King James Version

What Does Genesis 26:20 Mean?

Genesis 26:20 in the King James Version says “And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. Esek: that is, Contention”

Genesis 26:20 · KJV

Context

18

And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

19

And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. springing: Heb. living

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. Esek: that is, Contention

21

And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah. Sitnah: that is, Hatred

22

And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. Rehoboth: that is Room

Read Genesis 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is our's: and he called ... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Abimelech shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּרִ֜יבוּ1 of 16

“did strive”

H7378

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

רֹעֵ֥י2 of 16

“And the herdmen”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

גְרָ֗ר3 of 16

“of Gerar”

H1642

gerar, a philistine city

עִם4 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

רֹעֵ֥י5 of 16

“And the herdmen”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

יִצְחָ֛ק6 of 16

“with Isaac's”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

לֵאמֹ֖ר7 of 16

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֣נוּ8 of 16
H0
הַמָּ֑יִם9 of 16

“The water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיִּקְרָ֤א10 of 16

“is ours and he called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שֵֽׁם11 of 16

“the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַבְּאֵר֙12 of 16

“of the well”

H875

a pit; especially a well

עֵ֔שֶׂק13 of 16

“Esek”

H6230

strife

כִּ֥י14 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִֽתְעַשְּׂק֖וּ15 of 16

“because they strove”

H6229

to press upon, i.e., quarrel

עִמּֽוֹ׃16 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 26:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 26:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:25

Places in This Verse

EsekWell · Modern: between Gerar and Beersheba · 31.42°N, 34.61°E1 verse across 1 book
GerarSettlement · Modern: Tel Haror · 31.38°N, 34.61°E9 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 26 →

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