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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 26:15 So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/26-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_26_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 26:15 - Isaac's Prosperity" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/26-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/26-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/26-14.htm" title="Genesis 26:14">◄</a> Genesis 26:15 <a href="/genesis/26-16.htm" title="Genesis 26:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So all the wells that his father&#8217s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />(Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with dirt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father&#8217s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />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 dirt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Philistines stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, filling them with dirt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines stopped up all the wells that his father&#8217s slaves had dug in the days of his father Abraham, filling them with dirt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and they stopped up the wells that Abraham's servants had dug before his death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So the Philistines filled in all the wells that his father's servants had dug during his father Abraham's lifetime.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So they filled in all the wells which the servants of his father Abraham had dug while Abraham was alive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They filled in with sand all of the wells that Isaac's father Abraham's servants had dug during his lifetime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the Philistines took dirt and filled up all the wells that his father's servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and all the wells which his father’s servants dug in the days of his father Abraham, the Philistines have stopped them, and fill them with dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and all the wells which his father's servants digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines have stopped them, and fill them with dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the wells which his father's servants digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped them and filled them with dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Stopped up at that time all the wells, that the servants of his father Abraham had digged, filling them up with earth: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />so, at that time, they obstructed all the wells that the servants of his father Abraham had dug, filling them with soil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines had stopped up and filled with dirt all the wells that his father’s servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />(Now the Philistines had stopped up and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.)<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had polluted them and filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the wells the workers of his father had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines polluted and filled them with dirt.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And all the wells which the servants of his father had dug in the time of his father, the Phylistines stopped them, and filled them with earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/26-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6141" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">Isaac's Prosperity</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">So the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: way·mal·’ūm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dirt</a> <a href="/hebrew/5640.htm" title="5640: sit·tə·mūm (V-Piel-Perf-3cp:: 3mp) -- To stop up, shut up, keep close. Or satham; a primitive root; to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret.">and stopped up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/875.htm" title="875: hab·bə·’ê·rōṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A well, pit. From ba'ar; a pit; especially a well.">the wells</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/2658.htm" title="2658: ḥā·p̄ə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To dig, search for. A primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore.">had dug</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Abraham.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Depart from us, for you are much too powerful for us.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-25.htm">Genesis 21:25-31</a></span><br />But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized, / Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.” / So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-17.htm">Exodus 2:17</a></span><br />And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Numbers 20:19-21</a></span><br />“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.” / But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand. / So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-25.htm">2 Kings 3:25</a></span><br />They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-3.htm">2 Chronicles 32:3-4</a></span><br />he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. / Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7-8</a></span><br />When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, / and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-6.htm">Isaiah 15:6-7</a></span><br />The waters of Nimrim are dried up, and the grass is withered; the vegetation is gone, and the greenery is no more. / So they carry their wealth and belongings over the Brook of the Willows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-3.htm">Jeremiah 14:3</a></span><br />The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/35-19.htm">Jeremiah 35:19</a></span><br />this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Jonadab son of Rechab will never fail to have a man to stand before Me.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-6.htm">John 4:6-14</a></span><br />Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. / When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Matthew 10:14</a></span><br />And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-5.htm">Luke 9:5</a></span><br />If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-26.htm">Acts 7:26-27</a></span><br />The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’ / But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-50.htm">Acts 13:50-51</a></span><br />The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. / So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For all the wells which his father's servants had dig in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.</p><p class="hdg">his father's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Genesis 21:30</a></b></br> And he said, For <i>these</i> seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.</p><p class="hdg">had stopped.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/26-5.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/colossians/1-24.htm">Filling</a> <a href="/genesis/26-14.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/genesis/26-14.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-32.htm">Water-Holes</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">Wells</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/27-28.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/27-9.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/genesis/29-21.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-6.htm">Filling</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/genesis/26-19.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Water-Holes</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Wells</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-12.htm">He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">He digs wells.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-23.htm">God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Esau's wives.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells</b><br>The Philistines were a significant group in the ancient Near East, often in conflict with the Israelites. Wells were vital for survival in the arid regions of the Middle East, providing necessary water for people, livestock, and agriculture. By stopping up the wells, the Philistines were engaging in an act of hostility and economic warfare, aiming to drive Isaac away by cutting off his water supply. This action reflects the ongoing tension and territorial disputes between the Philistines and the descendants of Abraham. In a broader biblical context, wells often symbolize life and sustenance, and their obstruction can be seen as an attempt to thwart God's provision.<p><b>that his father’s servants had dug</b><br>The reference to Abraham's servants highlights the continuity of God's promises and blessings from one generation to the next. Abraham, as the patriarch, had established these wells as part of securing the land God promised to him and his descendants. The act of digging wells was labor-intensive and signified a claim to the land. The Philistines' actions can be seen as an attempt to erase Abraham's legacy and disrupt the inheritance of his descendants. This phrase underscores the importance of heritage and the challenges faced in maintaining God's promises amidst opposition.<p><b>in the days of his father Abraham.</b><br>This phrase situates the events within the historical context of Abraham's life, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the conflict over resources and territory. Abraham's time was marked by God's covenant promises, including the promise of land, descendants, and blessing. The mention of "the days of his father Abraham" serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant, despite human opposition. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's unfolding plan through the patriarchs, leading ultimately to the fulfillment of His promises in Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the ultimate heir of Abraham's covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a></b><br>The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is the central figure in this chapter. He is living in the land of the Philistines during a time of famine.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A group of people living in the region of Gerar. They are often in conflict with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Isaac's father, who had previously dug the wells that the Philistines filled. His legacy and covenant with God are central to the account.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wells.htm">Wells</a></b><br>These are significant as sources of water, a vital resource in the arid region. They symbolize sustenance, life, and God's provision.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a></b><br>The region where Isaac is dwelling, under the rule of King Abimelech. It is a place of both conflict and covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_inheritance.htm">Legacy and Inheritance</a></b><br>The actions of the Philistines in filling the wells remind us of the importance of preserving and valuing the spiritual and physical legacies left by our forebears.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/conflict_and_resolution.htm">Conflict and Resolution</a></b><br>Isaac's response to the Philistines' actions can teach us about handling conflict with grace and seeking peaceful resolutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a></b><br>Just as wells provided necessary water, God provides for our needs. Trust in His provision even when resources seem blocked or scarce.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_wells.htm">Spiritual Wells</a></b><br>Consider the "wells" in your life that may have been "filled" by the enemy. How can you reopen these sources of spiritual nourishment?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Isaac's persistence in reopening the wells demonstrates the importance of perseverance in faith and the pursuit of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_archaeological_record_of_isaac's_wells.htm">Genesis 26:18 mentions Isaac re-digging Abraham’s wells. Why is there no clear archaeological record of these wells or any direct mention outside the biblical text?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_mention_philistines_in_abraham's_time.htm">Why does the Bible describe the Philistines in Abraham's time when they only arrived in Canaan centuries later?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_abimelech_in_genesis_26_8_related.htm">How do we reconcile the figure called Abimelech here (Genesis 26:8) with the Abimelech who interacted with Abraham generations earlier?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_proof_of_micah_7_20's_promise.htm">Micah 7:20 reaffirms the covenant with the patriarchs--where is the clear historical or external documentation of this unbroken promise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">The wells.</span>--In the East the digger of a well is regarded as a public benefactor; but the Philistines stopped those that Abraham had digged, probably because they regarded his possession of them, though confirmed by the covenant between him and Abimelech (<a href="/genesis/21-32.htm" title="Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.">Genesis 21:32</a>), as an intrusion upon their rights as the people of the country, Envious, too, at the rapid increase of an alien's wealth, they determined to drive Isaac away; and for this no expedient would be more effectual than the preventing him from procuring water for his cattle. Following upon this came an express command of the king to depart, which Isaac obeyed; for he had sought refuge there because of the famine, and had no right to continue at Gerar, if the people refused their hospitality.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father</span> (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Genesis 21:30</a>), <span class="cmt_word">the philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.</span> This act, commonly regarded as legitimate in ancient warfare, was practically to Isaac an act of expulsion, it being impossible for flocks and herds to exist without access to water supplies. It was probably, as the text indicates, the outcome of envy, rather than inspired by fear that Isaac in digging and possessing wells was tacitly claiming the ownership of the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/26-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְמַלְא֖וּם</span> <span class="translit">(way·mal·’ūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dirt</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and stopped up</span><br /><span class="heb">סִתְּמ֣וּם</span> <span class="translit">(sit·tə·mūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5640.htm">Strong's 5640: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop up, to repair, to keep secret</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wells</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּאֵרֹ֗ת</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·’ê·rōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_875.htm">Strong's 875: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit, a well</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">servants</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·ḏê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had dug</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽפְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·p̄ə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2658.htm">Strong's 2658: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pry into, to delve, to explore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the days</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּימֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bî·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abraham.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/26-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 26:15 Now all the wells which his father's (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/26-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 26:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 26:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/26-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 26:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 26:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>