Genesis 26:9
New International Version
So Abimelek summoned Isaac and said, “She is really your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac answered him, “Because I thought I might lose my life on account of her.”

New Living Translation
Immediately, Abimelech called for Isaac and exclaimed, “She is obviously your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” “Because I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me,” Isaac replied.

English Standard Version
So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she certainly is your wife! So how is it that you said, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘otherwise I might be killed on account of her.’”

NASB 1995
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, ‘She is my sister ‘?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘I might die on account of her.’”

NASB 1977
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife! How then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’”

Amplified Bible
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “See here, Rebekah is in fact your wife! How did you [dare to] say to me, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I thought I might be killed because of her [desirability].”

Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’? ” Isaac answered him, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister?” Isaac answered him, “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.

Contemporary English Version
Abimelech called him in and said, "Rebekah must be your wife! Why did you say she is your sister?" "Because I thought someone would kill me," Isaac answered.

English Revised 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 for her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abimelech called for Isaac and said, "So she's really your wife! How could you say, 'She's my sister'?" Isaac answered him, "I thought I would be killed because of her."

Good News Translation
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, "So she is your wife! Why did you say she was your sister?" He answered, "I thought I would be killed if I said she was my wife."

International Standard Version
So Abimelech called Isaac and confronted him. "She is definitely your wife!" he accused him, "So why did you claim, 'She's my sister?'" Isaac responded, "Because I had thought '…otherwise, I'll die on account of her.'"

Majority 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.”

NET Bible
So Abimelech summoned Isaac and said, "She is really your wife! Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac replied, "Because I thought someone might kill me to get her."

New Heart English Bible
Abimelech called Isaac, and said, "Look, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, 'She is my sister?'" Isaac said to him, "Because I thought, 'Lest I die because of her.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, surely she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? and Isaac said to him, Because I said, Lest I should die on her account.

World English Bible
Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die because of her.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abimelech calls for Isaac and says, “Behold, she [is] surely your wife; and how could you have said, She [is] my sister?” And Isaac says to him, “Because I said, Lest I die for her.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abimelech calleth for Isaac, and saith, 'Lo, she is surely thy wife; and how hast thou said, She is my sister?' and Isaac saith unto him, 'Because I said, Lest I die for her.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech will call to Isaak, and will say, Surely, behold, she thy wife; and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaak will say to him, Because I said, Lest I shall die for her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And calling for him, he said: It is evident she is thy wife: why didst thou feign her to be thy sister? He answered: I feared lest I should die for her sake.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And summoning him, he said: “It is clear that she is your wife. Why did you falsely claim her to be your sister?” He answered, “I was afraid, lest I might die because of her.”

New American Bible
He called for Isaac and said: “She must certainly be your wife! How could you have said, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “I thought I might lose my life on her account.”

New Revised Standard Version
So Abimelech called for Isaac, and said, “So she is your wife! Why then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought I might die because of her.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So Abimeleck called Isaac, and said, Behold, she is your wife; how then did you say, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I said, Lest I may die on account of her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek called to Isaaq and said to him, “Behold, she is your wife; how were you saying ‘she is my sister?’” Isaaq said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I shall die because of her.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said to him, Is she then thy wife? why hast thou said, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, I did so, for I said, Lest at any time I die on her account.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac Deceives Abimelech
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. 9Abimelech 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.” 10“What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.”…

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 20:2-5
Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. / One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” / Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent? ...

Genesis 20:9-10
Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” / Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”

Genesis 12:18-19
So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? / Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”

Genesis 20:11-13
Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ / Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife. / So when God had me journey from my father’s house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is how you can show your loyalty to me: Wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

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

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.

Proverbs 21:6
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

1 John 2:21
I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is your wife; and how said you, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Account Clear Death Die Fear Isaac Really Sister Summoned Surely Surety Thought Wife
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Abimelech Abim'elech Account Clear Death Die Fear Isaac Really Sister Summoned Surely Surety 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.














So Abimelech summoned Isaac
The name "Abimelech" is a title used for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. This particular Abimelech is likely a successor to the one who interacted with Abraham. The act of summoning indicates a position of authority and concern. Historically, the Philistines were a significant presence in the region, often interacting with the patriarchs. This summoning reflects the diplomatic and sometimes tense relationships between the patriarchs and local rulers.

and said, 'She is really your wife!
The phrase "really your wife" underscores the gravity of Isaac's deception. In Hebrew, the word for "wife" is "ishah," which signifies a deep, covenantal relationship. Abimelech's realization points to the moral and social implications of Isaac's lie. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriage was a sacred institution, and violating it could lead to severe consequences.

So why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?
This question highlights the recurring theme of fear and self-preservation seen in the patriarchs. The phrase "She is my sister" echoes Abraham's earlier deception in Genesis 20. The repetition of this scenario suggests a familial pattern of behavior driven by fear. It also reflects the precariousness of living as a foreigner in a land where one's safety was not guaranteed.

Isaac replied, 'Because I thought I might die on account of her.'
Isaac's response reveals his fear and lack of trust in God's protection. The phrase "I might die" indicates a perceived threat to his life, a common fear in patriarchal narratives. This fear led him to compromise his integrity. Historically, the fear of being killed for one's wife was not unfounded, as ancient societies often had little regard for the lives of foreigners. Isaac's admission is a moment of vulnerability, showing his human frailty and the ongoing struggle to fully trust in God's promises.

Verse 9. - 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 (sc. in my heart, or to myself), Lest I die for her.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Abimelech
אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

sent for
וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Isaac
לְיִצְחָ֗ק (lə·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

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

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

is really
אַ֣ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

your wife!
אִשְׁתְּךָ֙ (’iš·tə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

How
וְאֵ֥יךְ (wə·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

could you say,
אָמַ֖רְתָּ (’ā·mar·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second 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

Isaac
יִצְחָ֔ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

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

“Because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I thought
אָמַ֔רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

I might
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

die
אָמ֖וּת (’ā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

on account of her.”
עָלֶֽיהָ׃ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Law: Genesis 26:9 Abimelech called Isaac and said Behold surely (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:8
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