King James Version

What Does Genesis 26:22 Mean?

Genesis 26:22 in the King James Version says “And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 26:22 · KJV

Context

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

23

And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

24

And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

Read Genesis 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּעְתֵּ֣ק1 of 19

“And he removed”

H6275

to remove (intransitive or transitive) figuratively, to grow old; specifically, to transcribe

מִשָּׁ֗ם2 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וַיַּחְפֹּר֙3 of 19

“from thence and digged”

H2658

properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore

בְּאֵ֣ר4 of 19

“well”

H875

a pit; especially a well

אַחֶ֔רֶת5 of 19

“another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וְלֹ֥א6 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רָב֖וּ7 of 19

“and for that they strove”

H7378

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

עָלֶ֑יהָ8 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיִּקְרָ֤א9 of 19

“not and he called”

H7121

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

שְׁמָהּ֙10 of 19

“the name of it”

H8034

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

רְחֹב֔וֹת11 of 19

“Rehoboth”

H7344

rechoboth, a place in assyria and one in palestine

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר12 of 19

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּֽי13 of 19
H3588

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

עַתָּ֞ה14 of 19

“For now”

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִרְחִ֧יב15 of 19

“hath made room”

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

יְהוָ֛ה16 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָ֖נוּ17 of 19
H0
וּפָרִ֥ינוּ18 of 19

“for us and we shall be fruitful”

H6509

to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)

בָאָֽרֶץ׃19 of 19

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 26:22 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 26:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 17:6Exodus 1:7Psalms 118:5Genesis 28:3Genesis 41:52Psalms 18:19

Places in This Verse

Rehoboth 1Well · Modern: Ruheibeh · 31.03°N, 34.57°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 26 →

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