Genesis 26:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.”

NIV: That day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, 'We've found water!'

NASB: Now it came about on the same day, that Isaac’s servants came in and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, 'We have found water.'

CSB: On that same day Isaac's servants came to tell him about the well they had dug, saying to him, "We have found water! "

NLT: That very day Isaac’s servants came and told him about a new well they had dug. 'We’ve found water!' they exclaimed.

KJV: And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.

NKJV: It came to pass the same day that Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.”

Isaac is having a good day. He has just sent King Abimelech back to Gerar, having made a covenant of peace with the Philistines (Genesis 26:23–31). Now his servants arrive with news that they've found water in the new well they have been digging, likely the one mentioned in verse 25. Because of the peace treaty, this discovery of much-needed water should not result in another nasty dispute over water rights (Genesis 26:18–22). This is another sign of God's blessing on Isaac. Upcoming verses will echo the experiences of Isaac's father, Abraham, showing that God is keeping His promises.

Genesis 26:6–35 describes Isaac's interactions with the Philistines while living in and around the land of Gerar. After Isaac is caught in a lie about Rebekah being his sister, king Abimelech is angry. However, he protects Isaac and Rebekah. God blesses Isaac abundantly, and his wealth grows to the point where his power provokes the king to send him away. Following a series of disputes over water rights, the king and Isaac eventually make a treaty of peace. God appears to Isaac for a second time, telling him not to fear, and renewing His promises.

Genesis 26 focuses on God's assurances to Isaac to be with him and to bless him, mostly while Isaac and his household are settled in the land of the Philistines. Just as Abraham did, Isaac fearfully lies about his wife being his sister, nearly bringing disaster on Abimelech and his kingdom. Still, God blesses Isaac with greater and greater abundance to the point that Abimelech sends Isaac away because he has become too powerful. After continued disputes over water rights, Abimelech and Isaac eventually make a covenant of peace.

Genesis 26 seems to jump back in time to the season before Jacob and Esau were born, as described in the previous chapter. This is common in ancient literature. The Lord establishes and renews His covenant promises to Isaac, blessing him abundantly in the land of Philistines during a time of famine. Eventually, Abimelech sends Isaac away due to his growing power and disputes over water rights, but they end up forming a peace treaty. Esau's marriage to foreign women creates strife, adding more fuel to the controversy which is soon to occur. In the next chapter, Jacob will steal his older brother's rightful blessing.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/29/2024 7:49:33 AM