Bible Commentaries

Isaac at Gerar

Many of the notes on Genesis 20, 21 are applicable to this chapter It is thought probable that the present narrative is in the main a repetition from another source of events already recorded.

2. Go not down into Egypt] to get food as Abraham did. The covenant blessing is renewed and the possession of Canaan assured to Isaac. He is encouraged to stay in Canaan in dependence on God.

7. My sister] The expression might mean cousins.

12. An hundredfold] Though very large, such a crop is not unknown. Isaac's obedience in not going to Egypt had its reward.

15. It is said that Arabs still fill up the wells on pilgrimage roads, if they do not receive the toll they demand. The conduct of Abimelech's people was a violation of the agreement of Genesis 21:25-31. Geikie, in his 'Hours with the Bible,' gives some interesting information respecting wells in Palestine:—'The upper porous limestone of the central hills, and indeed of Palestine generally, allows the rain to a large extent to filter through it to an underlying sheet of hard limestone, which slopes towards the sea, forming a shelf on which the water flows in a subterranean stream below the whole coastplain from N. to S. Hence it is only necessary to sink a well to reach a copious supply of living water.'

20-22. Esek] 'contention.' Sitnah] 'Enmity.' Rehoboth] 'enlargement,' i.e. room to settle.

26-31. Isaac and Abimelech make a covenant to abstain mutually from aggressions.

30. See on Genesis 27:3.

33. Shebah] RV 'Shibah,' i.e. 'Oath,' in allusion to the covenant. See on Genesis 21:31.

34. Here we have another proof of Esau's indifference to the family traditions and covenant obligations. Both Abraham and Isaac strongly condemned marriage with the inhabitants of the land who were outside the covenant of promise: see Genesis 24:3; Genesis 28:1.