King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she [is] thy wife: and how saidst thou, She [is] my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Avimelekh summoned Yitz'chak and said, "So she is your wife, after all! How come you said, 'She is my sister'?" Yitz'chak responded, "Because I thought, 'I could get killed because of her.'"
Berean Standard Bible:
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.”
American Standard Version:
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die because of her.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Abimelech{H40} called{H7121} Isaac{H3327}, and said{H559}, Behold, of a surety{H389} she is thy wife{H802}: and how saidst{H559} thou, She is my sister{H269}? And Isaac{H3327} said{H559} unto him, Because I said{H559}, Lest I die{H4191} for her.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 26:9
1. Themes:
- Deception and its consequences: Isaac, like his father Abraham before him, deceives a foreign king about the identity of his wife, Rebekah, out of fear for his life.
- Divine providence: Despite Isaac's deception, God protects Rebekah from being harmed or taken as another man's wife, illustrating God's faithfulness to His covenant with Isaac.
- Ethical dilemmas: The verse raises questions about honesty versus self-preservation, and the moral choices individuals make under perceived threats.
2. Historical Context:
- The setting is the ancient Near East, specifically the land of the Philistines, where Isaac and Rebekah have settled for a time.
- This event occurs during a period of famine, which prompts Isaac to seek refuge among the Philistines, similar to the journeys of his father, Abraham, in times of scarcity.
- The Philistines, historically known to be a seafaring people, are not yet in direct conflict with the Israelites, which will happen in later generations.
- Isaac's actions reflect a common ancient practice of claiming a woman as a sister to protect oneself from potential rivals who might kill the husband to take the wife.
- The king of the Philistines, Abimelech, appears to be a title rather than a personal name, as a similar name is given to a king in Abraham's time (Genesis 20). This indicates either a dynastic name or a common title for rulers in that region.
In summary, Genesis 26:9 captures a moment of tension and deception in the life of Isaac, echoing a similar event in Abraham's life. It underscores themes of divine protection, ethical choices, and the complex interactions between the early Israelites and their neighbors, set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern customs and societal norms.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H40
There are 1102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼĂbîymelek
Pronunciation: ab-ee-mel'-ek
Description: from אָב and מֶלֶךְ; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites; Abimelech. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H3327
There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִצְחָק
Transliteration: Yitschâq
Pronunciation: yits-khawk'
Description: from צָחַק; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham; Isaac. Compare יִשְׂחָק. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H389
There are 504 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַךְ
Transliteration: ʼak
Pronunciation: ak
Description: akin to אָכֵן; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only; also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H269
There are 301 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָחוֹת
Transliteration: ʼâchôwth
Pronunciation: aw-khoth'
Description: irregular feminine of אָח; a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively); (an-) other, sister, together. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.