Genesis 26:19
Genesis 26:19 in Multiple Translations
Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there.
And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
Now Isaac's servants made holes in the valley, and came to a spring of flowing water.
Isaac's servants also dug a new well in the valley and found spring water.
Izhaks seruantes then digged in the valley, and found there a well of liuing water.
And Isaac's servants dig in the valley, and find there a well of living water,
Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of flowing water.
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
And they digged in the torrent, and found living water.
Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water.
One day, Isaac’s workers dug a new water-hole in the valley, and they found fresh running water in that hole.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 26:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 26:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֥וּ
עַבְדֵֽי
יִצְחָ֖ק
בַּ/נָּ֑חַל
וַ/יִּ֨מְצְאוּ
שָׁ֔ם
בְּאֵ֖ר
מַ֥יִם
חַיִּֽים
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֥וּ
châphar
H2658
to search
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
עַבְדֵֽי
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp
יִצְחָ֖ק
Yitschâq
H3327
Isaac
N-proper
בַּ/נָּ֑חַל
nachal
H5158
Brook
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יִּ֨מְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
בְּאֵ֖ר
bᵉʼêr
H875
well
N-fs
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
חַיִּֽים
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 26:19
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֥וּ
châphar
H2658
"to search"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word châphar means to search or dig, often used to describe seeking something deeply. In Psalm 139:1, David asks God to search him, knowing God already knows everything. It implies a thorough examination.
Definition: 1) to dig, search for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dig 1a2) to search, search out, explore
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: dig, paw, search out, seek. See also: Genesis 21:30; Deuteronomy 23:14; Psalms 7:16.
עַבְדֵֽי
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
יִצְחָ֖ק
Yitschâq
H3327
"Isaac"
N-proper
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19; son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283); half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259); father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) § Isaac = "he laughs" son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Isaac. Compare H3446 (יִשְׂחָק). See also: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 27:30; 2 Chronicles 30:6.
בַּ/נָּ֑חַל
nachal
H5158
"Brook"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
וַ/יִּ֨מְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
בְּאֵ֖ר
bᵉʼêr
H875
"well"
N-fs
A well or pit, like a water source, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a spring, and is often translated as a well or pit in the Bible.
Definition: well, pit, spring
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: pit, well. See also: Genesis 14:10; Genesis 29:3; Psalms 55:24.
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
חַיִּֽים
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
Study Notes — Genesis 26:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 26:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 26:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 26:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 26:19
- Sermons on Genesis 26:19
Context — Isaac’s Prosperity
17So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.
18Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died. And he gave these wells the same names his father had given them.
19Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there.
20But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 4:10–11 | Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? |
| 2 | John 7:38 | Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 4:15 | You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water flowing down from Lebanon. |
Genesis 26:19 Summary
In Genesis 26:19, Isaac's servants found a well of fresh water in the valley, which was a blessing from God. This well was important for Isaac's family and livestock, just like the wells that Abraham had dug before him (Genesis 21:25-30). Just as God provided physical water for Isaac, He also provides spiritual water for us through Jesus (John 4:14). We can trust God to provide for our needs, just like Isaac did, and be thankful for the 'wells' He has given us in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Isaac's servants dig in the valley?
Isaac's servants dug in the valley because they were looking for a source of fresh water, as instructed by Isaac, who was following in the footsteps of his father Abraham, who also dug wells in the area, as seen in Genesis 21:25-30 and Genesis 26:18.
What kind of water did they find?
The servants found a well of fresh water, which was a blessing from God, as water was essential for the survival of Isaac's family and livestock, just like it was for Abraham, as mentioned in Genesis 21:25-30.
Is this well significant in the larger story of the Bible?
Yes, this well is significant because it represents the provision of God for Isaac and his family, just as God provided for Abraham and his family, and it also foreshadows the spiritual water that Jesus would later offer, as seen in John 4:14.
How does this verse relate to Isaac's faith?
This verse shows Isaac's faith in action, as he trusted God to provide for his needs, just as his father Abraham did, and it demonstrates how God was faithful to Isaac, just as He was to Abraham, as promised in Genesis 17:1-8 and Genesis 26:3-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God provides for my needs, just like He provided water for Isaac?
- How can I, like Isaac, trust God to provide for me even when things seem uncertain or difficult?
- What are some 'wells' in my life that God has provided, and how can I be thankful for them?
- In what ways can I, like Isaac, be a blessing to others by sharing the 'water' that God has given me?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 26:19
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley,.... In the valley of Gerar, as the Septuagint version expresses it: and found there a well of springing water; or "living water" (l), which continually
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 26:19
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. A well of springing water , [ mayim (H4325) chayiym (H2416)] - living, bubbling, gushing water.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
Genesis 26:19 And Isaac’ s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.Ver. 19. A well of springing water.] Heb., Living; so called for their continual motion. Life consisteth in action: and the godly esteem of life, by that stirring they find in their souls. "O Lord," saith Hezekiah, "by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit". And thus, many a man lives more in a shorter, than others in a longer time. St Jerome tells of one, qui in brevi vitae spatio tempora virtutum multa replevit. As Seneca of another, qui non diu vixit, sed diu fuit: Non multum navigavit, sed multum iactatus est. Oh, live, live, live, saith a reverend man, quickly, much, long: else you are but hissed and kicked off this stage of the world, as Phocas was by Heraclius; nay, as many who were buried before half dead. Jerom. Epist. ad Fri.
Abner’ s Fun., by M. Harris.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
(18-22) Isaac digged again the wells . . . —This activity of Isaac called forth anew the opposition of the Philistines, His first well was in the wady of Gerar, and was the more valuable because it was not the mere remains of the water of the torrent, but was fed by a spring, as we learn from its being called “a well of living water.” But though Isaac had a right to these wells by reason of the old covenant between his father and the king, yet when his claim was resisted he abandoned the well, but in token of displeasure called it Esek, contention. When compelled to resign his next well he called it by a harsher name—Sitnah, enmity; for their opposition was developing into bitter persecution. And now, wearied with the strife, he withdrew far away, and the Philistines, having gained their end, followed him no farther. In quiet, therefore, he again dug a well, and called it Rehoboth, wide open spaces. It has been identified with one in the wady Ruhaibeh now stopped up, but originally twelve feet in diameter and cased with hewn stone. It lies to the south of Beer-sheba, at a distance of 8⅓ ? leagues, and about forty miles; away from Gerar.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 26:19
Verse 19. A well of springing water.] באר מים חיים beer mayim chaiyim, A well of living waters. This is the oriental phrase for a spring, and this is its meaning both in the Old and New Testaments: Leviticus 14:5, Leviticus 14:50; Leviticus 15:30; Numbers 19:17; Son 4:15. See also John 4:10-14; John 7:38; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1. And by these scriptures we find that an unfailing spring was an emblem of the graces and influences of the Spirit of God.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 26:19
19. 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.
Sermons on Genesis 26:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Getting Used to the Dark by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the world and warns about the subtle brainwashing that is leading towards a homogenized world church and state, preparin |
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(John - Part 20): The Woman at the Well - a Lesson Is Proper Testemony by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a woman who approached Jesus with a conscious sense of need. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus does not care about a person's p |
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Do You Know Him? by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker paints a vivid picture of a person who has been captured and enslaved by Roman soldiers during the time of the Roman emperors. The person is stripped, w |
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The Difference Between Chants and Music by Alan Ives | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving living water from the Lord. He refers to the story of Moses striking the rock and water flowing out to quench the |
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Grace Upon Grace by Thaddeus Barnum | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of sin and the need for a savior. He refers to a well-known verse in Romans chapter three, verse 23, which states that all have |
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Revival - Rivers of Living Water by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal story about a man who visited him in a hotel and expressed his inability to sleep due to a phone call. The preacher suggests that thi |
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Living Water for the Woman at the Well by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing gratitude for the presence of his wife. He then introduces the passage he will be reading from the New Testament, specifically the |