Deep Dive

Genesis 26:20

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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.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

In this chapter we have, I. Isaac in adversity, by reason of a famine in the land, which, 1. Obliges him to change his quarters (Gen 26:1). But, 2. God visits him with direction and comfort (Gen 26:2-5). 3. He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech (Gen 26:6-11). II. Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him (Gen 26:12-14). And, 1. The Philistines were envious at him (Gen 26:14-17). 2. He continued industrious in his business (Gen 26:18-23). 3. God appeared to him, and encouraged him, and he devoutly acknowledged God (Gen 26:24, Gen 26:25). 4. The Philistines, at length, made court to him, and made a covenant with him (Gen 26:26-33). 5. The disagreeable marriage of his son Esau was an alloy to the comfort of his prosperity (Gen 26:34, Gen 26:35).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… גְּרָר (Gᵉrâr, H1642) — Gerar, a Philistine city רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בְּאֵר (bᵉʼêr, H875) — a pit; especially a well עֵשֶׂק (ʻêseq, H6230) — strife עָשַׂק (ʻâsaq, H6229) — to press upon, i.e. quarrel

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Genesis 21:25rank 8

But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

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