Genesis 26:17-27

17 Yitzchak departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.

18 Yitzchak dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Avraham his father. For the Pelishtim had stopped them after the death of Avraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

19 Yitzchak's servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Yitzchak's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours." He called the name of the well `Esek, because they contended with him.

21 They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. He called the name of it Sitnah.

22 He left that place, and dug another well. They didn't argue over that one. He called it Rechovot. He said, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."

23 He went up from there to Be'er-Sheva.

24 The LORD appeared to him the same night, and said, "I am the God of Avraham your father. Don't be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Avraham's sake."

25 He built an altar there, and called on the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there. There Yitzchak's servants dug a well.

26 Then Avimelekh went to him from Gerar, and Achuzzat his friend, and Pikhol the captain of his host.

27 Yitzchak said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?"

Genesis 26:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 26

This chapter treats of Isaac's removal to Gerar, occasioned by a famine, Ge 26:1; of the Lord's appearance to him there, advising him to sojourn in that place, and not go down to Egypt; renewing the covenant he had made with Abraham, concerning giving that country to him and his seed, Ge 26:2-6; of what happened unto him at Gerar on account of his wife, Ge 26:7-11; of Isaac's great prosperity and success, which drew the envy of the Philistines upon him, Ge 26:12-15; of his departure from hence to the valley of Gerar, at the instance of Abimelech; and of the contentions between his herdsmen, and those of Gerar, about wells of water, which caused him to remove to Beersheba, Ge 26:16-23; of the Lord's appearance to him there, renewing the above promise to him, where he built an altar, pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well, Ge 26:24,25; of Abimelech's coming to him thither, and making a covenant with him, Ge 26:26-31; which place had its name from the oath then made, and the well there dug, Ge 26:32,33; and lastly, of the marriage of Esau, which was a great grief to Isaac and Rebekah, Ge 26:34,35.