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Genesis 26:16

Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

World English Bible · Public Domain

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

  • KJV King James Version

    And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.

  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And Abimelech said unto Isaac: 'Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.'

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Cross-references (1)

Passages linked to Genesis 26:16 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.

  • Exodus 1:9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

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Explain this verse (10 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 16. And Abimelech said unto Isaac. It is uncertain…

16. And Abimelech said unto Isaac. It is uncertain whether the king of Gerar expelled Isaac of his own accord from his kingdom, or whether he commanded him to settle elsewhere, because he perceived him to be envied by the people. He possibly might, in this manner, advise him as a friend; although it is more probable that his mind had become alienated from Isaac; for at the close of the chapter Moses relates, that the holy man complains strongly of the king as well as of others. But since we can assert nothing with certainty respecting the real feelings of the king, let it suffice to maintain, what is of more importance, that in consequence of the common wickedness of mankind, they who are the most eminent fall under the suspicion of the common people. Satiety, indeed, produces ferocity. Wherefore there is nothing to which the rich are more prone than proudly to boast, to carry themselves more insolently than they ought, and to stretch every nerve of their power to oppress others. No such suspicion, indeed, could fall upon Isaac; but he had to bear that envy which was the attendant on a common vice. Whence we infer, how much more useful and desirable it often is, for us to be placed in a moderate condition; which is, at least, more peaceful, and which is neither exposed to the storms of envy, nor obnoxious to unjust suspicions. Moreover, how rare and unwonted was the blessing of God in rendering Isaac prosperous, may be inferred from the fact, that his wealth had become formidable both to the king and to the people. A large inheritance truly had descended to him from his father; but Moses shows, that from his first entrance into the land, he had so greatly prospered in a very short time, that it seemed no longer possible for the inhabitants to endure him.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Gen 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Which breeds envy, and jealousy, and fear among my…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And Isaac departed thence,.... At once, peaceably and quietly,…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 16. Go from us; for thou art much…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Gen 26:16. Go from us: for thou art much…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Depart. Instead of repressing the outrages of his subjects,…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 16. Go from us — The Philistine king perceives…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 16. Go from us] Abimelech recognized that, after such…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And Abimelech said unto Isaac (almost leading to the…

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