MPV Commentary

1. A severe famine struck the land, and Isaac traveled to Gerar with his family and livestock.

The pressure of famine in Canaan forced Isaac's migration into the land of the Philistines, where he faced personal danger due to his wife's beauty, similar to his father Abraham's experience (Ps 105:14-15).

12. During his stay in that region, Isaac cultivated a plot of land and, through God's blessing on his skill and industry, it was extremely productive (Isa 65:13; Ps 37:19). His abundant harvests led to rapid growth in wealth and influence, causing the Philistines to become afraid or envious of his prosperity. They forced him to leave the area (Pr 27:4; Ec 4:4).

This situation is similar to that of many Syrian shepherds today who settle in a place for a year or two, rent land, and trade with neighboring markets until the owners, jealous of their growing wealth, refuse to renew their lease and compel them to move elsewhere.

15. Isaac's servants had previously dug wells, but the Philistines had blocked them, filling them with sand or stones, or even defiling them with putrid carcasses (a common tactic still used today to annoy those against whom they have taken an umbrage).

17. The valley of Gerar was a vast, undulating plain with good pasture.

18-22. Isaac reopened the wells his father's servants had dug and restored their original names, which the Philistines had changed in an attempt to erase their connection to Abraham's family. This led to disputes between the shepherds over access to the water sources, a common occurrence in those regions even today.

26-33. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, visited Isaac with two courtiers (Pr 16:7). Although it is unclear what motivated this visit – whether fear of Isaac's growing power or regret for their past treatment of him – it was another demonstration of God's promise being fulfilled (Ge 12:2). Isaac, however, expressed deep feelings about the Philistines' conduct and their audacity in approaching him. Despite his pacific nature, he forgave them and accepted their proposals, even hosting a banquet to ratify their new covenant.

34. Esau married two idolatrous women from Canaan, which would have been unacceptable to Abraham (Ge 24:3). This union further strained family relationships and demonstrated that Esau neither desired God's blessing nor feared His curse. These wives never gained the affection of Isaac and Rebekah, and this estrangement was ultimately used by God to keep the chosen family separate from heathen influence.