Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The name "Sitnah" isn't just about a dispute; it's a direct accusation, meaning "enmity" or "hatred," and is linguistically linked to the word for "adversary." Isaac names it this to expose the malicious intent behind their quarreling, not just the act itself.
Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Isaac's servants dug a well and were met with fierce opposition and quarreling from the local herdsmen, Isaac moved and had his servants dig another. Yet, the people of Gerar still fought with him over this new well, leading Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter strife he faced from the Philistines.
Isaac's servants dug another well, but faced the same conflict. What does the name they gave it reveal about this struggle?
The name Isaac gave this well, 'Sitnah,' literally means 'enmity' or 'hatred.' This wasn't just a disagreement over water; it was an expression of deep-seated animosity from the people of Gerar.
A Rooted Conflict
Naming this well 'Sitnah' was Isaac's way of acknowledging the bitter hatred he and his people faced, turning a moment of conflict into a testimony of the opposition they endured.
Isaac encountered conflict again and again. How did he navigate these difficult situations, and what can we learn from his strategy?
Instead of fighting back, Isaac consistently chose a path of non-resistance and peace, a remarkable example of overcoming evil with good.
Yielding and Moving On
Ask a follow-up
Isaac's response to conflict wasn't weakness, but a powerful act of faith, trusting that God would ultimately vindicate him and provide for his needs, even when others acted with hatred and contention.
Understand the original words
be’er · Hebrew Noun
A pit or shaft sunk into the earth to tap an underground spring or water supply. In the patriarchal narratives, wells often symbolize provision, covenant, and conflict over resources in arid regions.
Sitnah · Hebrew Proper Noun
Derived from the Hebrew root meaning to oppose, accuse, or act as an adversary. It represents a place of contention or hostility.
The naming of the well Sitnah highlights a deep-seated hostility from the Philistines, rooted in envy and a refusal to peacefully coexist with God's chosen people, a stark contrast to Isaac's patient, God-honoring response.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham Sojourns in Gerar
Abraham, facing famine, sojourns in Gerar and, fearing for his life, twice claims his wife Sarah is his sister. The Philistine king Abimelech intervenes and protects them, establishing a covenant.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac Sojourns in Gerar
Isaac, also facing famine, is instructed by God to stay in Gerar. He fears for his life and claims his wife Rebekah is his sister, but is discovered by King Abimelech, who reiterates a protective covenant.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac Digs Wells in Gerar Valley
Following God's blessing and encouragement, Isaac's servants dig wells in the valley of Gerar. The local Philistines, filled with envy over Isaac's prosperity, stop up the wells his father Abraham had dug.
c. 1750 BC
Strife Over the Well Esek
Isaac's servants successfully dig a new well, but the herdsmen of Gerar quarrel with them, claiming the water for themselves. Isaac names this well Esek, meaning 'contention'.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Strife Over the Well Sitnah
Undeterred, Isaac's servants dig another well. The people of Gerar quarrel with them over this well as well, leading Isaac to name it Sitnah, meaning 'enmity' or 'hatred'.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac Digs the Well Rehoboth
Isaac moves on and digs a fourth well. This time, the people of Gerar do not quarrel over it, and Isaac names it Rehoboth, meaning 'room' or 'broad places', signifying God's blessing and expansion.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac Moves to Beersheba
Finally, Isaac moves to Beersheba, where God appears to him, reaffirming His covenant promises and blessing. Isaac builds an altar, and his servants dig another well.
This proverb highlights how quickly a small argument can escalate, mirroring Isaac's experience where digging a well led to contention and then hatred.
Matthew 5:39Jesus' teaching to 'turn the other cheek' resonates with Isaac's response to conflict; instead of fighting, he yielded and moved on, embodying a passive resistance to evil.
Galatians 5:20The 'enmity' or 'hatred' that led to the quarrel over the well is listed as a work of the flesh, contrasting with the fruit of the Spirit that Isaac was called to live by.
1 Peter 2:20This passage speaks of enduring hardship and being blamed wrongfully, which directly applies to Isaac's situation where his good work of digging wells was met with hostility.
Romans 12:18Isaac's actions, particularly his willingness to leave rather than fight over the wells, demonstrate an effort to 'live peaceably with all' as much as it depends on him.
gillGenesis 26:21: "And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah."
And they digged another well,.... That is, Isaac's servants: and strove for that also; the herdsmen of Gerar disputed their right to that also, and strove to get it from them: and he called the name of it Sitnah; which signifies "hatred", it being out of hatred and malice to him that they gave him so much trouble; from this word Satan has his name, and these men were of a diabolical spi…
clarkeGenesis 26:21: "And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah."
They dug another well - Never did any man more implicitly follow the Divine command, Resist not evil, than Isaac; whenever he found that his work was likely to be a subject of strife and contention, he gave place, and rather chose to suffer wrong than to have his own peace of mind disturbed. Thus he overcame evil with good.
The name "Sitnah" isn't just about a dispute; it's a direct accusation, meaning "enmity" or "hatred," and is linguistically linked to the word for "adversary." Isaac names it this to expose the malicious intent behind their quarreling, not just the act itself.
After Isaac's servants dug a well and were met with fierce opposition and quarreling from the local herdsmen, Isaac moved and had his servants dig another. Yet, the people of Gerar still fought with him over this new well, leading Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter strife he faced from the Philistines.
After Isaac's servants dug a well and were met with fierce opposition and quarreling from the local herdsmen, Isaac moved and had his servants dig another. Yet, the people of Gerar still fought with him over this new well, leading Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter strife he faced from the Philistines.
"Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah." — The name "Sitnah" isn't just about a dispute; it's a direct accusation, meaning "enmity" or "hatred," and is linguistically linked to the word for "adversary." Isaac names it this to expose the malic…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026