Chapter 26

26:1  And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

famine

(See Scofield "Genesis 12:10") .

26:2  And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Go not down

Cf. (See Scofield "Genesis 46:3") .

26:20  And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

name of the well

The wells of Genesis have significant names, and are associated with significant events:

(1) Beer-lahai-roi, the well of him that liveth and seeth me Genesis 16:14 ; 24:62 ; 25:11 .

(2) Beer-sheba, the well of the oath or covenant Genesis 21:15-33 ; Genesis 22:19 ; 26:23-25 ; 46:1-5 .

(3) Esek, contention Genesis 26:20 .

(4) Sitnah, hatred Genesis 26:21 . Esek and Sitnah were Isaac's own attempts at well-digging. Afterward, he dwelt by the old wells of his father.

(5) Rehoboth, enlargement Genesis 26:22 .