Genesis 26:11

And Abimelech charged all [his] people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

And Abimelech {H40} charged {H6680} all his people {H5971}, saying {H559}, He that toucheth {H5060} this man {H376} or his wife {H802} shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}.

Then Avimelekh warned all the people: "Whoever touches this man or his wife will certainly be put to death."

So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”

And Abimelech charged all the people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

Commentary

Genesis 26:11 records King Abimelech's stern decree protecting Isaac and his wife Rebekah in the land of Gerar. This verse highlights a crucial moment where divine providence safeguards God's chosen servant despite his own deceptive actions.

Context

Prior to this verse, Isaac, experiencing a famine, had relocated to Gerar among the Philistines. Fearing that the local men would kill him to take his beautiful wife Rebekah, Isaac repeated a deception previously employed by his father Abraham, claiming Rebekah was his sister (compare with Genesis 12:13 and Genesis 20:2). King Abimelech discovered Isaac's lie when he observed Isaac caressing Rebekah, realizing they were indeed husband and wife. Recognizing the potential sin and judgment that could have befallen his people if someone had unwittingly taken Rebekah, Abimelech immediately issued this protective edict.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: Despite Isaac's fear-driven deception, God's covenant faithfulness is evident as He supernaturally protects Isaac and Rebekah. Even a pagan king is moved to safeguard the heir of God's promises. This underscores the principle that God often shields His people, even when they falter, to fulfill His greater plan (see Psalm 105:15).
  • Abimelech's Integrity: The Philistine king demonstrates a remarkable sense of justice and moral concern. His swift action prevented potential adultery and divine judgment on his kingdom, highlighting a pagan ruler acting with more wisdom and righteousness than Isaac in this instance.
  • Consequences of Deception: Isaac's lack of faith and willingness to deceive put himself and Rebekah in a perilous situation. However, God's grace intervened, turning a potentially disastrous outcome into a testament to His preserving power.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "He that toucheth this man or his wife" carries a strong implication of harming, molesting, or taking possession of them. It's not merely casual contact but an act that would violate their person or relationship. The consequence, "shall surely be put to death," emphasizes the severity of Abimelech's charge and his commitment to preventing any harm or dishonor to Isaac and Rebekah, thereby protecting his own people from potential divine wrath.

Practical Application

This verse offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  1. God's Faithfulness Prevails: It reassures us that God remains faithful even when we are not. His plans for us are not thwarted by our imperfections or fears.
  2. The Importance of Truthfulness: Isaac's deception caused unnecessary risk. We are called to walk in truth, trusting God with the outcomes rather than resorting to lies or manipulation.
  3. God Works Through Unexpected Means: God can use anyone, even those outside the covenant community, to accomplish His purposes and protect His people. We should recognize God's hand in unexpected places.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 105:15

    [Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

  • Genesis 20:6

    And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

  • Proverbs 6:29

    So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

  • Zechariah 2:8

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
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