Genesis 26:8

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 26:8

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

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

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

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 26:8

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time (literally, when were prolonged to him there the days ), that Abimelech king of the philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife — i . e . caressing and using playful liberties with her, which showed she was not a sister, but a wife— παίζοντα ( LXX .), jocantem (Vulgate). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 26:1-35

- The Events of Isaac’s Life5. משׁמרת mı̂shmeret, “charge, ordinance.” מציה mı̂tsvâh, “command,” special order. חק choq, “decree, statute,” engraven on stone or metal. תירה tôrâh, “law,” doctrine, system of moral truth.10. עשׂק ‛êśeq, ‘Eseq, “strife.”21. שׂטנה śı̂ṭnâh, Sitnah, “opposition.”22. רחבית rechobôt, Rechoboth, “room.”26. אחזת 'ǎchuzat, Achuzzath, “possession.”33. שׁבעה shı̂b‛âh, Shib’ah, “seven; oath.”34. יהוּדית yehûdı̂yt, Jehudith, “praised.” בארי be'ērı̂y, Beeri, “of a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 26:8

Genesis 26:8. This Abimelech was not the same that was in Abraham’s days, (chapter 20.,) for this was near a hundred years after; but that was the common name of the Philistine kings, as Cesar of the Roman emperors. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:1-33

Isaac and Abimelech (26:1-33)When a famine created hardship in Canaan, Isaac proved his faith and obedience by refusing to leave the land. He remained in the Palestine region on the south coast of Canaan, believing that God would provide for him and his household in the land God promised him. But he lacked the faith to trust God to protect him from violence and, like his father, he lied to protect himself (26:1-11; cf. 12:10-20, 20:1-18).God blessed Isaac as he had promised, but Isaac’s farming... read more

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