Genesis 26:10-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 26:6-11

Isaac had now laid aside all thoughts of going to Egypt, and, in obedience to the heavenly vision, sets up his staff in Gerar, the country in which he was born (Gen. 26:6), yet there he enters into temptation, the same temptation that his good father had been once and again surprised and overcome by, namely, to deny his wife, and to give out that she was his sister. Observe, I. How he sinned, Gen. 26:7. Because his wife was handsome, he fancied the Philistines would find some way or other to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:10

And Abimelech said, what is this thou hast done unto us ?.... By entertaining suspicions and jealousies of us as bad men, and by exposing us to the temptation of committing iniquity; why hast thou dealt thus with us, and what have we done, or is in our character, that thou shouldest act after this manner? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife ; it is much one or other had not before this time, not looking upon it criminal to have to do with a single woman, when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:11

And Abimelech charged all his people ,.... All his subjects throughout his kingdom, and particularly the inhabitants of Gerar, and more especially his courtiers and servants about him: saying, he that toucheth this man or his wife ; that does any injury to one either by words or deeds, or behaves immodestly to the other, or attempts to ravish her; this being sometimes used as a modest expression carnal knowledge of a woman; or that does either of them any harm or hurt in any respect... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:10

Thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us - It is likely that Abimelech might have had some knowledge of God's intentions concerning the family of Abraham, and that it must be kept free from all impure and alien mixtures; and that consequently, had he or any of his people taken Rebekah, the Divine judgment might have fallen upon the land. Abimelech was a good and holy man; and he appears to have considered adultery as a grievous and destructive crime. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:11

He that toucheth - He who injures Isaac or defiles Rebekah shall certainly die for it. Death was the punishment for adultery among the Canaanites, Philistines, and Hebrews. See Genesis 38:24 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:10

Verse 10 10.What is this thou hast done unto us? The Lord does not chastise Isaac as he deserved, perhaps because he was not so fully endued with patience as his father was; and, therefore, lest the seizing of his wife should dishearten him, God mercifully prevents it. Yet, that the censure may produce the deeper shame, God constitutes a heathen his master and his reprover. We may add, that Abimelech chides his folly, not so much with the design of injuring him, as of upbraiding him. It ought,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:11

Verse 11 11.And Abimelech charged all his people. In denouncing capital punishment against any who should do injury to this stranger, we may suppose him to have issued this edict as a special privilege; for it isnot customary thus rigidly to avenge every kind of injury. Whence, then, arose this disposition on the part of the king to prefer Isaac to all the native inhabitants of the country, and almost to treat him as an equal, except that some portion of the divine majesty shone forth in him,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:1-35

Line upon line, in God's teaching. Isaac, like his father, has his time of sojourn among the Philistines. The events of his intercourse with the Abimelech of his day resemble those of the former patriarch, though there are differences which show that the recurrence is historical . I. GOD REPEATS HIS LESSONS that they may make the deeper impression. The intention of the record is to preserve a certain line of Divine guidance . Isaac trod in the footsteps of Abraham. We have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:7-11

A good man's transgression. I. A LIE TOLD . 1. An unmitigated lie. It was scarcely entitled to claim the apology of being what Abraham's falsehood was, an equivocation, Rebekah not being Isaac's half-sister, but cousin. 2. A deliberate lie. Asked about his relations to Rebekah, he coolly replies that they are sister and brother. He had no right to suppose his interrogators had ulterior designs against Rebekah's honor. 3. A cowardly lie. All falsehoods spring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 26:10

And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lain with thy wife ,—literally, within a little (cf. Psalms 73:2 ; Psalms 119:87 ) one of the people might have lain with thy wife— and thou shouldest — i . e . (within a little) thou mightest— have brought (or caused to come) guiltiness upon us (cf. Genesis 20:9 , where חַטָּאָה is used instead of אָשָׁם ). read more

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