So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, "Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death." So AbimelechThe name "Abimelech" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "my father is king." This title was often used for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. Abimelech's role here is significant as a ruler who recognizes the sanctity of Isaac's marriage. Historically, the Philistines were a powerful group in the region, and their interactions with the patriarchs are pivotal in understanding the socio-political dynamics of the time. warned all the people
The act of warning indicates a formal proclamation, suggesting Abimelech's authority and the seriousness of the decree. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's word was law, and such proclamations were binding. This warning reflects a protective stance over Isaac and Rebekah, acknowledging the divine favor upon them. saying, 'Whoever harms
The phrase "whoever harms" implies a broad and inclusive warning against any form of injury or wrongdoing. The Hebrew root for "harms" can also mean "touch" or "strike," indicating both physical harm and broader implications of wrongdoing. This reflects a deep respect for personal integrity and divine protection. this man or his wife
The specific mention of "this man or his wife" highlights the sanctity of marriage and the protection of family units. In the biblical narrative, the protection of Isaac and Rebekah is crucial for the continuation of God's covenant promises. This phrase underscores the importance of marital fidelity and divine blessing in the lineage of the patriarchs. shall surely be put to death
The phrase "shall surely be put to death" is a strong deterrent, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. In Hebrew, the construction often used here is an emphatic form, indicating certainty and severity. This reflects the ancient legal systems where capital punishment was a means to maintain order and justice. The protection of Isaac and Rebekah is thus seen as a matter of divine justice, ensuring the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham's descendants. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe king of the Philistines in Gerar, who interacts with Isaac. His name means "my father is king" in Hebrew, and he plays a role in protecting Isaac and Rebekah. 2. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, and the father of Jacob and Esau. He is living in Gerar during a famine and has interactions with Abimelech. 3. RebekahIsaac's wife, who is involved in the deception that leads to Abimelech's decree. Her presence in Gerar is central to the events of this chapter. 4. GerarA Philistine city where Isaac settles during a famine. It is a place of both conflict and protection for Isaac. 5. The DecreeAbimelech's command to his people not to harm Isaac or Rebekah, under penalty of death. This decree is significant for the protection it offers. Teaching Points Divine ProtectionGod's providence is evident in the protection of Isaac and Rebekah. Even in foreign lands, God ensures their safety through unexpected means. Integrity and DeceptionThe account challenges us to consider the role of integrity in our lives. Isaac's initial deception contrasts with the eventual truth and protection he receives. God's FaithfulnessDespite human failings, God's promises to Abraham are upheld through Isaac. This reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. The Role of AuthorityAbimelech's decree shows how God can use secular authority to accomplish His purposes. It encourages respect for authority as part of God's order. Fear and FaithIsaac's fear led to deception, yet God's intervention shows that faith in His protection is always warranted. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abimelech's decree reflect God's protection over Isaac and Rebekah, and what does this teach us about God's care for His people today? 2. In what ways does the account of Isaac in Gerar parallel the experiences of Abraham, and what can we learn from these similarities? 3. How can we apply the lesson of integrity from Isaac's account to our own lives, especially when faced with fear or uncertainty? 4. What role does secular authority play in God's plan, as seen in Abimelech's actions, and how should this influence our view of government and leadership? 5. How does the theme of fear versus faith in this passage challenge us to trust God more fully in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 20This chapter recounts a similar event involving Abraham, Sarah, and another Abimelech, highlighting a recurring theme of God's protection over the patriarchs. Psalm 105:14-15These verses speak of God's protection over His anointed ones, which can be seen in Abimelech's decree to protect Isaac and Rebekah. Romans 8:31This verse emphasizes that if God is for us, no one can be against us, reflecting the divine protection Isaac experiences. People Abimelech, Ahuzzath, Bashemath, Basmath, Beeri, Elon, Esau, Isaac, Judith, Phichol, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Esek, Gerar, Rehoboth, Shibah, Sitnah, Valley of GerarTopics Abimelech, Abim'elech, Anyone, Certainly, Charged, Commanded, Commandeth, Death, Die, Dying, Isaac, Molests, Orders, Saying, Surely, Touches, Toucheth, Touching, Warned, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 26:1-11 8800 prejudice Genesis 26:1-14 5503 rich, the Library The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
'Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth. And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
"Thou art now the blessed of the Lord."--Genesis 26:29. THESE words truly describe the position of many whom I address at this time. There are hundreds here upon whom my eye can rest, and to any one of whom I might point with this finger, or rather, to whom I might extend this hand, to give a hearty shake, and say, "Thou art now the blessed of the Lord." I need not say it in the same spirit, nor for the same reason, that the Philistines did. They had behaved basely towards Isaac, and now that he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Whether Every Lie is a Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that not every lie is a sin. For it is evident that the evangelists did not sin in the writing of the Gospel. Yet they seem to have told something false: since their accounts of the words of Christ and of others often differ from one another: wherefore seemingly one of them must have given an untrue account. Therefore not every lie is a sin. Objection 2: Further, no one is rewarded by God for sin. But the midwives of Egypt were rewarded by God for a lie, for it is stated that …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Elucidation.
The conduct of Father Abraham, although not approved of by Inspiration, but simply recorded (Gen. xxvi. 7), gave early Christians an opinion that the wicked may be justly foiled, by equivocation and deception, for the preservation of innocence or the life of the innocent. In such case the person deceived, they might argue, is not injured, but benefited (Gen. xxvi. 10), being saved from committing violence and murder. The Corinthian maiden was accustomed to be veiled (as Tertullian intimates), and …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob, …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
22. And to holy David indeed it might more justly be said, that he ought not to have been angry; no, not with one however ungrateful and rendering evil for good; yet if, as man, anger did steal over him, he ought not to have let it so prevail, that he should swear to do a thing which either by giving way to his rage he should do, or by breaking his oath leave undone. But to the other, set as he was amid the libidinous frenzy of the Sodomites, who would dare to say, "Although thy guests in thine own …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 26:11 NIVGenesis 26:11 NLTGenesis 26:11 ESVGenesis 26:11 NASBGenesis 26:11 KJV
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