He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Isaac experienced incredible material prosperity, the verse reveals that his "great store of servants" wasn't just about having help; it points to the extensive "business" or "husbandry" he was managing. This abundance, which was a sign of God's blessing, directly fueled the envy of the Philistines, showing how even righteous prosperity can stir up negative emotions in others.
He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having been miraculously blessed with a hundredfold harvest despite a famine, Isaac's prosperity grew significantly. This immense wealth, displayed in his vast flocks, herds, and numerous servants, attracted the envious gaze of the surrounding Philistines, leading to escalating conflict.
Isaac's success was astounding – a hundredfold return in a single year! But was it just good farming, or something more divine?
The text doesn't just say Isaac was a good farmer; it explicitly states, "the LORD blessed him" (Genesis 26:12). This wasn't just luck or skill; it was God's direct favor. In a time of famine, when others likely struggled, Isaac's land yielded an extraordinary harvest. This highlights a crucial biblical principle: while hard work is valued, ultimate fruitfulness comes from God's blessing. Our prosperity, whether spiritual or material, is ultimately a gift from Him, meant to point back to His goodness.
Isaac's incredible success brought him more than just wealth; it brought him trouble from his neighbors. Why does God's blessing sometimes lead to conflict?
This passage reveals a hard truth: prosperity, especially when it seems unearned or excessive to outsiders, can breed envy. The Philistines "envied him" because of his immense possessions – flocks, herds, and numerous servants. This envy wasn't just a fleeting feeling; it led to their actions of filling in his wells and eventually telling him to leave. It shows that even when God blesses us, we might face opposition from those who resent our good fortune. This doesn't mean we should avoid blessing, but rather that we need God's wisdom and strength to navigate the envy and conflict that can arise.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
qana' · Hebrew Verb
A negative emotional reaction characterized by resentment or covetousness toward another's success, possessions, or status. In a biblical context, it is frequently linked with conflict and disharmony between individuals or nations.
This passage highlights the recurring theme of God's blessing upon Abraham's lineage, even amidst human frailty like Isaac's fear and deception. The envy and hostility of the Philistines, a direct result of this blessing, underscore the tension between God's promises and the world's reaction.
c. 1800-1700 BC
Abraham sojourns in Gerar
During a famine, Abraham lives in Gerar and is blessed by God with great prosperity. He temporarily claims his wife Sarah is his sister out of fear, which leads to a confrontation with King Abimelech.
c. 1750-1650 BC— this verse
Isaac settles in Gerar during famine
Following in his father's footsteps, Isaac also moves to Gerar due to a famine. He repeats Abraham's mistake by claiming his wife Rebekah is his sister, fearing for his life.
c. 1750-1650 BC
Isaac's extraordinary harvest
Despite the famine and his deceptive claims about Rebekah, Isaac sows in the land and receives an astonishing hundredfold harvest, signifying God's blessing.
c. 1750-1650 BC
Philistines drive Isaac away
Isaac's immense prosperity, evidenced by his vast flocks, herds, and servants, causes the Philistines to envy him. King Abimelech eventually asks Isaac to leave because he has become too powerful.
c. 1750-1650 BC
Isaac reopens wells and finds peace
Isaac moves to the valley of Gerar, reopens wells dug by Abraham that the Philistines had stopped, and despite disputes, finds a new well leading to the place name Rehoboth ('room'). He later moves to Beersheba where God reaffirms His covenant promises.
This passage highlights jealousy and envy among brothers as Joseph's older siblings envied his favored status and dreams, showing how prosperity can spark strife even within families.
Job 5:2Eliphaz speaks of how envy consumes the foolish, showing that this negative emotion is not only a human failing but also a destructive force that leads to ruin, mirroring the Philistines' destructive envy of Isaac.
Proverbs 14:30This proverb states that 'a tranquil heart gives life to the body, but envy makes the bones rot,' directly linking envy to a destructive internal state, which the Philistines experienced towards Isaac's success.
Matthew 27:18Pilate released Barabbas instead of Jesus because 'the chief priests handed Jesus over because of envy,' illustrating how envy can motivate powerful leaders to act unjustly and seek the downfall of those they resent.
gillGenesis 26:14: "For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him."
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds,.... Many flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle, of oxen, asses and camels, in which the riches of men in those times and countries chiefly lay: and great store of servants; to look after his flocks and herds, and fields; or "much husbandry" (f); Jarchi interprets it much tillage; as, much land, many farms…
clarkeGenesis 26:14: "For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him."
He had possession of flocks - He who blessed him in the increase of his fields blessed him also in the increase of his flocks; and as he had extensive possessions, so he must have many hands to manage such concerns: therefore it is added, he had great store of servants - he had many domestics, some born in his house, and others purchased by his money.
While Isaac experienced incredible material prosperity, the verse reveals that his "great store of servants" wasn't just about having help; it points to the extensive "business" or "husbandry" he was managing. This abundance, which was a sign of God's blessing, directly fueled the envy of the Philistines, showing how even righteous prosperity can stir up negative emotions in others.
Having been miraculously blessed with a hundredfold harvest despite a famine, Isaac's prosperity grew significantly. This immense wealth, displayed in his vast flocks, herds, and numerous servants, attracted the envious gaze of the surrounding Philistines, leading to escalating conflict.
Having been miraculously blessed with a hundredfold harvest despite a famine, Isaac's prosperity grew significantly. This immense wealth, displayed in his vast flocks, herds, and numerous servants, attracted the envious gaze of the surrounding Philistines, leading to escalating conflict.
"He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him." — While Isaac experienced incredible material prosperity, the verse reveals that his "great store of servants" wasn't just about having help; it points to the extensive "business" or "husbandry" he was…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026