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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 26:9 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/26-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/01_Gen_26_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 26:9 - Isaac Deceives Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, So she is really your wife! How could you say, 'She is my sister'? 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Why did you say, &#8216She is my sister&#8217?&#8221 Isaac answered him, &#8220Because I thought I might lose my life on account of her.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/26.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/genesis/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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.’” <a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/26.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/26.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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.’” <a href="/nasb/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, &#8220Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, &#8216She is my sister &#8216?&#8221 And Isaac said to him, &#8220Because I said, &#8216I might die on account of her.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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.’” <a href="/lsb/genesis/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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.’” <a href="/amp/genesis/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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].” <a href="/csb/genesis/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, &#8220So she is really your wife! How could you say, &#8216She is my sister?&#8221 Isaac answered him, &#8220Because I thought I might die on account of her.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/genesis/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/genesis/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/genesis/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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." <a href="/gnt/genesis/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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." <a href="/isv/genesis/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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.'" <a href="/msb/genesis/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/genesis/26.htm">NET Bible</a> 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." <a href="/nheb/genesis/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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.'" <a href="/wbt/genesis/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/genesis/26.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> 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.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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.' <a href="/slt/genesis/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/26.htm">New American Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> 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.’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/genesis/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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. <a href="/parallel/genesis/26-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6095" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/26.htm">Isaac Deceives Abimelech</a> …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. 9<a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">sent for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3327.htm" title="3327: lə·yiṣ·ḥāq (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- He laughs, son of Abraham and Sarah. From tsachaq; laughter; Jitschak, son of Abraham.">Isaac</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">“So she</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">is really</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·tə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">your wife!</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: wə·’êḵ (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">could you say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">‘She</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">is my sister’?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3327.htm" title="3327: yiṣ·ḥāq (N-proper-ms) -- He laughs, son of Abraham and Sarah. From tsachaq; laughter; Jitschak, son of Abraham.">Isaac</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I thought</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">I might</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ’ā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on account of her.”</a> 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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Genesis 12:11-13</a> 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.” <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2-5</a> 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? ... <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Genesis 20:9-10</a> 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?” <a href="/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18-19</a> 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!” <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11-13</a> 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.”’” <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a> You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. <a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19</a> Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. <a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Proverbs 19:9</a> A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. <a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm">Proverbs 21:6</a> Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. <a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Colossians 3:9</a> Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, <a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a> Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> 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. <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a> 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.” <a href="/1_john/2-21.htm">1 John 2:21</a> 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. <a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a> For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/24-49.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/25-32.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/20-12.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Surety</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/27-21.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/43-9.htm">Surety</a> <a href="/genesis/27-42.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 26</div>1. <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.</a> 7. <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/26-12.htm">He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">He digs wells.</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/26-23.htm">God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him; </a> 26. <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">and Abimelech makes a covenant with him.</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Esau's wives.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, Abimelech, likely a title for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt, demonstrates the political structure of the time. This encounter mirrors a previous event with Abraham and Abimelech, suggesting a recurring theme of divine protection and human fear. The Philistines were a significant presence in the region, often interacting with the patriarchs.“So she is really your wife! This revelation highlights the importance of marriage covenants in ancient Near Eastern culture. The sanctity of marriage was recognized even by those outside the covenant community, indicating a universal understanding of marital fidelity. The situation underscores the potential consequences of deception.How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac's deception echoes Abraham's earlier actions in <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12 and 20</a>, showing a pattern of fear-driven decisions among the patriarchs. This repetition emphasizes human frailty and the tendency to rely on self-preservation rather than trust in God's promises. It also reflects the cultural practice of identifying women as sisters to protect them, albeit through deceit.Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.” Isaac's fear for his life reveals the perceived threat from foreign rulers and the vulnerability of sojourners in a foreign land. This response shows a lack of faith in God's protection, contrasting with the divine assurances given to Isaac. It also foreshadows the ultimate protection and deliverance found in Christ, who faced death for the sake of His bride, the Church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a> The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In this passage, he repeats a mistake similar to his father's by deceiving Abimelech about his wife, Rebekah. 2. <a href="/topical/r/rebekah.htm">Rebekah</a> Isaac's wife, who is presented as his sister to Abimelech out of fear for Isaac's life. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The king of the Philistines in Gerar, who confronts Isaac about his deception. His name means "my father is king" in Hebrew. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a> A Philistine city where Isaac settles during a famine. It is the same place where Abraham previously deceived Abimelech regarding Sarah. 5. <a href="/topical/d/deception.htm">Deception</a> The event of Isaac lying about Rebekah's identity, fearing for his life, which mirrors Abraham's earlier actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_cycle_of_sin.htm">The Cycle of Sin</a> Isaac's actions reflect a pattern of behavior seen in his father, Abraham. This reminds us of the importance of breaking generational cycles of sin through faith and obedience. <a href="/topical/f/fear_vs._faith.htm">Fear vs. Faith</a> Isaac's fear led him to deceive. As believers, we are called to trust in God's protection rather than succumbing to fear. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_relationships.htm">Integrity in Relationships</a> Isaac's deception could have jeopardized his relationship with Rebekah and Abimelech. Maintaining integrity is crucial in all our relationships. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Isaac's failure, God remains faithful to His promises. This reassures us that God's plans are not thwarted by human mistakes. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_the_past.htm">Learning from the Past</a> Isaac's account encourages us to learn from the past mistakes of others and ourselves, seeking God's wisdom to act differently.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 26</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'forget_not_his_benefits'_mean.htm">Why is Isaac afraid?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_isaac_afraid.htm">Why is Isaac afraid?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_abimelech_in_genesis_26_8_related.htm">How do we reconcile the figure called Abimelech here (Genesis 26:8) with the Abimelech who interacted with Abraham generations earlier?</a> <a href="/q/does_isaac's_lie_in_gen_26_7_mirror_abraham's.htm">In Genesis 26:7, does Isaac's deception about Rebekah mirror Abraham's story too closely, suggesting the same incident was repeated or borrowed?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/26-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> 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 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read Isaac לְיִצְחָ֗ק (lə·yiṣ·ḥāq) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3327.htm">Strong's 3327: </a> Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah and said, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “So she הִ֔וא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is really אַ֣ךְ (’aḵ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely your wife! אִשְׁתְּךָ֙ (’iš·tə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female How וְאֵ֥יךְ (wə·’êḵ) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> How?, how!, where could you say, אָמַ֖רְתָּ (’ā·mar·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘She הִ֑וא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is my sister’?” אֲחֹ֣תִי (’ă·ḥō·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> Sister -- a sister Isaac יִצְחָ֔ק (yiṣ·ḥāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3327.htm">Strong's 3327: </a> Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah replied, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I thought אָמַ֔רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say I might פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest die אָמ֖וּת (’ā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill on account of her.” עָלֶֽיהָ׃ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/26-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 26:9 Abimelech called Isaac and said Behold surely (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/26-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 26:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 26:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/26-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 26:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 26:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>