Genesis 26:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For all the wells {H875} which his father's {H1} servants {H5650} had digged {H2658} in the days {H3117} of Abraham {H85} his father {H1}, the Philistines {H6430} had stopped {H5640} them, and filled {H4390} them with earth {H6083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the P'lishtim had stopped up and filled with dirt all the wells his father's servants had dug during the lifetime of Avraham his father.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 26:15 recounts the malicious act of the Philistines, who, driven by envy of Isaac's extraordinary prosperity, deliberately stopped up and filled with earth the vital wells that his father Abraham's servants had dug. This hostile action was intended to deprive Isaac of essential water resources, undermine his established presence in the land, and erase the tangible legacy of his family's claim, thereby forcing his relocation and demonstrating the destructive power of human jealousy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a narrative arc detailing Isaac's sojourn in Gerar during a severe famine. God had explicitly commanded Isaac to remain in the land, promising His blessing and presence ([Genesis 26:2-3](/genesis/26-2-3 "God's Command and Promise to Isaac")). In obedience, Isaac sowed in the land and reaped a hundredfold, becoming exceedingly prosperous, possessing vast flocks, herds, and many servants ([Genesis 26:12-14](/genesis/26-12-14 "Isaac's Prosperity in Gerar")). This immense wealth, a direct result of divine favor, provoked intense envy among the Philistines, particularly their king Abimelech's people. The stopping of the wells is the immediate consequence of this envy, a tangible act of aggression that directly challenges Isaac's ability to sustain his household and livestock in the arid region. It sets the stage for Isaac's subsequent movements and the redigging of wells, echoing the earlier conflicts over water during Abraham's time ([Genesis 21:25-30](/genesis/21-25-30 "Abraham's Dispute Over a Well")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, especially in semi-arid regions like Gerar, water was the most critical and contested resource. Wells were not merely sources of hydration; they represented life, sustenance, and established presence. Digging a well was a significant investment of labor and signified a claim to the land and its resources. Control over wells was a source of power and a frequent cause of conflict between nomadic or semi-nomadic groups and settled populations. The Philistines, a settled people, viewed Isaac's growing prosperity and his access to water as a threat to their own resources and sovereignty. By stopping Abraham's wells, they were not only inconveniencing Isaac but also attempting to erase the historical markers of Abraham's prior presence and claim, thereby denying Isaac's ancestral right to the land and forcing him out. This act reflects common ancient land disputes and the strategic importance of water infrastructure.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 26:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Blessing and Human Envy**. Isaac's prosperity is explicitly attributed to God's blessing, yet this blessing elicits intense jealousy and hostility from the Philistines, demonstrating how God's favor can provoke opposition from those who resent divine partiality or perceive it as a threat. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Conflict Over Resources and Land**. The wells symbolize vital resources, and the dispute over them underscores the enduring human struggle for control over necessities and territory, a recurring motif in the patriarchal narratives and beyond. Thirdly, it speaks to **Inheritance and Legacy**, as the wells were tangible links to Abraham's past presence and the covenant promise of land. The Philistines' act was an attempt to sever Isaac's connection to this heritage and undermine his claim to the land promised to his forefathers ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). Finally, the verse implicitly sets up the theme of **Perseverance in Adversity**, foreshadowing Isaac's resilient response to this opposition by redigging the wells, demonstrating his reliance on God's provision despite human malice, a pattern seen throughout the lives of the patriarchs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wells (Hebrew, _bᵉʼêr'_):** From H875, meaning "a pit; especially a well." This term emphasizes the critical importance of these water sources in an arid land. Wells were not mere puddles but significant excavations, often lined, representing substantial labor and investment. They were lifelines for people and livestock, making their obstruction an act of severe economic and existential sabotage.
* **stopped (Hebrew, _çâtham'_):** From H5640, meaning "to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret; closed up, hidden, secret, shut out (up), stop." The use of "stopped" (H5640) signifies a deliberate and complete blockage, rendering the wells unusable. This was a willful act of destruction, not merely neglect, requiring considerable effort to reverse. It conveys malicious intent to cut off Isaac's vital supply.
* **earth (Hebrew, _ʻâphâr'_):** From H6083, meaning "dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud." The Philistines "filled them with earth," indicating a thorough and comprehensive obstruction. This was not a temporary measure but a destructive act designed to render the wells permanently unusable without significant and arduous labor to clear them. The act of filling with earth also symbolically buried Abraham's legacy in that place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father":** This clause establishes the historical context and the ancestral claim to the wells. It emphasizes that these were not newly dug wells but established, inherited resources, linking Isaac directly to Abraham's legacy and presence in the land. The phrase "in the days of Abraham his father" underscores the long-standing nature of these water sources and their significance as markers of family heritage and prior occupation.
* **"the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth":** This second clause describes the hostile action itself. It identifies the perpetrators ("the Philistines") and the specific, destructive nature of their act: "stopped them" (blocked them completely) and "filled them with earth" (rendering them useless and requiring immense effort to restore). This was a deliberate, laborious act of sabotage, driven by envy and a desire to dispossess Isaac.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 26:15 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Symbolism**: the wells themselves symbolize life, prosperity, and established presence in the land. By stopping them, the Philistines were attempting to cut off Isaac's life-source and undermine his very existence and claim to the territory. There is also a strong element of **Conflict**, not just physical but also a deeper ideological clash between God's blessing on Isaac and human envy and opposition. The act of "stopping" and "filling with earth" can be seen as a form of **Metaphorical Burial**, where the Philistines sought to bury not just the wells but Abraham's legacy and Isaac's future in that land. The narrative also uses **Juxtaposition** by placing Isaac's divine blessing immediately before the Philistines' malicious response, highlighting the stark contrast between God's provision and human hostility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 26:15 vividly illustrates the enduring tension between divine blessing and human opposition. Isaac's prosperity, a direct manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness, becomes the catalyst for the Philistines' destructive envy. This passage reveals that God's favor, while a source of life and abundance, can also provoke hostility from a world that often resents or misunderstands divine grace. The act of stopping the wells is a profound theological statement about humanity's fallen nature, where jealousy leads to acts of sabotage against those who are blessed. Yet, it also implicitly underscores God's unstoppable purpose; despite such human efforts to thwart His plan, God's provision for Isaac and His covenant promises would ultimately prevail. This narrative serves as a reminder that the path of faith often involves navigating opposition, but God's faithfulness remains constant.

* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Proverbs 27:4 - Envy's Cruelty")
* [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10-12 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are the Persecuted")
* [John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 26:15 offers profound insights for believers today, urging us to recognize and protect the "wells" of our spiritual lives. Just as the Philistines sought to cut off Isaac's physical lifelines, we face spiritual opposition that seeks to hinder our access to the living water of God's Word, prayer, fellowship, and the Holy Spirit's presence. We must be vigilant against anything that attempts to "stop up" or "fill with earth" these vital sources of spiritual nourishment and vitality. This passage also calls us to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity and envy. When others, motivated by jealousy or hostility, attempt to undermine God's blessings in our lives, our response should be one of perseverance and continued reliance on God's unfailing provision, rather than retaliation or despair. Furthermore, it reminds us of the importance of preserving our spiritual heritage—the foundational truths, teachings, and blessings passed down through generations of faith—ensuring they are not forgotten or rendered inaccessible by the "earth" of worldly distractions or spiritual apathy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "wells" in your spiritual life that provide you with nourishment and strength?**
* **Are there any "Philistines" (internal or external obstacles) attempting to stop up these wells in your life? How are you responding?**
* **How does Isaac's perseverance in the face of adversity inspire your own walk of faith?**
* **In what ways can we actively preserve and make accessible the spiritual heritage passed down to us?**

### FAQ
**Why were wells so important in ancient times?**

Answer: In the arid and semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, water was the single most critical resource for survival, far more valuable than gold or silver. Wells provided the essential water for human consumption, for sustaining vast flocks and herds (which were a primary measure of wealth, as seen in [Genesis 26:14](/genesis/26-14 "Isaac's Great Wealth")), and for limited agriculture. Beyond mere sustenance, wells also signified established presence and ownership of land. Digging a well was a significant investment of labor and capital, making it a tangible marker of a family's claim to a territory. Control over wells was therefore a source of immense power and frequently led to disputes and conflicts, as vividly illustrated in the interactions between Abraham, Isaac, and the Philistines throughout Genesis. To stop up a well was an act of economic warfare and a direct challenge to another's right to exist and prosper in a given area.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Philistines' act of stopping up Isaac's wells in Genesis 26:15 serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow, implicitly pointing to humanity's greater spiritual need and Christ's ultimate provision. Just as the Philistines sought to cut off Isaac's vital physical water supply, humanity, through sin and rebellion against God, had effectively "stopped up" and "filled with earth" its own access to the living water of God's presence and eternal life. We had become like "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")). However, Jesus Christ, the true and eternal "well of salvation" ([Isaiah 12:3](/isaiah/12-3 "Isaiah 12:3 - Wells of Salvation")), came to break down the barriers of sin and restore access to God. He declared Himself the source of "living water," promising that whoever drinks of it "will never be thirsty again" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus and the Living Water")). On the last day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus, the Source of Living Water")). Through His sacrifice on the cross, He opened an inexhaustible spring of grace, forgiveness, and eternal life, a spiritual blessing that no human envy, opposition, or earthly obstacle can ever stop up or fill with earth. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the thirst for life, offering a never-ending flow of spiritual sustenance that leads to everlasting life ([Revelation 21:6](/revelation/21-6 "Revelation 21:6 - The Spring of the Water of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 21:30

And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

Genesis 21:25

And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.