Genesis 26:7
New International Version
When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.”

New Living Translation
When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.”

English Standard Version
When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance.

Berean Standard Bible
But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.”

King James Bible
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

New King James Version
And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.”

New American Standard Bible
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is beautiful.”

NASB 1995
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.”

NASB 1977
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful in appearance.”

Amplified Bible
The men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife”—thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is very beautiful.”

Christian Standard Bible
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.”

American Standard Version
and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, My wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

Contemporary English Version
with his beautiful wife Rebekah. He was afraid that someone might kill him to get her, and so he told everyone that Rebekah was his sister.

English Revised Version
and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, My wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah: because she was fair to look upon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the men of that place asked about his wife, Isaac answered, "She's my sister." He was afraid to say "my wife." He thought that the men of that place would kill him to get Rebekah, because she was an attractive woman.

Good News Translation
When the men there asked about his wife, he said that she was his sister. He would not admit that she was his wife, because he was afraid that the men there would kill him to get Rebecca, who was very beautiful.

International Standard Version
Later on, the men of that place asked about his wife, so he replied, "She's my sister," because he was afraid to call her "my wife." He kept thinking, "…otherwise, the men around here will kill me on account of Rebekah, since she's very beautiful."

Majority Standard Bible
But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, ?She is my sister.? For he was afraid to say, ?She is my wife,? since he thought to himself, ?The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.?

NET Bible
When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he replied, "She is my sister." He was afraid to say, "She is my wife," for he thought to himself, "The men of this place will kill me to get Rebekah because she is very beautiful."

New Heart English Bible
The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "My wife," lest, he thought, "the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is very beautiful."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

World English Bible
The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and men of the place ask him of his wife, and he says, “She [is] my sister”: for he has been afraid to say, “My wife—lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, for she [is] of good appearance.”

Young's Literal Translation
and men of the place ask him of his wife, and he saith, 'She is my sister:' for he hath been afraid to say, 'My wife -- lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, for she is of good appearance.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of the place will ask concerning his wife; and he will say, She is my sister: for he will be afraid to say, My wife, lest the men of the place will kill me for Rebekah, because she is good in appearance.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he was asked by the men of that place, concerning his wife, he answered: She is my sister; for he was afraid to confess that she was his wife, thinking lest perhaps they would like him because of her beauty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he was questioned by the men of that place about his wife, he answered, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to confess her to be his mate, thinking that perhaps they would put him to death because of her beauty.

New American Bible
When the men of the place asked questions about his wife, he answered, “She is my sister.” He was afraid that, if he called her his wife, the men of the place would kill him on account of Rebekah, since she was beautiful.

New Revised Standard Version
When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “My wife,” thinking, “or else the men of the place might kill me for the sake of Rebekah, because she is attractive in appearance.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the men of the place asked him concerning his wife; and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife; lest the men of the place should kill him on account of Rebekah, because she was fair to look upon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of the place asked him about his wife and he said, “She is my sister”, because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife”, lest the men of the place would kill him, because Raphqa was beautiful in her appearance.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said: 'She is my sister'; for he feared to say: 'My wife'; 'lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is fair to look upon.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men of the place questioned him concerning Rebecca his wife, and he said, She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the place should slay him because of Rebecca, because she was fair.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac Deceives Abimelech
6So Isaac settled in Gerar. 7But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” 8When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.…

Cross References
Genesis 12:11-13
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, / and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. / Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”

Genesis 20:2
Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Leviticus 19:11
You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.

Deuteronomy 5:20
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

1 Samuel 21:2
“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

1 Samuel 27:10
who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

1 Kings 21:8-10
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 19:9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

Jeremiah 9:3-5
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

Hosea 4:2
Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.


Treasury of Scripture

And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look on.

She is my sister.

Genesis 12:13
Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Genesis 20:2,5,12,13
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah…

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

fair.

Genesis 24:16
And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

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Account Afraid Beautiful Countenance Death Fair Feared Fearing Kill Questioned Rebecca Rebekah Sake Sister Slay Thinking Thought Wife
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Account Afraid Beautiful Countenance Death Fair Feared Fearing Kill Questioned Rebecca Rebekah Sake Sister Slay Thinking Thought Wife
Genesis 26
1. Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.
7. He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.
12. He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.
18. He digs wells.
23. God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him;
26. and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.
34. Esau's wives.














When the men of that place asked about his wife
This phrase sets the scene in Gerar, where Isaac and Rebekah have settled. The "men of that place" refers to the inhabitants of Gerar, a Philistine city. Historically, this reflects a time when tribal and familial alliances were crucial for survival, and strangers were often viewed with suspicion. The inquiry about Rebekah indicates a cultural practice of assessing newcomers, especially regarding potential threats or alliances.

he said, 'She is my sister,'
Isaac's response mirrors the actions of his father, Abraham, in earlier narratives (Genesis 12:13; 20:2). The Hebrew root for "sister" (אָחוֹת, 'achot) can also imply a close kinship, which Isaac uses to protect himself. This decision reflects a recurring theme of human fear and self-preservation, even at the cost of truth, highlighting the frailty and imperfection of God's chosen people.

for he was afraid to say, 'She is my wife,'
Fear is a powerful motivator in this narrative. Isaac's fear (יָרֵא, yare) is not just personal but cultural, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern context where a woman's beauty could indeed lead to violence against her husband. This fear underscores the vulnerability of individuals in foreign lands and the lengths to which they might go to protect themselves.

thinking, 'The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah
Isaac's internal reasoning reveals his perception of the moral and social climate of Gerar. The phrase "might kill me" (יָהַרְגוּנִי, yaharguni) suggests a real threat, emphasizing the lawlessness and potential for violence in ancient societies. This reflects a world where divine protection was often sought amidst human treachery.

for she is beautiful
Rebekah's beauty (יָפָה, yafeh) is not just a physical attribute but a narrative device that drives the plot. In the biblical context, beauty often signifies God's blessing but also brings challenges, as seen with Sarah and Rachel. This beauty, while a gift, becomes a source of fear and deception, illustrating the complex interplay between divine gifts and human frailty.

(7) He said, She is my sister.--We have already seen that Abraham at Gerar showed no consciousness of having done wrong in denying his wife (Genesis 20:2); and we now find Isaac imitating his example with even less reason for his conduct. The circumstances are, however, different. It is the people who inquire about Isaac's relation to Rebekah, and though she was "fair to look upon," yet no annoyance followed upon his denial of her. The king after "a long time" detects their intimacy; but there are no presents, and no marks of respect to Rebekah, and no friendship. It is only after long quarrels, during which Isaac is obliged to withdraw to a long distance from Gerar, that finally peace is made between them.

Verse 7. - And the men of the place (i.e. the inhabitants of Gerar) asked him (literally, asked, or made inquiries; probably first at each other, though ultimately the interrogations might reach Isaac himself) of his wife (being in all likelihood fascinated by her beauty); and he said, - falling into the same infirmity as Abraham (Genesis 12:13; Genesis 20:2) - She is my sister: - which was certainly an equivocation, since, although sometimes used to designate a female relative generally (vide Genesis 24:60), the term "sister" was here designed to suggest that Rebekah was his own sister, born of the same parents. In propagating this deception Isaac appears to have been actuated by a similar motive to that which impelled his father - for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he (sc. to himself, the words describing the good man's secret apprehensions), the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; - the historian adding, as the explanation of his fears - because she was fair to look upon (vide Genesis 24:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But when the men
אַנְשֵׁ֤י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of that place
הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

asked
וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ (way·yiš·’ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

about his wife,
לְאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (lə·’iš·tōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

he said,
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“She
הִ֑וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is my sister.”
אֲחֹ֣תִי (’ă·ḥō·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he was afraid
יָרֵא֙ (yā·rê)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

to say,
לֵאמֹ֣ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“[She is] my wife,”
אִשְׁתִּ֔י (’iš·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

since he thought to himself,
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

“The men
אַנְשֵׁ֤י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of this place
הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

will kill
יַֽהַרְגֻ֜נִי (ya·har·ḡu·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

me on account of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Rebekah,
רִבְקָ֔ה (riḇ·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she
הִֽיא׃ (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is so beautiful.”
טוֹבַ֥ת (ṭō·w·ḇaṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


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OT Law: Genesis 26:7 The men of the place asked him (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:6
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