Genesis 26:8-11

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 26:8

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

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 26:8

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

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 26:8

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

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

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