The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 26:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And they digged also another; and for that they quarrelled likewise, and he called the name of it, Enmity.

Douay-Rheims

וַֽיַּחְפְּרוּ֙ בְּאֵ֣ר אַחֶ֔רֶת וַיָּרִ֖יבוּ גַּם־עָלֶ֑יהָ וַיִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמָ֖הּ שִׂטְנָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Observe how he lifts up his goodness and displays his humility in every situation; even those who oppose him, often unintentionally, aid in his glorification through their extreme malice. Not satisfied with one insult, they confront him again after he has uncovered another well. "They dug another well; they disputed also about it; and he called its name, Sitna." Take note of the wisdom of this righteous man! They did not completely remove the well from him; instead, they engaged in arguments. When they acknowledged their wrongdoing, they withdrew. Thus, he named that place Enmity, as it had indeed become a source of strife.

Read more (83 words)

Yet, despite the daily slights endured from the local inhabitants, he remained undeterred and did not falter, nor did he ponder or declare, "I lack the strength to utilize the wells; have I not turned away from divine assistance, or forsaken the providence of the Lord?" He entertained none of these thoughts but rather accepted all circumstances with utter humility. Moreover, the support he received from above was abundant. These challenges served as a means to strengthen the virtue of the righteous man.

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

Rather than using the term 'enmity,' which Aquila and Symmachus rendered as ἡ άντικειμένη and ὲναντίωσις, meaning 'adverse' and 'hostile,' the original Hebrew employs the word satana (שִׂטְנָֽה). This leads us to understand that 'satan' translates to 'adversary.'

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.