Keraia
Genesis 26

Genesis 26:20

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

Translations

Modern
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.
Traditional
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
Literal
And the shepherds of Gerar strove with the shepherds of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” And he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.
Latin
Sed et ibi jurgium fuit pastorum Geraræ adversus pastores Isaac, dicentium: Nostra est aqua, quam ob rem nomen putei ex eo, quod acciderat, vocavit Calumniam.

Original

Hebrew
English
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

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

Isaac: Son of Abraham; father of Jacob and Esau

Places

Esek: Well dug by Isaac's servants; named after quarrel Gerar: Philistine city; Abraham and Isaac's encounters with Abimelech

Glossary

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

Topics

Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Isaac Dishonesty: Abimelech's Servants Confiscate a Well Esek: A Well Dug by the Servants of Isaac Gerar: A Valley Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: His Peaceableness Meekness: Isaac Patience: Isaac Toward the People of Gerar Property in Real Estate Property in Real Estate: Rights In, Violated Servants: Characteristics of Wicked Servants: Quarrelsomeness Strife: Herdmen of Gerar and of Isaac Strife: Isaac's and Those of Gerar Wells: Esek Wells: The Occasion of Feuds: Between Isaac and Abimelech