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May 12, 2004 · Isaac was rather threatening personally not only because of his prosperity and power but also because of his father Abraham: Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth (Genesis 26:15).
- What The Story Means to Us Today
- Additional Thoughts and Considerations
- The Science and History Behind The Story
- Notes on Biblical Translation
- Bible Text
Follow God’s lead and you will be rewarded
Jealousy and envy are common human emotions that typically derive from feelings of inferiority. However, dominating the natives of the land did not seem to be Isaac’s motive and thus, the Philistine’s envy towards Isaac was unfounded. Isaac simply followed God’s lead, acted as he knew God desired, and reaped the rewards for this faithfulness. The same applies to us today. Follow God’s lead and you will be rewarded.
Similarities in Abimelech’s relationship with Abraham and Isaac
Abimelech (the king of the Philistines) had a favorable prior relationship with Isaac’s father, Abraham. Abraham had also accumulated much wealth and power and Abimelech recognized God was with Abraham in everything he did, likely because of Abraham’s demonstrated peacefulness and fortunate prosperity. Contrary to how Abimelech initially reacted to Isaac’s good fortune, Abimelech struck a respectful agreement with Abrahamwith the promise to be truthful and deal with each other in good faith....
God’s divine appearances confirm the Abrahamic covenant
God had also appeared to Abraham near Beersheba where Abraham built an altarto commemorate the event. God’s appearance to Isaac in a similar manner continues God’s pattern of divine appearance in order to confirm the covenant he made with Abraham.
The renaming of Abraham’s wells
It is interesting to note that the Bible specifically mentions Isaac assigning the same name to the wells as his father. It is possible that this was a “renaming” of the family-owned wells. It is likely that the Philistines had renamed Abraham’s wells, obliterating the traces of their origin out of spite. Isaac’s naming of the wells restored their heritage by giving them the same name as Abraham had called them before.
The Valley of Gerar
The Valley of Gerar was a dry river bed (a “wadi”) which contained flowing water during the rainy season but was dry at other times. Its location was likely a superior source of water given the natural water table under the floor of the valley.
Shepherds in modern-day Middle East
Modern-day shepherds in the Middle East can face obstacles similar to the ones that Isaac faced. Modern-day herders in Syriatypically rent land for their herds and live in the location for a year or two while “grazing their stock”. If the land proves profitable, landlords may refuse to renew the lease for the herder, opting to keep the prosperous land for their own use. This forces the shepherd to move on in search of the proverbial “greener pastures”. Water disputes in the Middle East still...
The three wells – Esek, Sitnah, and Rehoboth
The location of the Esek well is still unknown. The Sitnah well could be located in Wadi Shutein or in the modern-day Shutneh valley (near the Valley of Gerar). Ruins have been found in the area, on the northern hills between Ruhaibeh and Hkulasa. The Rehoboth well is likely in the Wadi Ruhaibeh, about three hours south of Elusa and twenty miles southwest of Beersheba where two roads from Gaza and Hebronintersect. Extensive ruins have been found in the area, including ancient wells. A modern...
Philistine jealousy more intense than it appears
The Hebrew verb translated as “became jealous” refers to an intense jealousy, one that is so strong it will likely lead to hostile actions. It describes a much more passionate form of jealousy than we would recognize today.
The battle over the wells
The quarrels that are described in the Bible likely give the impression of herders arguing amongst themselves in the fields. This is not quite an accurate assessment of the situation. The Hebrew word used to describe the quarrel between Isaac and the Gerar herders typically describes a conflict that leads to, or has already resulted in legal actions.
NIV
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.
The Message
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.
The NET Bible
Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. Print.
Jul 20, 2023 · He noticed his father had not brought a lamb to sacrifice, and accepted his father’s answer, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son’” (Genesis 22:8). Isaac allowed his father to subsequently bind him, place him on the altar, and even raise the knife.
Jacob is using this phrase when talking to Laban while his father, Isaac is still alive, but after the death of Abraham. According to Rashi, and the Fear of Isaac: He did not wish to say, “the God of Isaac,” because the Holy One, blessed be He, does not associate His name with the righteous while they are alive. Although He said to him upon ...
Genesis 27:33. Isaac trembled very exceedingly — Being perplexed and astonished to consider herein God’s overruling providences, and how strangely his purpose of giving the blessing to Esau had been disappointed.
Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?”They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you.
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He was the son of Abraham and Sarah, husband of Rebecca, and father of Esau and Jacob, and is famous for his central role in the Binding of Isaac, when he was almost offered up as a sacrifice to G‑d. Curious to know more? Read these 17 facts about Isaac. 1. His Story Is Told in the Book of Genesis.
