Bible Commentaries
Genesis 26

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 26:1, Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord instructs and blesses him; Genesis 26:7, He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife; Genesis 26:12, He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity; Genesis 26:18, He digs Esek, Sitnah, and Rehoboth; Genesis 26:23, God appears to him at Beer-sheba, and blesses him; and Abimelech makes a covenant with him; Genesis 26:34, Esau’s wives.

Verse 1

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the first: Genesis 12:10

And Isaac: Genesis 25:11

Abimelech: Genesis 20:2, Genesis 21:22-32

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:19 - Gerar Genesis 20:1 - Gerar Genesis 24:17 - water of Genesis 42:5 - for Joshua 13:2 - borders Ruth 1:1 - a famine 2 Samuel 21:1 - a famine 2 Kings 8:1 - sojourn 2 Chronicles 14:13 - Gerar

Verse 2

appeared: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 18:1, Genesis 18:10-20

dwell: Genesis 12:1, Psalms 37:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:10 - went Genesis 17:21 - my Genesis 35:9 - General Genesis 46:3 - fear not Exodus 4:5 - the Lord Jeremiah 42:10 - abide Hebrews 1:1 - at

Verse 3

Sojourn: Genesis 26:12, Genesis 26:14, Genesis 20:1, Psalms 32:8, Psalms 37:1-6, Psalms 39:12, Hebrews 11:9, Hebrews 11:13-16

I will be: Genesis 28:15, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:21, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 43:5, Philippians 4:9

unto thee: Genesis 12:1, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 13:17, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:8

oath: Genesis 22:16, Genesis 22:18, Psalms 105:9, Micah 7:20, Hebrews 6:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:28 - General Genesis 12:10 - went Genesis 24:7 - which spake Genesis 26:24 - fear Genesis 30:25 - and to Genesis 31:3 - land Genesis 35:12 - the land Genesis 46:3 - fear not Genesis 48:21 - land Genesis 50:24 - you out Exodus 2:24 - remembered Exodus 6:4 - the land of their Exodus 6:8 - to give Exodus 13:5 - sware Exodus 32:13 - to whom Exodus 33:1 - the land Numbers 1:46 - General Numbers 11:12 - the land Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 6:10 - land Deuteronomy 20:1 - the Lord Deuteronomy 26:3 - which the Deuteronomy 29:13 - he may be Deuteronomy 34:4 - This is the land Joshua 1:6 - which I sware Joshua 21:43 - General Judges 2:1 - have brought 1 Chronicles 16:16 - which he made Nehemiah 9:23 - which thou Psalms 105:11 - Unto thee Jeremiah 2:21 - wholly Jeremiah 11:5 - perform Jeremiah 42:10 - abide Ezekiel 20:28 - the which Ezekiel 47:14 - lifted up mine hand Habakkuk 3:9 - according Matthew 1:1 - the son of Abraham Luke 1:73 - General John 14:21 - that hath Acts 7:5 - yet Galatians 3:16 - to Hebrews 11:8 - which

Verse 4

multiply: Genesis 13:16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:4-8, Genesis 18:18, Genesis 22:17, Hebrews 11:2

seed shall: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 12:3, Genesis 22:18, Psalms 72:17, Acts 3:25, Galatians 3:8, Galatians 3:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:28 - General Genesis 13:15 - General Genesis 24:7 - which spake Genesis 26:24 - fear Genesis 28:14 - and in thee Genesis 35:12 - the land Genesis 47:27 - grew Genesis 48:4 - Behold I Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Exodus 32:13 - to whom Leviticus 26:9 - make you Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 1:11 - and bless you Deuteronomy 6:3 - that ye may Deuteronomy 9:5 - that he may Deuteronomy 13:17 - as he hath Deuteronomy 29:13 - he may be Joshua 21:43 - General Judges 2:1 - have brought Psalms 105:11 - Unto thee Ezekiel 20:28 - the which Micah 7:20 - General Habakkuk 3:9 - according Zechariah 8:13 - ye shall Luke 1:55 - General Luke 1:72 - perform Luke 24:27 - beginning Acts 13:32 - how Acts 26:6 - the promise Romans 11:28 - are beloved Hebrews 11:9 - the heirs Hebrews 11:12 - as the stars

Verse 5

Genesis 12:4, Genesis 17:23, Genesis 18:19, Genesis 22:16, Genesis 22:18, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 112:2, Psalms 128:1-6, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 7:24, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 5:6, Hebrews 11:8, James 2:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:12 - now Numbers 9:23 - they kept 1 Kings 15:4 - for David's 2 Chronicles 13:11 - we keep Psalms 19:8 - statutes Ezekiel 18:21 - and keep Zechariah 3:7 - if thou wilt keep

Verse 6

Gerar: Genesis 20:1

Reciprocal: Galatians 2:13 - the other

Verse 7

She is my sister: Genesis 12:13, Genesis 20:2, Genesis 20:5, Genesis 20:12, Genesis 20:13, Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 10:28, Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:9

fair: Genesis 24:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:11 - a fair Genesis 12:12 - will kill Genesis 20:11 - slay Leviticus 6:2 - lie 1 Samuel 21:12 - sore 1 Kings 12:27 - and they shall Galatians 2:13 - the other

Verse 8

a window: Judges 5:28, Proverbs 7:6, Song of Solomon 2:9

sporting: Proverbs 5:18, Proverbs 5:19, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Isaiah 62:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:32 - the Philistines

Verse 9

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:18 - General John 14:9 - how Acts 12:11 - I know

Verse 10

Genesis 12:18, Genesis 12:19, Genesis 20:9, Genesis 20:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:26 - What Exodus 32:21 - General Numbers 25:18 - vex you Job 31:11 - an heinous Proverbs 6:29 - toucheth

Verse 11

toucheth: Genesis 20:6, Psalms 105:15, Proverbs 6:29, Zechariah 2:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:16 - behold Genesis 26:29 - not Job 1:11 - touch

Verse 12

sowed: The author of the " History of the Piratical States of Barbary " observes - p. 44 that the Moors of that country are divided into tribes like the Arabians, and like them dwell in tents, formed into itinerant villages; that "these wanderers farm lands of the inhabitants of the towns, sow and cultivate them, paying their rent with the produce, such as fruits, corn, wax, etc. They are very skilful in choosing the most advantageous soils for every season, and very careful to avoid the Turkish troops, the violence of the one little suiting the simplicity of the other." It is natural to suppose, that Isaac possessed the like sagacity, when he sowed in the land of Gerar, and received that year an hundred-fold.

received: Heb. found

an hundredfold: Psalms 67:6, Psalms 72:16, Ecclesiastes 11:6, Zechariah 8:12, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:8, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 9:10, 2 Corinthians 9:11, Galatians 6:7, Galatians 6:8

blessed: Genesis 26:3, Genesis 26:29, Genesis 24:1, Genesis 24:35, Genesis 30:30, Job 42:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:2 - General Genesis 27:27 - which Genesis 41:47 - General Leviticus 25:21 - I will Deuteronomy 2:7 - blessed Deuteronomy 28:3 - in the field 2 Chronicles 31:10 - the Lord Job 1:10 - thou hast blessed Psalms 65:9 - thou preparest Psalms 107:37 - which may Proverbs 10:22 - it Haggai 2:19 - from Mark 4:20 - an hundred Luke 8:8 - an hundredfold Luke 12:16 - The ground 1 Corinthians 16:2 - as God

Verse 13

And the man waxed great: Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that there is a strange and observable occurrence of the same term in the original, which is literally, "And the man was GREAT, and he went, going on, and was GREAT, until that he was exceeding GREAT." How simple is this language, and yet how forcible!

waxed great: Genesis 24:35, Psalms 112:3

went forward: Heb. went going

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:2 - General Genesis 30:43 - General 1 Samuel 25:2 - man 2 Kings 3:4 - a sheepmaster 2 Chronicles 17:5 - he had riches

Verse 14

had possession: Genesis 12:16, Genesis 13:2, Job 1:3, Job 42:12, Psalms 112:3, Psalms 144:13, Psalms 144:14, Proverbs 10:22

servants: or, husbandry

envied: Genesis 37:11, 1 Samuel 18:9, Job 5:2, Psalms 112:10, Proverbs 27:4, Ecclesiastes 4:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:32 - the Philistines Genesis 24:35 - flocks Genesis 26:3 - Sojourn Genesis 26:27 - seeing Genesis 26:29 - not Genesis 30:43 - General 2 Kings 3:4 - a sheepmaster 2 Chronicles 17:5 - he had riches Psalms 105:14 - General Ezekiel 31:9 - envied James 4:5 - The spirit

Verse 15

his father's: Genesis 21:30

had stopped: In those countries, a well of water was a great acquisition; and hence, this mode of injuring new settlers, or revenging themselves on their enemies, is still resorted to among the inhabitants.

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:25 - reproved Genesis 26:29 - not Exodus 2:17 - shepherds 2 Kings 3:25 - stopped

Verse 16

Go: Dr. A. Clarke observes, that this is the first instance on record of what was termed among the Greeks, ostracism, i.e., the banishment of person from the state, of whose power, influence, or riches, the people were jealous.

mightier: Exodus 1:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:2 - Abimelech Genesis 26:27 - seeing Mark 5:17 - General

Verse 18

in the days: Houbigant contends, that instead of bimey, "in the days," we should read, avdey, "servants;" agreeably to the Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate: "And Isaac digged again the wells of water which the servants of Abraham his father had digged."

and he: Genesis 21:31, Numbers 32:38, Psalms 16:4, Hosea 2:17, Zechariah 13:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:25 - stopped 2 Chronicles 26:10 - digged many wells

Verse 19

springing water: Heb. living, Song of Solomon 4:15, John 4:10, John 4:11, John 7:38

Reciprocal: Numbers 19:17 - running water shall be put thereto

Verse 20

did strive: Genesis 21:25

Esek: i.e. Contention

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:7 - a strife Genesis 20:1 - Gerar Judges 5:11 - in the places 1 Samuel 21:7 - herdmen

Verse 21

Sitnah: i.e. Hatred, Ezra 4:6

Verse 22

digged: The wells in Arabia are generally dug in the rock: their mouths are about six feet in diameter, and they are from nineteen to twenty feet in depth. But Niebuhr informs us, that many wells are from 160 to 170 feet deep.

Rehoboth: i.e. Room

the Lord: Psalms 4:1, Psalms 18:19, Psalms 118:5

be fruitful: Genesis 17:6, Genesis 28:3, Genesis 41:52, Exodus 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:1 - Beersheba 2 Samuel 22:20 - brought

Verse 23

Beersheba: Genesis 21:31, Genesis 46:1, Judges 20:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:33 - called 2 Kings 23:8 - Beersheba Amos 7:9 - the high

Verse 24

I am the: Genesis 15:1, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 24:12, Genesis 28:13, Genesis 31:5, Exodus 3:6, Matthew 22:32, Acts 7:32

fear: Genesis 26:3, Genesis 26:4, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 22:19, Psalms 27:1-3, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:2, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13-15, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 44:2, Isaiah 51:7, Isaiah 51:12, Luke 12:32, Hebrews 13:6, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:28 - General Genesis 24:7 - which spake Genesis 28:15 - I am Genesis 30:27 - the Lord Genesis 31:3 - with thee Genesis 39:2 - the Lord Genesis 39:3 - saw that Exodus 2:24 - remembered Deuteronomy 13:17 - as he hath 1 Kings 18:36 - Lord God Mark 12:26 - I am John 11:15 - for

Verse 25

builded: Genesis 8:20, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:18, Genesis 22:9, Genesis 33:20, Genesis 35:1, Exodus 17:15

called: Psalms 116:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:33 - called Genesis 26:32 - We have Genesis 46:1 - unto Exodus 18:12 - took

Verse 26

Abimelech: Genesis 20:3, Genesis 21:22-32

Phichol: Phichol, as well as Abimelech, "father king," seems to have been a name of office or dignity among the Philistines; for it is not probable that they were the same as are mentioned in the days of Abraham - Genesis 21:22, Genesis 21:32.

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:1 - Gerar Job 11:19 - many

Verse 27

seeing: Genesis 26:14, Genesis 26:16, Judges 11:7, Acts 7:9, Acts 7:14, Acts 7:27, Acts 7:35, Revelation 3:9

sent me: Genesis 26:16

Verse 28

We saw certainly: Heb. Seeing we saw

was with: Genesis 21:22, Genesis 21:23, Genesis 39:5, Joshua 3:7, 2 Chronicles 1:1, Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 60:14, Isaiah 61:6, Isaiah 61:9, Romans 8:31, 1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 13:5

Let there: Genesis 21:31, Genesis 21:32, Genesis 24:3, Genesis 24:41, Genesis 31:49-53, Hebrews 6:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:27 - made Genesis 26:33 - Beersheba Genesis 31:44 - let us Genesis 31:53 - sware Genesis 39:2 - the Lord Genesis 39:3 - saw that 1 Samuel 11:1 - Make Hebrews 6:17 - confirmed it

Verse 29

That thou wilt: Heb. If thou shalt, etc

not: Genesis 26:11, Genesis 26:14, Genesis 26:15

the blessed: Genesis 26:12, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 21:22, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 24:31, Psalms 115:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:17 - in peace Acts 15:33 - they were

Verse 30

Genesis 19:3, Genesis 21:8, Genesis 31:54, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 4:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:16 - slay 2 Samuel 3:20 - David 1 Chronicles 12:39 - eating and drinking

Verse 31

betimes: Genesis 19:2, Genesis 21:14, Genesis 22:3, Genesis 31:55

sware: Genesis 14:22, Genesis 21:23, Genesis 21:31, Genesis 21:32, Genesis 25:33, Genesis 31:44, 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 20:3, 1 Samuel 20:16, 1 Samuel 20:17, 1 Samuel 30:15, Hebrews 6:16

Verse 32

We have: Genesis 26:25, Proverbs 2:4, Proverbs 2:5, Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 13:4, Matthew 7:7

Verse 33

Shebah: i.e. an oath

therefore: Genesis 21:31

Beersheba: i.e. the well of the oath, Genesis 26:28, This may have been the same city which was called Beer-sheba a hundred years before this, in the time of Abraham; but as the well, from which it had its name originally, was closed up by the Philistines, the name of the place might have been abolished with the well; when, therefore, Isaac re-opened it, he restored the ancient name of the place.

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:14 - Beersheba Genesis 21:33 - called Joshua 4:9 - and they are there Joshua 15:28 - Beersheba Nehemiah 11:27 - General

Verse 34

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And Esau: Genesis 36:2, Genesis 36:5, Genesis 36:13

the daughter: Genesis 24:3, Exodus 34:16, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Hebrews 12:16

Bashemath: Genesis 36:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:21 - a wife Genesis 27:46 - because Genesis 28:1 - Thou shalt Genesis 28:8 - the daughters Genesis 34:1 - the daughter Genesis 34:9 - General Numbers 12:1 - married Proverbs 17:21 - that Malachi 2:15 - That he

Verse 35

Which: Genesis 6:2, Genesis 27:46, Genesis 28:1, Genesis 28:2, Genesis 28:8

grief of mind: Heb. bitterness of spirit

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:21 - a wife Genesis 24:3 - that Genesis 34:9 - General Genesis 36:2 - Esau Numbers 12:1 - married Malachi 2:15 - That he