Genesis 26:21 kjv

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

Genesis 26:21 nkjv

Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah.

Genesis 26:21 niv

Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.

Genesis 26:21 esv

Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.

Genesis 26:21 nlt

Isaac's men then dug another well, but again there was a dispute over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (which means "hostility").

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 21 Meaning

Following the dispute over the first well, Esek, Isaac and his people again moved away. They dug yet another well, but this one also became a source of conflict and opposition from the local herdsmen. Due to this persistent and hostile contention, Isaac named this second disputed well "Sitnah," meaning "enmity" or "accusation," reflecting the bitter and adversarial nature of the relationship.

Genesis 26 21 Context

Genesis chapter 26 records Isaac's sojourn in Gerar during a famine, echoing aspects of Abraham's life. God reaffirms the Abrahamic covenant to Isaac, promising land, numerous descendants, and blessing. However, Isaac encounters significant hostility from the Philistines. Despite Abimelech's command for him to leave due to Isaac's prosperity, Isaac's herdsmen consistently face contention over wells of water—a vital resource in the arid region. The chapter shows a progression of conflict over these essential wells. The first disputed well, mentioned in verse 20, was named Esek ("Contention"). Verse 21 continues this narrative, describing the subsequent, equally contested well, Sitnah. This sequence underscores the persistent challenges Isaac faced in securing essential resources, the envy and aggression of the local inhabitants, and Isaac's own consistent approach of patiently yielding territory to avoid deeper conflict. Historically, disputes over land and water rights were common in the Ancient Near East, crucial for survival and establishing rightful territory. The Philistines' filling up of Abraham's wells (Gen 26:15) and their subsequent opposition to Isaac's new wells illustrate a direct, polemical challenge to the covenant blessings of prosperity and possession given to Isaac by God.

Genesis 26 21 Word analysis

• And they removed from thence: וַיַּעְתִּ֤יקוּ מִשָּׁם֙ (wayya‘tiqū miššām).
  • וַיַּעְתִּ֤יקוּ (wayya‘tiqū): "and they removed/pulled up stakes." This Hiphil form implies causing movement. It indicates a deliberate act of departure or shifting of position. Isaac's response to contention is not to fight for the previous well (Esek), but to continue withdrawing and seeking new, undisputed ground. This demonstrates a remarkably patient and peaceful spirit.
  • מִשָּׁם֙ (miššām): "from there/thence." Refers back to the location of the previous conflict over Esek.
• and digged another well: וַֽיַּחְפְּר֛וּ בְּאֵר֙ אַחֶרֶת֙ (wayyaḥpərū bəʾēr ʾaḥeret).
  • וַֽיַּחְפְּר֛וּ (wayyaḥpərū): "and they dug." The common Hebrew verb for digging. Reinforces the sustained effort required to secure water.
  • בְּאֵר֙ (bəʾēr): "a well." A vital source of life and sustenance in an arid land; possession of a well represented security and prosperity.
  • אַחֶרֶת֙ (ʾaḥeret): "another." Emphasizes that this is a different well, distinct from the previous one (Esek). Isaac persisted in his endeavors to find water, despite the earlier setbacks.
• and strove for that also: וַיָּרִ֥יבוּ גַם־עָלֶ֖יהָ (wayyārīvū gam-ʿālêhā).
  • וַיָּרִ֥יבוּ (wayyārīvū): "and they contended/quarreled." From the root רִיב (rīḇ), meaning to contend, quarrel, strive, dispute, or go to law. It implies active, verbal, and potentially physical dispute, not just disagreement.
  • גַם־עָלֶ֖יהָ (gam-ʿālêhā): "also concerning it/over it." The "also" (גַם - gam) is significant, highlighting the repetition of the conflict despite Isaac's patient withdrawal. It underscores the unrelenting nature of the opposition.
• and he called the name of it Sitnah: וַיִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ שִׂטְנָֽה׃ (wayyiqrāʾ šəmah Śiṭnāh).
  • וַיִּקְרָ֤א (wayyiqrāʾ): "and he called." This action signifies ownership, establishing identity, or memorializing an event or characteristic.
  • שְׁמָהּ֙ (šəmah): "its name." The naming reflects the core nature of the experience with that well.
  • שִׂטְנָֽה׃ (Śiṭnāh): "Sitnah." Meaning "enmity," "accusation," "hostility," or "adversity." The root (שָׂטַן - śāṭan) is the same as that for "Satan," who is primarily known as "the accuser" or "adversary." This name reveals a deeper dimension to the Philistines' actions: not merely an economic dispute, but a persistent, malicious opposition, suggesting an underlying spiritual enmity towards God's chosen seed and their divinely promised prosperity.

Words-group analysis:

• "And they removed from thence... and digged another well": This phrase emphasizes Isaac's peaceable and persistent character. He is not confrontational. Rather than fighting for his rights, he seeks new avenues for blessing. This reflects trust that God will ultimately provide without requiring violent conflict. It also shows resilience and diligent effort in seeking livelihood.
• "and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah": This marks the escalating nature of the conflict. While "Esek" (contention) reflected an immediate dispute, "Sitnah" (enmity/accusation) points to a more deeply ingrained, hostile opposition. The Philistines' actions are not just opportunistic but reveal a persistent adversarial spirit that hounds Isaac's every step. Naming the well serves as a testament to this profound and repeated experience of opposition, an "accusation" or "adversarial action" against God's man.

Genesis 26 21 Bonus section

The naming of the wells by Isaac follows a progression that maps his spiritual journey and reliance on God. First, "Esek" (Gen 26:20), meaning "Contention," encapsulates the initial experience of direct quarreling. Then comes "Sitnah," representing "Enmity" or "Accusation" (Gen 26:21), revealing a deeper, more personal and adversarial opposition. Finally, "Rehoboth" (Gen 26:22), meaning "Broad Places" or "Room," signifies the breakthrough—a place where God makes room and there is no strife, signifying God's ultimate blessing and expansion. This sequential naming is a micro-narrative of faith: persistent conflict leading to a revelation of underlying spiritual enmity, and eventually, through endurance and God's grace, to a place of unhindered prosperity. Isaac's method of patiently withdrawing rather than fighting echoes the call to not resist an evil person but to turn the other cheek, trusting God for ultimate justice and provision. It reveals that the fight is not always physical; sometimes, true victory lies in spiritual discernment and peaceful disengagement, waiting for God's divine opening.

Genesis 26 21 Commentary

Genesis 26:21 unveils Isaac's enduring character in the face of relentless adversity. After leaving the contested well Esek, he sought peace by relocating and investing labor in digging a new well. Yet, the pattern of conflict ("strove for that also") recurred, demonstrating the deep-seated envy and hostility of the Philistine inhabitants. The name "Sitnah," meaning "enmity" or "accusation," succinctly captures the nature of this opposition: it was not merely a dispute over water rights but a profound adversarial stance, echoing the spiritual principle of "the accuser." Isaac's patient endurance and refusal to retaliate, instead moving again, signify his reliance on God's provision and a willingness to concede earthly gains for peace, knowing his ultimate inheritance was secured by divine promise. This episode serves as a powerful illustration for believers: God's blessings often attract opposition, but perseverance, trust in God's ultimate vindication, and the pursuit of peace are foundational responses, paving the way for eventual breakthrough as seen with Rehoboth (Gen 26:22). It portrays how true faith often involves yielding one's rights in anticipation of a greater, God-given inheritance.