Genesis 26 Study Notes

26:26-29 As with Abraham (21:22-23), God’s blessing was clearly present on Isaac’s life. The Philistine leaders believed that to oppose Isaac was to invite disaster from God and reprisals from members of Isaac’s clan who felt they had been wronged. Thus they wanted to make a covenant with him.

26:30-33 Isaac’s preparation of a banquet signified his acceptance of the treaty, which became official the next day when the parties swore an oath of non-aggression. That same day Isaac’s slaves reported success in digging a fifth well, this one named Sheba (Hb shiva‘h; “Seven”), similar to the Hebrew word for “oath” (shevua‘) and confirming Abraham’s name for Beer-sheba (21:31).

26:34-35 Esau married at the same age his father had (25:20). His marriages to two pagan Hethites, Judith (“Praise”) and Basemath (“Balsam/Spice”), expressed more of his undisciplined nature (see note at 25:27-28). Esau’s wives made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah, most likely by being contentious about Jacob’s favored status.