Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 26:18-22

"And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham; and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdsmen of Gerar strove with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. And they... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 26:18-22

Isaac reopened the wells that Abraham had dug but the native inhabitants had later filled with earth. He also dug three new wells. In contrast with Abraham, Isaac "was called not so much to pioneer as to consolidate." [Note: Kidner, p. 154.] This incident shows God’s blessing of Isaac, too. Water in the wilderness is a strong symbol of God’s supernatural blessing in spite of nature.The incident also reveals the peaceful character of this patriarch who did not battle his neighbors for the wells,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:1-35

Isaac at GerarMany of the notes on Genesis 20, 21 are applicable to this chapter It is thought probable that the present narrative is in the main a repetition from another source of events already recorded.2. Go not down into Egypt] to get food as Abraham did. The covenant blessing is renewed and the possession of Canaan assured to Isaac. He is encouraged to stay in Canaan in dependence on God. 7. My sister] The expression might mean cousins.12. An hundredfold] Though very large, such a crop is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 26:1-35

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 26:18-22

(18-22) Isaac digged again the wells . . . —This activity of Isaac called forth anew the opposition of the Philistines, His first well was in the wady of Gerar, and was the more valuable because it was not the mere remains of the water of the torrent, but was fed by a spring, as we learn from its being called “a well of living water.” But though Isaac had a right to these wells by reason of the old covenant between his father and the king, yet when his claim was resisted he abandoned the well,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 26:1-35

Isaac the Peacemaker Genesis 26:12-25 Isaac gave up his wells rather than quarrel over them. A similar historical instance of peace-loving is given by Knox in his History of the Reformation. George Wishart, the martyr, a man, 'lowly, lovely, glad to teach, desirous to learn,' went by request to the church of Mauchline to preach there. But the Sheriff of Ayrshire, fearing the destruction of the ornaments of the church, got a number of the local gentlemen to garrison it against the preacher.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 26:1-35

CHAPTER 26 Isaac in Gerar 1. The famine (Genesis 26:1 ) 2. Jehovah appears unto Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5 ) 3. Isaac in Gerar where he denies Rebekah (Genesis 26:6-11 ) 4. Isaac’s prosperity and the digging of wells (Genesis 26:12-22 ) 5. Jehovah appears at Beersheba (Genesis 26:23-25 ) 6. Isaac and Abimelech (Genesis 26:26-33 ) 7. The wives of Esau (Genesis 26:34-35 ) When the famine came Jehovah commanded Isaac not to go to Egypt. As Isaac is the type of Christ risen from the dead... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:1-35

ISAAC IN GERAR A famine occurs in the land, just as it had in the days of Abraham (ch.12:10). In that case Abraham went down to Egypt, whereas Isaac went only as far as Gerar, in the land of the Philistines, but the same place where we read of Abraham denying his relationship with Sarah. It may be that Isaac had some thought of continuing down to Egypt, for God appeared to him, telling him not to go there, but to remain in the land of promise (v.2). He was not told to remain in one place, but... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:1-35

JACOB AND ESAU THE DEFRAUDED BIRTHRIGHT (Genesis 25:19-34 ) As we read the introductory part of this chapter, we are impressed that many of the mothers of the notable men of the Bible were for a long while childless: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and the mothers of Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist. Was this that their faith might be proved? We wonder, too, what is meant by the statement that Rebekah “went to inquire of Jehovah.” There seems to have been some way, even in that early time,... read more

Group of Brands