שִׂטְנָה

שִׂטְנָה

Sitnah, the name of a well in Pal

Definition

Sitnah is the name of a well dug by Isaac's servants in the land of Gerar, as recorded in Genesis 26:21. The name itself means 'accusation,' 'hostility,' or 'enmity,' derived from the same root as the noun 'Satan.' It was the second well Isaac's men dug after the Philistines had stopped up the wells dug by his father, Abraham. The naming of this well reflects the ongoing conflict and opposition Isaac faced from the local inhabitants, specifically the herdsmen of Gerar, who quarreled over its water rights.

Biblical Usage

This proper noun is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 26:21. It appears in the narrative context of Isaac re-digging his father's wells and facing active opposition from the Philistines. The usage is purely geographical, naming a specific location tied to a story of conflict and God's subsequent provision.

Etymology

The word 'Sitnah' (שִׂטְנָה) is identical to the common noun 'sitnah' (H7855), which means 'accusation' or 'hostility.' It is derived from the root שׂטן (śṭn), meaning 'to accuse,' 'to be an adversary,' or 'to oppose.' This is the same root from which the title 'Satan' (the accuser/adversary) is derived. The name of the well is therefore a direct reference to the adversarial conflict experienced there.

Semantic Range

While primarily a place name, Sitnah's etymology connects it to the biblical theme of spiritual and physical opposition faced by God's people. Isaac's perseverance in digging wells, despite hostility, demonstrates faith in God's promise and provision (Genesis 26:3-4). The sequence of wells—Esek ('contention'), Sitnah ('accusation'), and finally Rehoboth ('room')—illustrates a progression from conflict to God-given spaciousness and peace, highlighting that divine blessing often follows faithful endurance through opposition. In the semi-nomadic pastoral culture of the patriarchs, wells were vital, strategic assets essential for survival and prosperity. Claiming a well was tantamount to claiming the land and the right to dwell there. The quarreling over Sitnah was not a minor dispute but a serious challenge to Isaac's rightful inheritance of the land God had promised to his father, Abraham. Naming the well 'Accusation' served as a permanent cultural marker of this conflict. Esek (H6229) — The previous well, meaning 'contention,' named for the quarrel over it (Genesis 26:20). Rehoboth (H7344) — The subsequent well, meaning 'broad places,' named because God made room for them (Genesis 26:22).

Word Details