18

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:14

He had possession of flocks - He who blessed him in the increase of his fields blessed him also in the increase of his flocks; and as he had extensive possessions, so he must have many hands to manage such concerns: therefore it is added, he had great store of servants - he had many domestics, some born in his house, and others purchased by his money. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:15

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:16

Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we - This is the first instance on record of what was termed among the Greeks ostracism; i.e., the banishment of a person from the state, of whose power, influence, or riches, the people were jealous. There is a remarkable saying of Bacon on this subject, which seems to intimate that he had this very circumstance under his eye: "Public envy is an ostracism that eclipseth men when they grow too great." On this same principle Pharaoh oppressed the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:18

In the days of Abraham - Instead of בימי bimey , in the days, Houbigant contends we should read עבדי abdey , servants. Isaac dug again the wells which the servants of Abraham his father had dug. This reading is supported by the Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate; and it is probably the true one. read more

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