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Matthew Henry

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 26:15

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:16

Verse 16 16.And Abimelech said unto Isaac. It is uncertain whether the king of Gerar expelled Isaac of his own accord from his kingdom, or whether he commanded him to settle elsewhere, because he perceived him to be envied by the people. He possibly might, in this manner, advise him as a friend; although it is more probable that his mind had become alienated from Isaac; for at the close of the chapter Moses relates, that the holy man complains strongly of the king as well as of others. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:1-35

Line upon line, in God's teaching. Isaac, like his father, has his time of sojourn among the Philistines. The events of his intercourse with the Abimelech of his day resemble those of the former patriarch, though there are differences which show that the recurrence is historical . I. GOD REPEATS HIS LESSONS that they may make the deeper impression. The intention of the record is to preserve a certain line of Divine guidance . Isaac trod in the footsteps of Abraham. We have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:12-22

A good man's prosperity. I. WHENCE IT PROCEEDED . 1. The industry of Isaac . "Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold." An intimate connection subsists between diligence and prosperity. 2. The blessing of God . "And the Lord blessed him. As without Divine assistance the best contrived and most laboriously applied means may fail in the accumulation of material goods, so with heavenly succor the least likely instruments can achieve... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:15

For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father ( vide Genesis 21:30 ), the philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth. This act, commonly regarded as legitimate in ancient warfare, was practically to Isaac an act of expulsion, it being impossible for flocks and herds to exist without access to water supplies. It was probably, as the text indicates, the outcome of envy, rather than inspired by fear that Isaac in digging and... read more

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