Genesis 26:21
Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the name "Sitnah" means "hatred" or "enmity," and clearly reflects the conflict, Isaac's naming of the well highlights his perspective on why the contention exists. It’s not just a dispute, but a situation born out of pure malice from the Philistines, a choice to actively oppose him.
After Isaac's servants dug a well and the local herdsmen began quarreling with them over it, Isaac moved and dug another. But the people of Gerar quarreled with him over this second well as well, causing Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter opposition he faced.
Isaac's servants dug a well, but the local herdsmen fought them for it. Instead of just moving on, Isaac named the place.
Giving Names to Painful Experiences
When Isaac's servants dug a well and others immediately fought them for it, Isaac didn't just shrug it off. He gave the place a name that described the painful reality: "Sitnah." This word, rooted in the idea of 'adversary' or 'enemy,' highlights the active opposition and malice he faced.
Naming something, especially a difficult experience, can be powerful. It acknowledges the reality of the pain and conflict. It's not about dwelling in the negative, but about recognizing the 'Sitnah' in our lives – the hatred, the opposition, the injustice – so we can process it and move forward with clarity.
After the fight over the second well, Isaac didn't retaliate. He simply moved on and dug another. Why such a passive response?
The Strength in Yielding
Isaac's response to the conflict over the well named "Sitnah" wasn't to fight back. Instead, he moved. The biblical commentaries suggest he was following a principle of "resist not evil." This doesn't mean he was weak or a doormat. It means he understood a higher way of dealing with conflict.
He chose peace over possession. He prioritized his relationship with God and his own inner peace over winning an argument or defending his rights to the water. By moving on, he disarmed the attackers and demonstrated a powerful, faith-filled approach to conflict. This allowed him to eventually find a place where they "strove not" – Rehoboth, meaning 'room' or 'expanse.'
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 repeated disputes over wells highlight the tension between Isaac and the Philistines, revealing not only the scarcity of water in the region but also the hostility Isaac faced. His naming of the wells Esek ('contention') and Sitnah ('hatred') underscores his suffering and the difficult, ungenerous environment in which God's promises were unfolding.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham Sojourns in Gerar
During a famine, Abraham travels to Gerar and, fearing for his life, claims his wife Sarah is his sister. The local king, Abimelech, takes her but returns her when God intervenes.
c. 1950 BC
Philistines Stop Up Abraham's Wells
After Abraham's departure from Gerar, the Philistines fill in the wells he had dug, potentially out of animosity or to prevent his return.
c. 1850 BC
Isaac Sojourns in Gerar
Facing famine, Isaac settles in Gerar, a Philistine territory, and also claims his wife Rebekah is his sister due to fear. He is blessed by God with great prosperity.
c. 1850 BC
First Well Dug and Contested
Isaac's servants dig a well, but the local herdsmen of Gerar contend with them, claiming the water is theirs. Isaac names this well Esek, meaning 'contention'.
This proverb directly parallels the idea that strife can escalate, comparing the 'beginning of strife' to letting out water, just as Isaac's attempts to find water led to escalating disputes.
Matthew 5:39Jesus' teaching to 'turn the other cheek' reflects Isaac's passive response to the hostility he faced; instead of fighting back, he yielded and moved on, embodying a non-resistant approach.
Romans 12:18Paul's exhortation to 'live peaceably with all' resonates with Isaac's strategy of yielding wells when contention arose, demonstrating a desire to maintain peace even when wronged.
1 Samuel 29:4This passage mentions David being accused by the Philistines of being an 'adversary,' which connects to the meaning of 'Sitnah' (enmity/adversary) and the theme of being viewed with suspicion or hostility by others.
Genesis 26:20This verse immediately precedes 'Sitnah' and names the previous well 'Esek' (contention), showing a clear pattern of conflict over resources that Isaac endured before naming the next well 'Sitnah' (enmity).
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.
While the name "Sitnah" means "hatred" or "enmity," and clearly reflects the conflict, Isaac's naming of the well highlights his perspective on why the contention exists. It’s not just a dispute, but a situation born out of pure malice from the Philistines, a choice to actively oppose him.
After Isaac's servants dug a well and the local herdsmen began quarreling with them over it, Isaac moved and dug another. But the people of Gerar quarreled with him over this second well as well, causing Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter opposition he faced.
After Isaac's servants dug a well and the local herdsmen began quarreling with them over it, Isaac moved and dug another. But the people of Gerar quarreled with him over this second well as well, causing Isaac to name it "Sitnah," meaning "hatred" or "enmity," reflecting the bitter opposition he faced.
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c. 1850 BC— this verse
Second Well Dug and Contested
Isaac's servants dig another well, but the people of Gerar strive with Isaac's people over this one as well. Isaac names this well Sitnah, meaning 'hatred' or 'enmity'.
c. 1850 BC
Third Well Dug and Accepted
Isaac moves on and digs a third well. This time, the people of Gerar do not strive with him, and he names it Rehoboth, signifying 'room' or 'broad places', as God has made room for him.
c. 1850 BC
Isaac Moves to Beersheba
Following the disputes, Isaac journeys to Beersheba, where God reaffirms His covenant promises to him, encouraging him and assuring him of His presence and blessing.
"Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah." — While the name "Sitnah" means "hatred" or "enmity," and clearly reflects the conflict, Isaac's naming of the well highlights his perspective on why the contention exists. It’s not just a dispute, b…
