Chapter Twenty-Six
God’s Promise Extends to Isaac
26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
We fast-forward to a time when Isaac was approximately 80 years old. The chapter begins with a familiar story about a potentially serious famine with the pervading theme of the need to trust God (see Genesis 12:10-20). The Bible does not record much about Isaac and his life, however, it is likely that this may have been his first real test of faith, as he would not have experienced a famine like this (the text adds that the last famine was in the days of Abraham). Isaac was undoubtedly still living at Beer-lahai-roi (see Genesis 25:11), which apparently was a plentiful area, until the famine came. Having a family and many servants (inherited from his father) as well as all the flocks and herds to consider, making the wrong decision could prove disastrous.
Isaac decided to travel towards the Great Sea coastline (known today as the Mediterranean Sea), instead of south towards Egypt like his father did many years earlier under similar circumstances (see Genesis 20:1-18). He may have decided to go west to the cooler coastal regions before heading south to Egypt, since God intervened and appeared before him and told him not to go into Egypt. This would be Isaac’s first recorded encounter with God since he was on Mount Moriah with his father Abraham (see Genesis 22:1-19).
God tells Isaac to remain in the land of the Philistines and he will be blessed, God then reconfirms the covenant given to Abraham, now extended to Isaac. First, God mentions that all these lands will be given to him and his offspring, next God mentions that He will multiply his offspring counting as many as the stars in heaven, who will be a blessing to all nations. The reason for this promise to Isaac is given, the fact that that his father obeyed God in four ways, Abraham kept His “charge” (Hebrew word ‘miš·mǎrt’,[1] to keep, protect or guard); “commandments” (Hebrew word ‘miṣ·wōṯ’,[2] meaning commands, teachings or any instruction); “statutes” (Hebrew word ‘ḥǔq·qôṯ’,[3] meanings statutes, ordinances, or anything prescribed); and “laws” (Hebrew word ‘ṯô·rōṯ’[4] plural or ‘tô·rā(h)’ singular, meaning instruction, direction or law, this is the first time this important word is used in Scripture, and it is directly connected to the concept of obedience, even though there was no written law at this time). In summary, the reason given was Abraham’s faithful obedience. Notice that there is no mention of Isaac’s obedience, making this encounter a powerful lesson that would clearly encourage Isaac to do the same.
As mentioned in the commentary for Genesis 20:1-2, the word Abimelech was probably a title for a Philistine king and not a proper name. This would not the same Abimelech Abraham faced in the story of Genesis chapter 20.
Isaac and Abimelech
26:6 So Isaac settled in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife. 9 So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’ ” 10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”
Heeding God’s instructions, Isaac and his family stayed in Gerar, a part of Canaan that had been under the rule of the Philistines for many years. Even though this Abimelech was not the same person Abraham encountered, he no doubt had heard about the experience. Interestingly, Isaac had undoubtedly heard the same story from his parents, so why the ruse? Why would Isaac try the same charade that his father tried nearly a century earlier? Did he fear that he would really lose his life? Apparently, he did, perhaps he thought since the subterfuge worked for his father, knowing that both he and his mother came out alive, it would work for him. Even after being told directly by God, “I will be with you and will bless you,” Isaac resorted to human reasoning.
The text does not say how long they had been in Gerar, just that they had been there a long time. Knowing that optical technology was not available at the time, we can only assume that Isaac’s tent must have been very close to Abimelech’s palace or dwelling, which was probably located at some strategic high point in that community. In the ESV, it notes that Abimelech noticed Isaac laughing. The Hebrew word ‘meṣǎ·ḥēq’,[5] which does indeed refer to laughter or an expression of joy, it can, however, as some scholars point out, also include sexual or licentious overtones[6]. The word in this verse is translated “sporting” in the KJV; “showing endearment” in the NKJV; and “caressing” in the NASB, NIV, NLT, CSB, and GW Bible versions. Seeing this, Abimelech realized that Rebekah was not his sister and summoned Isaac. When he arrived, Abimelech rebuked Isaac, who admitted that he feared for his life. Remembering how God intervened years earlier, Abimelech realized that he and all his fellow Philistines could have been and may still be in danger, being guilty before God. Abimelech immediately sent out an edict that prohibited anyone to touch Rebekah.
Some believe that due to the absence of any mention about Jacob or Esau, that they may have remained back in Beer-lahai-roi. Some also point out that by having two adult sons travel with them would have made it difficult to convince the Philistines that Isaac and Rebekah were just brother and sister. These are good and valid points, however that does not necessarily mean they were not there.
26:12 And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. 14 He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. 15 (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.) 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
Isaac remained in Gerar and started to plant crops, to say he prospered greatly from God’s blessing would be an understatement. He became rich and continued to gain more, until he was very wealthy. He had it all, many possessions of flocks and herds and many servants. Now, if you were his neighbor and saw that in one year, he reaped a hundred times what you reaped, what would you think or do? This is the first appearance of the Hebrew word ‘yeqǎn·û’,[7] a verb meaning being jealous, envious, or zealous (root is ‘qānā’). These Philistines may have heard about the God of Abraham and Isaac, but they would have never seen the extent of the abundance a blessing from God could be. It is also interesting to note that this is the first time we read about “sowing seed” in the Bible. This should remind us of the parable Jesus taught in Matthew 13:1-8 and 18-23, where He compared evangelistic witnessing to sowing seed. He concluded the parable with, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23) Note the similarity, in the parable Jesus also tells us that it is essential for all believers to hear God’s Word and to understand it.
The Philistines were so envious of Isaac, they didn’t know what to do. History is full of stories of action taken due to jealousy and envy, it seems sad that people more often sink into jealousy instead of celebrating or recognizing the prosperity of another. Here, they decide to plug all the wells that Abraham had dug many years earlier, to force Isaac out of their region. Even Abimelech, seeing how prosperous Isaac had become, asked Isaac to move on, concerned that his people would soon be a minority in their own nation.
26:17 So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”
Instead of resisting the request for him and his family to leave, Isaac moved east up the valley of Gerar, He reopened some of the wells that his father had dug that were plugged after Abraham had died. But shortly after reopening the well, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s people over water rights. Apparently, it was an artesian well, one that naturally flowed. This is the first appearance of the Hebrew word ‘yā·rî’·ḇǔ’,[8] meaning to contend, to dispute, or to conduct a lawsuit, a serious accusation. So, Isaac agrees to leave, calling the well, ‘Esek’,[9] a word essentially meaning “to contend.” He moves on to another location where he once again meets opposition, this time he named the well, ‘Sitnah’,[10] a word used to describe hostility and opposition. Again, moving on, Isaac digs another well and since no one came to quarrel or dispute the use of the water, he names the well, ‘Rehoboth’,[11] referring to the wide area of land made available to him by God, for them to be fruitful. For some reason, not explained in the text, Isaac continued to travel east.
26:23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Isaac came into the area where Abraham had many years earlier planted a tamarisk tree after he made a covenant with a previous Abimelech (see Genesis 21:32-34). As previously mentioned, we are not told why Isaac went on to Beersheba. Some believe he was guided or directed there by God, which was not recorded. While others believe that since he had a series of bitter and unpleasant experiences with the Philistines, he simply desired God’s fellowship. In either case, God came to him there at Beersheba. God reassured Isaac that He was indeed with him and will continue to bless him, just as He promised. In response, Isaac built an altar of his own, the only one that is recorded to have been built by him. Isaac stayed at Beersheba and had his servants dig a well there.
26:26 When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army, 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We see plainly that the LORD has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.” 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths. And Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. 32 That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 He called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.
While the new well was being dug, Abimelech, along with an advisor and his military commander, approaches Isaac in Beersheba. Isaac asks why they came all this way to see him, since Abimelech was the one that asked him to leave. Apparently, they realized that Isaac represented the true God and that by chasing him out may have put themselves at risk. Using the proper name of God, they say they have observed that He is truly with them and that they have not harmed them in any way, sending them off in peace. Therefore, they extended an invitation to create a pact of peace between them, a mutual non-aggression covenant. Isaac agreed and that night they celebrated with a feast. In the morning they exchanged oaths that sealed the covenant.
Undoubtedly pleased with the peace treaty, Isaac sent the delegation on their way in peace and soon heard some additional good news, his servants had found water. Isaac then called the well ‘Shibah,’ a proper name that sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘oath’ (‘šaba’).[12] The author adds a comment that the location where all this took place retained the same name of Beersheba, even to the day this passage was written.
26:34 When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, 35 and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
If Esau was forty years old, that would make Isaac 100 years old at this time. This brief insert at the end of this chapter introduces us to the potential problem of marriage to people that do not have the same beliefs (although we already know that Esau had little to no interest in serving God). While these two verses may belong better associated to the text in the next chapter, it does serve to remind us of Esau’s true anti-God character and how quickly mixed marriages can directly affect one’s spiritual outlook.
Considerations
In Genesis 21:31 it is recorded that the city was given the name of Beersheba (“the well of the seven”) and here in this chapter it states that Isaac gave it this name. So, who named the city? Isaac would have been familiar with his father’s experiences at this location and would have also known the name he gave it. Having experienced a very similar encounter with God, Isaac, in honor of his father, may have been moved to follow in his father’s footsteps by building an altar and rededicating the city with the same name. It also appears that the name “Beersheba” may also be interpreted as a “play on words,” with the last word meaning ‘seven’ (Hebrew word ‘šeba’ or ‘sheba’)[13] or ‘oath’ (Hebrew word ‘šaba’, see above). Some translators take the middle ground and use the phrase, “the well of the seven oaths.”
Use of Names Before a Name is Given
On occasion the Bible will refer to a people group in a region before they arrived in that region and on some occasions the Bible will also refer to a city (or region) by a name before the name was officially given that name. Before anyone gets upset with that concept, ask yourself what would you call something before it had the name you knew it by? In the Bible, something is typically referred to by the name that it was known by the author (or by the audience). For example: in Genesis 21:14 we read that Hagar was in the wilderness of Beersheba before it was later named Beersheba. Since Moses wrote the book of Genesis well over 600 years after Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, names could have changed several times.
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[1] Strong’s Hebrew 4931.
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 4687.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 2708.
[4] Strong’s Hebrew 8451.
[5] Strong’s Hebrew 6711.
[6] Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 946). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
[7] Strong’s Hebrew 7065.
[8] Strong’s Hebrew 7378.
[9] ‘Ē’·śěq’, Strong’s Hebrew 6230.
[10] ‘Śiṭ·nā(h)’, Strong’s Hebrew 7856.
[11] Reḥō·ḇǒṯ’, Strong’s Hebrew 7344.
[12] Strong’s Hebrew 7650.
[13] Strong’s Hebrew 7651.