Genesis 26:9 | Bible Study Tools

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.

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.

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.'"

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.”

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.

Commentary

Context

Genesis 26 details a significant period in Isaac's life, echoing themes and challenges faced by his father, Abraham. Due to a famine in the land, Isaac moved to Gerar, a Philistine city ruled by King Abimelech. Out of fear for his life, Isaac deceptively told the Philistines that Rebekah, his wife, was his sister. This verse captures the moment when King Abimelech discovers the truth, likely after observing Isaac's intimate behavior with Rebekah (Genesis 26:8). Abimelech confronts Isaac, highlighting the danger Isaac's deception posed to his people, as someone might have unknowingly taken Rebekah as a wife, bringing guilt upon the kingdom.

Key Themes

Deception and Fear: Isaac's lie was driven by a profound fear for his own safety, believing that his life would be threatened if his wife's beauty was recognized. This mirrors Abraham's similar actions in earlier chapters of Genesis. It highlights a recurring human struggle: choosing self-preservation over faith in God's protection.
God's Providence Despite Human Failure: Despite Isaac's lack of faith and his deceptive act, God's covenant promises to him remained secure. Abimelech's discovery of the truth, seemingly by chance, prevented a potentially grave sin and protected Rebekah, demonstrating God's oversight even when His people stumble.
Consequences of Dishonesty: Abimelech's sharp rebuke underscores the moral implications of Isaac's lie. Deception not only compromises personal integrity but can also endanger others and create moral dilemmas for those around them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "of a surety" in the KJV text (Hebrew: אָכֵן, 'akhen) conveys Abimelech's absolute certainty and conviction. It means "surely," "indeed," or "truly," emphasizing that the king had undeniable proof of Isaac and Rebekah's marital relationship, making Isaac's previous claim unequivocally false. This strong affirmation highlights the depth of Abimelech's discovery and the seriousness of Isaac's deception.

Cross-References & Internal Links

Isaac's fear and deception contrast with the divine promises God had just reiterated to him in Gerar, assuring him of His presence and blessing.
The narrative of Isaac's lie and Abimelech's discovery is strikingly similar to Abraham's earlier deceptions concerning Sarah in Egypt and Gerar, suggesting a generational pattern of fear and lack of faith.
This event serves as a practical illustration of the wisdom found in Proverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that even faithful individuals can falter under pressure and fear. Isaac, an heir of God's promises, succumbed to a temptation that led him to compromise his integrity. His experience teaches us the importance of:

Trusting God's Protection: Instead of resorting to dishonesty, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness to keep His promises, even when circumstances seem threatening.
Living with Integrity: Our actions, even when driven by fear, have consequences and can impact others. Upholding truthfulness builds trust and honors God.
Learning from Mistakes: The Bible doesn't shy away from depicting the flaws of its heroes. Isaac's story encourages us to recognize our own vulnerabilities and seek to grow in faith and character, relying on God's grace for forgiveness and strength to overcome fear.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.