Genesis 26:7-10

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 26:7

And the men of the place asked him of his wife ,.... The inhabitants of Gerar inquired of Isaac who she was, whether she was his wife or not, or in what relation she stood in to him; this was not a mere civil inquiry, but what arose from the prevalence of lust in them towards her; and yet it was under some restraint, they being not so abandoned to their lusts as to exercise them upon any; not upon a man's wife, the sin of adultery being detestable to them, though that of fornication was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:8

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time ,.... Perhaps some years: for though it is in the original, "when days were prolonged to him there" F2 כי ארכו לו שם הימים "cum prolongati essent ei ibi dies", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt. ; yet days are sometimes put for years: that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window ; in his own palace, near to which, in all likelihood, were the apartments that Isaac and Rebekah dwelt in; and this he did... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:9

And Abimelech called Isaac ,.... Sent a messenger to desire him to come to him: and said, behold, of a surety she is thy wife : and then perhaps told him of what he had observed that passed between them; which was a clear proof that they must be man and wife, or he would never have took such liberties with her: and how saidst thou, she is my sister ? what reason hadst thou for it? what could induce thee to say so? and Isaac said unto him ; not alleging, as Abraham did, any... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:7

He said, She is my sister - It is very strange that in the same place, and in similar circumstances, Isaac should have denied his wife, precisely as his father had done before him! It is natural to ask, Did Abraham never mention this circumstance to his son? Probably be did not, as he was justly ashamed of his weakness on the occasion - the only blot in his character; the son, therefore, not being forewarned, was not armed against the temptation. It may not be well in general for parents to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:8

Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife - Whatever may be the precise meaning of the word, it evidently implies that there were liberties taken and freedom used on the occasion, which were not lawful but between man and wife. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:7

Verse 7 7.And the men of the place asked him. Moses relates that Isaac was tempted in the same manner as his father Abraham, in having his wife taken from him; and without doubt he was so led by the example of his father, that he, being instructed by the similarity of the circumstances, might become associated with him in his faith. Nevertheless, on this point he ought rather to have avoided than imitated his father’s fault; for no doubt he well remembered that the chastity of his mother had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:8

Verse 8 8.Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out at a window. Truly admirable is the kind forbearance of God, in not only condescending to pardon the twofold fault of his servant, but in stretching forth his hand, and in wonderfully averting, by the application of a speedy remedy, the evil which he would have brought upon himself. God did not suffer — what twice had occurred to Abraham — that his wife should be torn from his bosom; but stirred up a heathen king, mildly, and without... read more

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