Genesis 26:22 kjv

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.

Genesis 26:22 nkjv

And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."

Genesis 26:22 niv

He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land."

Genesis 26:22 esv

And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."

Genesis 26:22 nlt

Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means "open space"), for he said, "At last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this land."

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 22 Meaning

Genesis 26:22 signifies a pivotal moment in Isaac's journey, marking the point where he experiences divine peace and ample provision after facing repeated conflicts. Having been driven from one place to another due to the Philistines' envy and contentions over wells, Isaac patiently relocated until he found a well for which no one quarreled. He named this well Rehoboth, meaning "ample room" or "broad places," expressing his understanding that the LORD God Himself had "made room" for him and his people, ensuring their flourishing and fruitfulness in the promised land, fulfilling God's covenant blessings. This verse underscores God's faithfulness to His promises despite human opposition.

Genesis 26 22 Context

The events of Genesis 26 unfold during a famine, prompting Isaac to sojourn in Gerar, Philistine territory. God reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham, including the land and the multiplication of descendants (Gen 26:2-5), reassuring Isaac of His presence and blessing. Isaac prospers greatly, causing the Philistines to envy him (Gen 26:12-14), leading to his expulsion by King Abimelech. Isaac then retreats to the Valley of Gerar, re-digging wells that his father Abraham had dug, only to face further conflict. The Philistine herdsmen repeatedly contend with Isaac's herdsmen over the water rights, leading Isaac to name the wells Esek ("contention") and Sitnah ("enmity"). Each move by Isaac is characterized by patient non-confrontation. Genesis 26:22 marks a breakthrough after this sequence of disputes. It illustrates Isaac's persistent faith and God's faithfulness, where a place of peace and provision is finally secured. The constant strife over wells reflects the intense competition for vital resources in an arid climate and also subtly underlines the divine blessing that transcends human antagonism, establishing a secure presence for God's chosen.

Genesis 26 22 Word analysis

• He moved on (וַיַּעְתֵּק - wayya‘têq): From the root ‘ataq, meaning "to remove, pull up stakes, move away." This denotes Isaac's intentional decision to relocate and avoid further contention, demonstrating a spirit of peace and perseverance rather than confrontation. It highlights his patience and reliance on God rather than force.
• from there (מִשָּׁם - miššām): Refers to the previous location where conflict, particularly "enmity" (Sitnah), persisted. His withdrawal emphasizes de-escalation.
• and dug (וַיַּחְפֹּר - wayyaḥpōr): From chaphar, "to dig, search." This action signifies renewed effort and investment, indicating a commitment to settling and securing essential resources for his large household and livestock. It reflects proactive dependence on God.
• another well (בְּאֵר אַחֶרֶת - bə’êr ’aḥeret): Underscores persistence and hope; Isaac did not give up after two previous attempts ended in conflict, but continued his search, trusting in God's provision. A well was life itself in that arid land.
• and they did not quarrel (וְלֹא רָבוּ - wəlō’ rāḇū): From riyb, "to contend, strive, quarrel." This phrase marks the critical turning point and a distinct departure from the earlier incidents at Esek and Sitnah. It is a sign of divine intervention and a peaceful outcome.
• over it (עָלֶיהָ - ‘ālehā): Specific object of the newfound peace.
• So he called its name (וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמָהּ - wayyiqrā’ šəmāh): The act of naming signified ownership, commemorative significance, and the theological interpretation of the event.
• Rehoboth (רְחֹבוֹת - Rəḥōḇōṯ): From the root rachab, meaning "to be wide, spacious, enlarge." This plural form (implied in the name) means "broad places" or "ample room." The name encapsulates the newfound peace, abundance, and security granted by God. It directly contrasts with the constriction and conflict previously experienced.
• saying (וַיֹּאמֶר - wayyōmer): Isaac articulates the theological significance behind the name, providing an explanation of divine action.
• "For now (כִּי עַתָּה - kî ‘attāh): The particle kî introduces the explanation. ‘attah ("now") emphasizes the immediate, culminating fulfillment of God’s provision at that specific point in time, following patient perseverance.
• the LORD (יְהוָ֧ה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God. Isaac explicitly attributes the peace and provision to YHWH, acknowledging God as the direct cause and ultimate source of his blessing. This contrasts with any attribution to luck or human strength.
• has made room for us (הִרְחִ֧יב לָ֝נוּ - hirḥîḇ lānū): The Hiphil form of rachab emphasizes that YHWH caused the space to be wide or enlarged. It implies God clearing the obstacles and opening up a way for Isaac. The blessing extends to "us" (lānū), encompassing Isaac and his entire household.
• and we shall be fruitful (וּפָרִ֥ינוּ - ūp̄ārînū): From parah, "to be fruitful, bear fruit." This directly connects to the foundational Abrahamic covenant promises (Gen 12:2; 22:17) that Isaac inherited. God making room is directly linked to His people multiplying.
• in the land (בָאָרֶץ - bā’āreṣ): Specifically, the land of Canaan, which was promised to Abraham and his descendants. The fruitfulness is contextually tied to their divinely appointed inheritance.

Words-group analysis:

• "He moved on from there and dug another well": This sequence reveals Isaac's disciplined perseverance. He chose withdrawal from conflict over escalation, reflecting a spirit of peace. His persistent digging demonstrates sustained effort and reliance on God's provision in an arid land, contrasting with a desire for easy gains.
• "and they did not quarrel over it": This is the culmination of Isaac's patient approach. It signifies that divine blessing is ultimately sovereign over human conflict. This newfound peace directly manifests God's intervention, making space where contention previously dominated.
• "So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, 'For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'": This naming and pronouncement are deeply theological. "Rehoboth" (ample room) embodies the tangible blessing, but Isaac's verbal explanation explicitly credits the covenant God, YHWH. He recognizes that God caused the enlargement and freedom from opposition, thereby enabling the fulfillment of the foundational promise of "fruitfulness" (multiplication of descendants and prosperity) within the promised "land." It connects physical space to covenant blessings.

Genesis 26 22 Bonus section

• Isaac's repeated patient relocation and digging reflect a trust that God would ultimately provide, similar to his father Abraham's journeys of faith. This demonstrates that perseverance in difficult circumstances, coupled with non-confrontation, can lead to God's open door.
• The progression of names – Esek (contention), Sitnah (enmity), Rehoboth (ample room) – metaphorically charts a spiritual journey from conflict and narrowness to freedom and expansiveness provided by God. This pattern of conflict leading to eventual divine peace is often mirrored in the lives of believers.
• The theological understanding Isaac articulates in the latter part of the verse connects the physical blessing of the well to the deeper spiritual reality of God fulfilling His covenant promise of increasing descendants and prosperity, linking everyday provision to divine destiny.
• "God making room" extends beyond physical space; it implies God creating opportunities, providing relief from spiritual opposition, and granting freedom to grow and flourish in various aspects of life. It speaks to a divine clearing of paths.

Genesis 26 22 Commentary

Genesis 26:22 serves as a powerful testament to God's covenant faithfulness and the spiritual wisdom of peaceful perseverance. After enduring two consecutive conflicts over essential water resources, Isaac did not retaliate or grow discouraged. Instead, he consistently withdrew from contention, choosing to trust God to provide. The naming of Rehoboth is not merely geographical identification; it is a profound declaration of faith. Isaac recognizes that the cessation of strife and the discovery of an uncontested well were not due to luck or superior strategy but to the direct, purposeful intervention of the LORD, who "made room" for His servant. This divine act cleared obstacles, establishing an environment conducive to Isaac's prosperity and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant promises regarding fruitfulness and habitation in the land. This passage thus illustrates that God's people may face opposition, but God Himself can and will open paths of blessing and peace when pursued with patience and trust.