Genesis 26:1-33 (J). Isaac in the Land of the Philistines 1 6 (J and R). The covenant with Abraham renewed to Isaac. 7 11. Isaac and Rebekah at the court of Abimelech. 12 17. Isaac's prosperity. 18 22. Isaac's wells. 23 25. Isaac at Beer-sheba. 26 33. Abimelech's covenant with Isaac. 3... [ Continue Reading ]
_beside the first famine_ Referring to the famine mentioned in Genesis 12:10. This clause is probably added by the Compiler (R). _Abimelech king of the Philistines_ This can hardly be the Abimelech mentioned in Genesis 20:2. Possibly we ought to regard Abimelech as the dynastic name of the Philisti... [ Continue Reading ]
_appeared_ The promises here made to Isaac are, for the most part, reiterated from Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:5; Genesis 17:6-8; Genesis 22:15-18. _which I shall tell thee of_ Cf. the similar phrase in Genesis 12:1; Genesis 22:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_sojourn … land_ The temporary dwelling of one who as a stranger had none of the rights of a native inhabitant; so LXX παροίκει; Lat. _peregrinare_. See note on Genesis 23:4, and cf. Hebrews 11:9. _I will be with thee_ See Genesis 26:24; Genesis 21:20; Genesis 28:15. God's Presence is the pledge of... [ Continue Reading ]
_as the stars of heaven_ See note on Genesis 13:1-6; cf. Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17. _be blessed_ R.V. marg. rightly, _bless themselves_. See Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
_because that_, &c. The blessing of Isaac is here treated as the reward of the obedience of Abraham; the emphasis is laid on the unity and continuity of the Chosen Family. _my charge … my laws_ A strange redundancy of expression, reminding us of the style of Deut. The four words "charge," "commandm... [ Continue Reading ]
_my sister_ See Genesis 12:12-13; Genesis 20:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
(J). Isaac and Rebekah at the Court of Abimelech In this narrative Isaac from motives of fear tells the inhabitants of Gerar that Rebekah is his sister. The resemblance to the similar narratives in the story of Abraham (1) in Egypt, Genesis 12:13, (2) at Gerar, chap. 20, is obvious. The plea of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_at a window_ The account suggests that Isaac and Rebekah were in the courtyard overlooked by the king's residence. Cf. 2 Samuel 11:2. _sporting_ See Genesis 21:9 marg., "playing." The word in the original is the same as that from which the name "Isaac" was popularly derived; cf. Genesis 17:17; Gen... [ Continue Reading ]
_lightly_ Lit. "as a little": i.e. "it might easily have happened." See Genesis 12:18; Genesis 20:10. For "lien" = "lain," cf. Psalms 68:13 A.V. and P.B.V.). _guiltiness_ Heb. _âshâm_; LXX ἄγνοιαν; Lat. _grande peccatum_. In spite of ignorance, national guilt would be involved in such an outrage as... [ Continue Reading ]
(J). Isaac's Prosperity 12. _an hundredfold_ Lit. "a hundred measures." LXX ἑκατοστεύουσαν κριθήν = "barley bearing a hundredfold," mistaking the Hebrew word for "measure," and confusing it with that for "barley." So also the Syriac Pesh. "An hundredfold," i.e. one hundred for one. Isaac's agricul... [ Continue Reading ]
_and a great household_ i.e. a large number of slaves and attendants.... [ Continue Reading ]
_his father's servants_ Cf. Genesis 21:25. _had stopped them_ Wells were of priceless value to large owners of cattle and sheep. The "Philistines" adopted the most malignant method of spiting the Hebrews, and of rendering their continued sojourn in the land impossible. See 2 Kings 3:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go from us_ Abimelech recognized that, after such conduct on the part of his people, it would be best in the interests of peace that Isaac should withdraw. Isaac's attitude is one of concession and compliance towards the people among whom he sojourns. He is the type of the race that grows rich, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_the valley of Gerar_ The word "valley" (_naḥal_) represents the bed of a stream, often dry during summer. Here, possibly, it is the _Wady Jerâr_, into which several other _wadies_open.... [ Continue Reading ]
(J). Isaac's Wells 18. _in the days of Abraham_ Instead of "in the days," Sam., LXX, and Lat. read "the servants," i.e. "which the servants of Abraham his father had digged.... [ Continue Reading ]
_springing_ Heb. _living_. A well (_be"êr_) might contain either the water that came from a spring, as here; or water that was stored from rainfall. The word rendered "springing" appears as "running" in Leviticus 14:5 and as "living" in Jeremiah 2:13; cf. Zechariah 14:8; John 4:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Esek_ That is, _Contention_. LXX Ἀδικία; Lat. _Calumnia_. In this and the two following verses we have popular tradition as to the origin of the names of wells in the region associated with the sojournings of the patriarch.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sitnah_ That is, _Enmity_. This name is connected with the same root as the word _satan_, "adversary"; cf. Numbers 20:22; 1 Samuel 29:4. It has been doubtfully identified with a modern name, _Wady-Sutem_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rehoboth_ That is, _Broad places_, or, _Room_. LXX Εὐρυχωρία; Lat. _Latitudo_. This has been identified by modern travellers with a place called. _er-Ruḥaibeh_, 20 miles S. W. of Beer-sheba, where there is a well. _we shall be fruitful_ i.e. prosperous. Prosperity depended upon unhindered access t... [ Continue Reading ]
(J). Isaac at Beer-sheba 24. _the same night_ The manner of the appearance of Jehovah is not defined. Was it "in a vision" (Genesis 15:1), or "in a dream" (Genesis 20:3)? _fear not_ The words of encouragement are probably spoken in reference to the hostility Isaac had recently experienced, and to... [ Continue Reading ]
_builded … there_ As Abraham had done, Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:18. _called … Lord_ See notes on Genesis 4:26; Genesis 21:33. _digged a well_ According to Genesis 21:30 a well had already been digged by Abraham. The word in the Hebrew is not the same as that used in Genesis 26:22; see Genesis 50:5... [ Continue Reading ]
(J). Abimelech's Covenant with Isaac 26. _Then Abimelech_ The king of Gerar discerns that Isaac's prosperity can only be explained by the special blessing of Jehovah his God (Genesis 26:29). He deems it wise policy to make terms with so powerful a person. Abimelech is accompanied by his two officer... [ Continue Reading ]
_an oath_ A compact sealed by an oath. Cf. Deuteronomy 29:12; Nehemiah 10:29. _covenant_ See on this word (_b'rîth_) the note on Genesis 15:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
_as we have … but good_ This statement, scarcely veracious in view of Genesis 26:15_; Genesis 26:20_, is evidently made in the interests of policy. _the blessed of the Lord_ Cf. Genesis 26:12 and Genesis 24:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a feast_ A "feast" was partaken of by the two parties in a covenant. Cf. Genesis 31:54. Here it is an evening "drinking banquet" cf. Genesis 19:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_betimes_ More often rendered "early"; cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15. The etymology of the Old English word is "by time," i.e. "in good time." See Psalms 5:3 (P.B.V.). _sware_ Cf. on Genesis 21:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shibah_ This word, denoting "oath-taking" or "swearing," is here given as the explanation of the name "Beer-sheba." For another tradition as to the origin of the name, see Genesis 21:31. The narrative there is from E; the narrative here from J. _Shebûah_, of which _shib-ah_is a rare variety, is an... [ Continue Reading ]
(P). Esau's Hittite Wives 34. _forty years old_ The same age as Isaac, when he married Rebekah, Genesis 25:20. _Judith … Basemath … Hittite_ See Genesis 36:2-3. Judith and Basemath are here described as "Hittites," by which name were known, according to P, some of the principal inhabitants of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_a grief of mind_ Heb. _bitterness of spirit_. Cf. Genesis 27:46; Genesis 28:8. Isaac and Rebekah regarded a mixed marriage with the people of the land as a source of dishonour to the race; cf. Genesis 24:3. By "a grief of mind" we should understand soreness and disappointment; cf. Proverbs 14:10. T... [ Continue Reading ]