Genesis 26:19 kjv

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

Genesis 26:19 nkjv

Also Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there.

Genesis 26:19 niv

Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there.

Genesis 26:19 esv

But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water,

Genesis 26:19 nlt

Isaac's servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water.

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 19 Meaning

Genesis 26:19 describes Isaac's servants digging in a wadi or dry riverbed and successfully finding a well that yields "living," or springing, water. This verse signifies God's divine provision and blessing upon Isaac, allowing him to thrive and access a vital resource in an arid land despite earlier conflicts over water and the general scarcity in the region. It highlights the successful outcome of their diligent labor and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Genesis 26 19 Context

This verse is situated within a narrative detailing Isaac's journey through Gerar, a region prone to famine (Gen 26:1), and his interactions with the local Philistines. Due to famine, Isaac had journeyed to Gerar, where God reaffirmed His covenant promises to him (Gen 26:3-4). As Isaac prospered (Gen 26:12-14), the Philistines envied him, forcing him to move by filling up the wells his father Abraham had dug (Gen 26:15). Isaac then moved away, first reopening his father's wells, often contending with the Philistines over them (Gen 26:18-22), and then moving further to find new sources. This specific verse (Gen 26:19) marks a pivotal moment where, having left the immediate vicinity of past conflict and dug elsewhere "in the valley," his servants find a plentiful, natural supply of fresh water. This highlights Isaac's peaceful and persevering character, his dependence on God, and God's consistent blessing in providing essential resources for His people amidst opposition and hardship.

Genesis 26 19 Word analysis

• And Isaac's servants

  • Isaac's: Hebrew, Yiṣḥāq (יִצְחָק). "He laughs." His name often links to joy and God's surprising provision. The action is by his delegated authority, highlighting his prosperity in having servants and his strategic foresight in deploying them for water.
  • servants: Hebrew, ʿaḇdə (עַבְדֵי). Plural of ʿeḇed (עֶבֶד), servant, slave. This indicates Isaac's significant household and resources. The actual physical labor was done by his staff, not Isaac directly, underscoring his managerial role and his ability to conduct large-scale operations crucial for sustenance in an arid land.

• dug

  • Hebrew, vayyaḥperu (וַיַּחְפְּרוּ). From the root chapar (חָפַר), "to dig, search." It denotes an active, deliberate, and labor-intensive effort. This wasn't a discovery of surface water but involved significant excavation. It contrasts with waiting for rain or relying on known sources, showing initiative and perseverance.

• in the valley

  • Hebrew, bannāḥal (בַּנָּחַל). From naḥal (נַחַל), which typically means a "wadi" or "torrent-bed," a ravine that may contain water during rainy seasons but is often dry. Digging in a wadi suggests an understanding of the geography where underground water might be found or where seasonal streams provide moisture. It indicates a strategic location for finding water, albeit one that still requires deep digging to reach the water table.

• and found there

  • found: Hebrew, vayyimṣəʾū (וַיִּמְצְאוּ). From māṣāʾ (מָצָא), "to find, attain." This term often implies a successful search, discovery, or divine enabling in an endeavor. It's not just a lucky chance but the fruit of labor, coupled with God's guidance or blessing.
  • there: Hebrew, šām (שָׁם). Specifies the location in the wadi, making the discovery concrete and tied to their chosen place of digging.

• a well of springing water.

  • a well: Hebrew, bəʾēr (בְּאֵר). This word specifically denotes a dug well, distinct from a natural spring or a cistern. It implies significant effort in its creation and suggests a reliable, maintained water source.
  • of springing water: Hebrew, mayim chayyīm (מַיִם חַיִּים). Literally "living water." This is a crucial phrase. It refers to fresh, running, naturally flowing water from a spring, not stagnant water collected in a cistern or ephemeral rain pools. Such water is pure, continuous, and highly prized in the dry regions of the Middle East, symbolizing life, refreshment, and divine blessing throughout the Bible. Its spiritual significance later refers to salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christ Himself (Jn 4, 7; Rev 21, 22).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "dug in the valley and found": This phrase emphasizes the combination of diligent human effort ("dug") and the providential outcome ("found"). The choice of a "valley" or wadi demonstrates an astute understanding of where water might collect beneath the surface, yet the ultimate discovery of a reliable source still suggests divine blessing accompanying their work.
  • "well of springing water": The phrase signifies a superior discovery. It's not just any water, but fresh, flowing, life-sustaining water. This highlights the richness of God's provision for Isaac, ensuring his continued prosperity and the sustenance of his large household and flocks, thereby confirming God's covenant with him in a tangible way. This particular type of well was very valuable, as its continuous flow guaranteed a consistent and pure supply, minimizing effort for retrieval compared to static water.

Genesis 26 19 Bonus section

The repeated narrative of well-digging and conflict (or lack thereof) for Isaac is distinct from Abraham's interactions. Isaac consistently seeks peace and avoids direct confrontation, even to the point of yielding and moving on from established water sources (Gen 26:20-22). The finding of this particular well with "living water" serves as a divine validation of Isaac's patient and peaceable approach, showing that God's blessing follows those who are "peacemakers" (Matt 5:9) and those who endure. It underscores the biblical principle that true abundance and life come from God's provision, not human strife. This sequence highlights the practical challenges of nomadic life and the paramount importance of water rights in the ancient Near East, portraying it as a literal and spiritual battleground where God ultimately provides.

Genesis 26 19 Commentary

Genesis 26:19 encapsulates Isaac's quiet perseverance and God's unfailing faithfulness amidst scarcity and opposition. Faced with famine and envious Philistines who spitefully filled his father's wells, Isaac chose a path of peaceful diligence rather than aggressive confrontation. He re-dug old wells and then sought new sites. The discovery of a "well of springing water" is the climax of this part of the narrative. This isn't just about water; it's a profound declaration of God's presence and blessing.

"Springing water" (mayim chayyīm) is intrinsically linked to life, purity, and a constant, divinely-provided source. Spiritually, it prefigures the ultimate "living water" offered by Christ (Jn 4:10, 7:37), symbolizing the Holy Spirit, salvation, and eternal life that flows from God to all who seek Him. Isaac's persistence in digging, even after past wells were contested, is a testament to his faith and a model of patiently seeking God's provision in dry seasons of life. This verse assures us that diligent effort, especially when pursued in line with God's will, is met with His bountiful, life-giving supply, even in challenging environments.