Genesis 26:12-22

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 26:12

Then, Isaac sowed in that land ,.... In the land of Gerar; after matters were settled between him and Abimelech, and he had ordered his servants to do him no hurt, he sowed wheat or barley, or some such grain: and received in the same year an hundred fold ; in which he sowed it, and which many take to be a year of famine; and so it was the more extraordinary, that there should be such a plentiful crop produced on Isaac's ground, when there was such barrenness elsewhere: but it does not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:13

And the man waxed great ,.... In substance, as well as in honour and glory, among men: and went forward ; in the world, and in the increase of worldly things: and grew until he became very great : as he must needs be, since Abraham his father left him all that he had, who was very rich in cattle, in gold and silver, and had been increasing ever since; and especially since he came to Gerar, where he was gradually increasing, until he became to be exceeding great indeed, even the... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:19

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:20

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

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