Genesis 26:16

16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Leave our country because you have become much more powerful than we are."

Genesis 26:16 Meaning and 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; Abraham had three hundred and eighteen trained servants in his house, ( Genesis 14:14 ) ; how many Isaac had is not certain; they must be a large number for Abimelech to fear anything from them. Some choose to interpret the words, thou hast increased, or thou hast got much from us, and by us; and therefore it is high time for thee to be gone from us.

Genesis 26:16 In-Context

14 He had so many slaves and flocks and herds that the Philistines envied him.
15 So they stopped up all the wells the servants of Isaac's father Abraham had dug. (They had dug them when Abraham was alive.) The Philistines filled those wells with dirt.
16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Leave our country because you have become much more powerful than we are."
17 So Isaac left that place and camped in the Valley of Gerar and lived there.
18 Long before this time Abraham had dug many wells, but after he died, the Philistines filled them with dirt. So Isaac dug those wells again and gave them the same names his father had given them.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.