Genesis 26:20
New International Version
But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him.

New Living Translation
But then the shepherds from Gerar came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, and they argued over it with Isaac’s herdsmen. So Isaac named the well Esek (which means “argument”).

English Standard Version
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Berean Standard Bible
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

King James Bible
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

New King James Version
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him.

New American Standard Bible
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they argued with him.

NASB 1995
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

NASB 1977
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the herdsmen of Gerar contended with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they quarreled with him.

Amplified Bible
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours!” So Isaac named the well Esek (quarreling), because they quarreled with him.

Christian Standard Bible
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours! ” So he named the well Esek because they argued with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Quarrel because they quarreled with him.

American Standard Version
And the herdsmen of Gerar strove with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Contemporary English Version
But the shepherds of Gerar Valley quarreled with Isaac's shepherds and claimed the water belonged to them. So this well was named "Quarrel," because they had quarreled with Isaac.

English Revised Version
And the herdmen of Gerar strove with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they contended with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The herders from Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herders, claiming, "This water is ours!" So Isaac named the well Esek [Argument], because they had argued with him.

Good News Translation
The shepherds of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's shepherds and said, "This water belongs to us." So Isaac named the well "Quarrel."

International Standard Version
But the herdsmen who lived in Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen. "The water is ours," they said. As a result, Isaac named the well Esek, for they had fiercely disputed with him about it.

Majority Standard Bible
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

NET Bible
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water belongs to us!" So Isaac named the well Esek because they argued with him about it.

New Heart English Bible
The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours." He called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the herdmen of Gerar contended with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

World English Bible
The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and shepherds of Gerar strive with shepherds of Isaac, saying, “The water [is] ours”; and he calls the name of the well “Strife,” because they have striven habitually with him;

Young's Literal Translation
and shepherds of Gerar strive with shepherds of Isaac, saying, 'The water is ours;' and he calleth the name of the well 'Strife,' because they have striven habitually with him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the shepherds of Gerar will contend with Isaak's shepherds, saying; The waters are to us: and he will call the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But there also the herdsmen of Gerara strove against the herdsmen of Isaac, saying: It is our water. Wherefore he called the name of the well, on occasion of that which had happened, Calumny.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But in that place also the shepherds of Gerar argued against the shepherds of Isaac, by saying, “It is our water.” For this reason, he called the name of the well, because of what had happened, ‘Calumny.’

New American Bible
the shepherds of Gerar argued with Isaac’s shepherds, saying, “The water belongs to us!” So he named the well Esek, because they had quarreled there.

New Revised Standard Version
the herders of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herders, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the well Esek, because they contended with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the herdsmen of Gadar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours; and he called the name of the well Aska (difficulty); because they disputed with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the herdsmen of Gadar contended with the herdsmen of Isaac and they said, “The waters are ours”, and he called the name of the well Asqa, because they disputed with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the herdmen of Gerar strove with Isaac's herdmen, saying: 'The water is ours.' And he called the name of the well Esek; because they contended with him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the shepherds of Gerara strove with the shepherds of Isaac, saying that the water was theirs; and they called the name of the well, Injury, for they injured him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac's Prosperity
19Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there. 20But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.…

Cross References
Genesis 13:7
And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.

Genesis 21:25
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Numbers 20:3
The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!

Numbers 20:13
These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.

Judges 6:31-32
But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.” / So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.

1 Samuel 2:25
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.

1 Samuel 15:19
So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

1 Kings 18:17-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” / “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

2 Chronicles 13:12
Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

Psalm 106:32-33
At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.

Proverbs 25:8
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Isaiah 41:11-12
Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.

Jeremiah 2:29
Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 5:25
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.


Treasury of Scripture

And the herdsmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

did strive.

Genesis 21:25
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

Esek.

Jump to Previous
Argued Contended Disputed Fight Gerar Habitually Herdmen Herdsmen Isaac Isaac's Ours Quarreled Shepherds Spring Strife Strive Striven Strove Water
Jump to Next
Argued Contended Disputed Fight Gerar Habitually Herdmen Herdsmen Isaac Isaac's Ours Quarreled Shepherds Spring Strife Strive Striven Strove Water
Genesis 26
1. Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.
7. He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.
12. He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.
18. He digs wells.
23. God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him;
26. and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.
34. Esau's wives.














But the herdsmen of Gerar
The "herdsmen of Gerar" refers to the local inhabitants of the region where Isaac had settled. Gerar was a Philistine city, and its people were often in conflict with the patriarchs over resources. Historically, the Philistines were known for their advanced culture and military prowess, often clashing with the Israelites. This phrase sets the stage for the recurring theme of conflict over resources, a common issue in the arid regions of the ancient Near East.

quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen
The word "quarreled" indicates a dispute or contention, which in Hebrew is "רִיב" (riv). This term often implies a legal or formal dispute, suggesting that the conflict was significant and possibly involved claims of rights or ownership. Isaac's herdsmen, representing his household and wealth, were in direct conflict with the locals, highlighting the challenges of living as a sojourner in a foreign land.

and said, 'The water is ours!'
Water was a precious and scarce resource in the ancient Near East, essential for survival and prosperity. The claim "The water is ours!" underscores the importance of wells and water rights in the region. This declaration by the herdsmen of Gerar reflects the broader struggle for control over life-sustaining resources, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

So he named the well Esek
"Esek" means "contention" or "dispute" in Hebrew. Naming the well Esek serves as a memorial to the conflict that occurred there. In biblical times, naming places after events was a common practice, serving as a reminder of God's provision and the challenges faced by His people. This act of naming also reflects Isaac's response to adversity, choosing to move forward rather than engage in prolonged conflict.

because they contended with him
The phrase "they contended with him" reiterates the conflict and highlights Isaac's role as a peacemaker. Despite the contention, Isaac chose not to retaliate but instead moved on to dig another well. This response exemplifies a godly character, emphasizing peace and trust in God's provision. Isaac's actions serve as an inspiration for believers to seek peace and rely on God's faithfulness in times of conflict.

Verse 20. - And the herdmen of Gerar - i.e. Abimelech's servants (Genesis 21:25) - did strive with Isaac's herdmen, - as Lot's with those of Abraham (Genesis 13:7) - saying, The water is ours: - literally, to us (belong) the waters - and he called the name of the well Esek ("Strife"); because they strove with him - the verb being עָשַׂק, to strive about anything.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the herdsmen
רֹעֵ֣י (rō·‘ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7473: Pastoral, a shepherd

of Gerar
גְרָ֗ר (ḡə·rār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1642: Gerar -- a place South of Gaza

quarreled
וַיָּרִ֜יבוּ (way·yā·rî·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Isaac’s
יִצְחָ֛ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

herdsmen
רֹעֵ֥י (rō·‘ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7473: Pastoral, a shepherd

and said,
לֵאמֹ֖ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The water is ours!”
הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

So he named
וַיִּקְרָ֤א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

the well
הַבְּאֵר֙ (hab·bə·’êr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 875: A pit, a well

Esek,
עֵ֔שֶׂק (‘ê·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6230: Esek -- 'contention', a well in Gerar

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they contended
הִֽתְעַשְּׂק֖וּ (hiṯ·‘aś·śə·qū)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6229: To press upon, quarrel

with him.
עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT Law: Genesis 26:20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:19
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