Keraia
Genesis 26

Genesis 26:18

Isaac’s Prosperity · Genesis 26:12–25
Read Genesis 26

Translations

Modern
Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died. And he gave these wells the same names his father had given them.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Isaac returned dug the wells of water that they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he called to them names, according to the names that his father had called them.
Latin
…rursum fodit alios puteos, quos foderant servi patris sui Abraham, et quos, illo mortuo, olim obstruxerant Philisthiim: appellavitque eos eisdem nominibus quibus ante pater vocaverat.

Original

Hebrew
English
Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died. And he gave these wells the same names his father had given them.

Notes

Genesis 26:17–22

Isaac left … in the Valley of Gerar: This was away from the city of Gerar itself, but probably still within 16 kilometers (10 miles).

When he got there, Isaac reopened the wells of his father. Although people opposed him there, Isaac chose not to fight back. He gave up one well after another until God's blessing overcame the opposition. Whenever Isaac reopened a well, even if enemies filled it in, he found water. God blessed Isaac, and nothing could stop it. Finally, the Philistines left Isaac alone.

Genesis 26:1–35

This section pauses Jacob’s story to focus on Isaac. Isaac’s success and wealth in chapter 26 show that God’s blessing had passed to him (compare 25:11), even though he sometimes failed to trust God.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Isaac: Son of Abraham; father of Jacob and Esau

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Abimelech Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Gerar Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Philistia, Philistines Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Isaac Dishonesty: Abimelech's Servants Confiscate a Well Gerar: A Valley Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: His Peaceableness Patience: Isaac Toward the People of Gerar Property in Real Estate: Rights In, Violated Tents were Pitched in the Neighbourhood of Wells Wells were often Stopped up by Enemies Wells: Frequently Made: Near Encampments Wells: The Occasion of Feuds: Between Isaac and Abimelech