Genesis 26

Abimelech; as appears from the story of David: who fled to one of that name called Achish in 1 Sam. xxi. 10. but Abimelech in the title of the xxxivth Psalm. (See Gen. xx. 2.)

Genesis 26:1

JjlN.D there was a famine in the land, &c. Such a scarcity of provisions, as was in Abraham’s days, (xii.10.) when he was newly come into Canaan, happened again in the days of Isaac. And Isaac went. ~] It is not said from whence he went: but it is probable, after the death of Abraham, he went and dwelt where his father had often done, at Mamrc, near Hebron. For he was not now at Bccr-sheba, or the well Lahairoi, (which was the last place of his habitation that we read of,xxv. 11.) for that was in this vpry country of Gerar, to which he now went. Unto Abimdech.] The son, it is most likely, of him to whom Abraham went: forhe is not to be thought the same; it being a hundred years since that time. And all the kings of that country were, for many ages, called by the name of

Genesis 26:2

And (or, for) the Lord appeared to him. He intended to have gone into Egypt, as Abraham his father had done in the like case, (xiL 10.) But God forbade him (appearing to him either in a vision, or a dream, or as the glory of the Lord appeared afterward to Moses and the congregation of Israel upon several occasions), and directed him to stay in this country, which was in the way to Egypt: where he promises to provide for him. Though Egypt was a most plentiful country; yet the king of it, at this time, was not so good a man, perhaps, as him that reigned in the days of Abraham.

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, &c;. He not only promises to take care of him at present, during the famine; but renews the promises made to Abraham his father at sundry times, and in divers places, (xii. 3. xv. 5. xvii. 2. 8.) and at last confirmed by an oath, (xxii. 1G, 17.) I will be with thee, and bless thee.] These, and such-liko words, Maimonides shews express a special providence over those to whom they are spoken, and over all belonging to them. (More Nevoch. par. iii. cap. 18.) Unto thy seed will I give all these countries.] Which he repeats again in the next verse; having mentioned the vast multiplication of his seed. Yer. 4. In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.] In this is contained the promise of the Messiah, the highest blessing God could bestow: which he assured Abraham should spring out of his family, (xxii. 18.) and now assures the same to Isaac.

Genesis 26:5

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice. In going out of his own country, when God called him; in circumcising himself and his family; but especially (xxii. 18.) in offering his son -Isaac. And kept my charge.] i c. Observed the sabbath-day, says Manesseh Ben-Israel, out of the Hebrew doctors: (L. de Croat. Problemaviii.) But it seems more rational to understand by this word which we translate charge, all that he commanded him to observe: the particulars of which follow. My commandments, my statutes, andmy laws.] These are nicely distinguished by some of the Jews; especially Abarbincl: who, by commandments, understands not only that of circumcision, but of expelling Ishmael: and by statutes (Hebr. chukkothai, which always relates to ceremonial things), not only binding his son Isaac to offer him in sacrifice, but his offering a ram afterwards in his stead: and by laws (which include the judicial part of Moses’s writings), his taking a wife for Isaac out of another country; and bestowing gifts upon the children of his concubines, reserving tho land for Isaac. But this may seem too curious: and so many words may be thought rather to be used, only to express his exact obedience to God in everything, whether belonging to religion, or to justice, mercy, or any other duty. According to what he required of him, (xvii. 1.) <c Walk before me, and be thou perfect."

Genesis 26:6

And Isaac dwelt in Gerar. This is a fresh instance of his constant obedience; in trusting to God’s providence here, and not going down into Egypt as he was inclined.

Genesis 26:7

She is my sister. Or, cousin; for so she was. He told part of the truth, but not aj(. For he feared to say, &c] He imitated his father; as children are apt to do.

Genesis 26:8

Sporting with Rebekah his wife. Using such familiarity with her, and blandishments, as were not allowablp between brethren and sisters, but common between man and wife, even openly. As embracing her in his arms, and kissing her, perhaps, very often: he having an exceeding great love to her, (xxiv. G7.)

Genesis 26:9

Of a surety she is thy wife. It seems he took Isaac to be so good a man, that he looked upon the liberties he took with Rebekah, as tokens of conjugal love, not of incestuous desires.

Genesis 26:10

Brought guiltiness upon us. It is likely the punishment inflicted upon his father and family, (xx. 17.) only for taking Sarah into his house, with an. intention to make her his wife, was yet in memory among them.

Genesis 26:11

He that toncheth this man or his wife, &c. This looks like a modest word, as it is used, xx. G. and 1 Cor. vii. 1. But tho Chaldee paraphrast and the Hebrew doctors interprct.it of not doing them any injury: because he speaks of the man, as well as his wife, and so it is explained, ver. 29.

Genesis 26:12

Then Isaac sowed in that land. Most take this to have been in the time of famine: which makes it the greater wonder, that the ground should then bring forth so plentifully. But it seems more likely to me, that the dearth was at an end: for it is said (ver. 8.) that he bad been in that country * a long time/* when Abimelech saw him sporting with his wife. A hundred-fold.] This, in itself, is not wonderful; though, at this time, it was a singular blessing of God, after there had been some time ago a dearth; and, perhaps, the soil not rich, which afforded so large a crop. Otherwise, Varro says (lib. i. de Be Rustica, cap. 44.) that in Syria, about Gadcra, and in Africa, about Byzacium, they reaped a hundred bushels for one (ex modio nasci centum); Pliny and Solinus say the same of that country Byzacium: insomuch that Bochartus fancies the metropolis of that rich country, viz. Adrumetum, had its name from hence; signifying in the Phoenician language as much as, the region of a hundredfold: (lib. i. Canaan, cap. 24.) Nay, some places in Africa were so rich that they produced two hundred, yea three hnndred-Md, as he shews out of several good authors in the twenty-fifth chapter of that book. Whence he thinks Africa had its name; being as much as EvaraxvQ Th terra spicarum, a land of ears of corn. All which I have noted, that this passage may not seem incredible to any reader. AndHhe Lord blessed him.] Or, for the Lord blessed him. This is the reason of the fruitfulness of that soil; which naturally would not have yielded so much.

Genesis 26:13

And the man waxed great, &c. I suppose he had many such fruitful years; so that his riches increased till he grew very great, and bought more cattle than he had before. For in them consisted the ancient riches, as Servius tells us on the first of Virgil’s Eclogues,, “Omncpatrimonium apud majorcs peculium dicebatur, a pecoribus; in quibus univcrsa eorum substantia constabat Undc etiam pecunia dicta fuit, a pcculio.” The same also we find said by Columella. chap, xxvi.j UPON GENESIS,

Genesis 26:14

Great store of servants. The margin hath, store of husbandry. Which is very likely; because he was encouraged in it, by his great crops: which eould not likewise but increase the number of his servants. The Arabic set forth by Erpenius hath only, a great revenue; or vast increase: which, among theeastern people, as I said, was principally from their cattle. But God blessed him with abundance of corn also. •

Genesis 26:16

Thou art much mightier than we. As the people envied him, (ver. 14.) so the king himself, it seems, began to fear him: and therefore desired him, in a friendly manner, to leave his country. For they were not yet grown so wicked, as to attempt to destroy those who lived quietly among them; when they apprehended they would become richer and stronger than themselves.

Genesis 26:17

The valley of Gerar. Where* that was is uncertain; but at some distance from the city where Abimelech dwelt, and near to which Isaac had inhabited before.*

Genesis 26:18

Which they had digged in the days of Abraham. He chose to open the old ones, rather than dig new; both because he was certain there to find a spring of water, and because it was most easy, and less obnoxious to censure or envy:, and because he would preserve his father’s memory; for which reason he did not give them new names,.but those they had in his father’s days.

Genesis 26:19

They digged in the valley, &c.l In process of time, they found a necessity of more water; and so digged till they met with a new spring, in the valley.

Genesis 26:20

The water is ours. Because it was found in their soil, as Menochius observes. But they having let the ground to Isaac, the water was truly his, as long as the contract lasted.; -,

Genesis 26:21

And they digged another well. I suppose, in the same valley: for, rather than contend, he receded from his right in the other well.

Genesis 26:22

He removed from thence. To avoid strife, he quitted that part of the country, and went to another: where he was not disturbed in his pasturage. For now the Lord hath made room for us.] He was straitened before, for want of sufficient w r ater for his flock; which now he enjoyed in abundance. And we shall be fruitful in the land.] Increase more than formerly: now that they could water their flocks quietly and plentifully.. •

Genesis 26:23

Went up from thence to Beer-sheba. Where he and his father had anciently lived, (xxi. 33. xxv. 11.)

Genesis 26:24

And the Lord appeared unto him the same night J. As he had done before he came to Gerar, (ver. 2.) I am the God of Abraham.] Who was so kind to him, and made a covenant with him. I am with thee.’] My special providence is over thee; as was explained before, (ver. 3.)

Genesis 26:25

Built an altar there. To offer sacrifice unto the Lord. Called upon the name of the Lord.] As Abraham had done before him, in this very place, (xxi. 33.) And pitched his tent there.] Resolved to settle in this place.

Genesis 26:26

Phicol, &c. The same name and the same office that he had, who is mentioned xxi. 22. but he was not the same man no more than Abimelech the same king. It is probable this was a name of some dignity among them; like that’of Tribunus or Dictator “among the Romans; which passed from one to another.

Genesis 26:28

We saw certainly the Lord was with thee, &e. We have observed such a special providence over thee, that we come to establish a perpetual friendship with thee, by a solemn oath, if thou wilt consent ]to our desire. They were afraid, it seems, lest, being"dis6bliged by their sending him out of their country, he should fall upon them one time or other; being mightier than they, as they acknowledged, (ver. 18.)

Genesis 26:29

Have sent thee away in peace. They remember him how they dismissed him peaceably; and did not ^0 about to seize upon his estate, while he lived among them: which they make an argument, why he should contract a nearer friendship with such civil people. Then art now blessed of the Lord.] This looks like a high compliment, or flattering expression.

Genesis 26:30

He made them a feast, &c. So covenants were made, by eating and drinking together.

Genesis 26:32

Told him concerning the well they had digged, &c. They had begun to dig before Abraham and Phicol came, (ver. 25.) and now they came at a spring of water.

Genesis 26:33

He called it Sheba. From the oath which was lately made between him and Abimelech. It had been called so before by Abraham, (xxi. 31.) but that name, perhaps, was forgotten, and so he revived it, as he had done others, (ver. 18.)

Genesis 26:34

The daughter ofBeeri the Hittite, &c. Josephus saith, these two men, Berri and Elon, whose daughters Esau married, were Dynastce, powerful men among the Hittites: which is not improbable. But his father sure had given the same charge to him, that Abraham had done concerning his own marriage, (xxiv. 3.) and then it was a very undutiful, nay, an impious action, to marry with those people, who were under the curse of God. The Scripture might well call him profane; who seems not to have regarded either the curse or the blessing of the Almighty.

Genesis 26:35

A grief of mind. His very marrying with them sorely afflicted his father and mother. Or, as others interpret it, their idolatry and bad manners extremely grieved them.