Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.” New Living Translation When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.” English Standard Version When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. Berean Standard Bible But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” King James Bible And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. New King James Version And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.” New American Standard Bible When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is beautiful.” NASB 1995 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” NASB 1977 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” Legacy Standard Bible Then the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful in appearance.” Amplified Bible The men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife”—thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is very beautiful.” Christian Standard Bible When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.” Holman Christian Standard Bible When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.” American Standard Version and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, My wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. Contemporary English Version with his beautiful wife Rebekah. He was afraid that someone might kill him to get her, and so he told everyone that Rebekah was his sister. English Revised Version and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, My wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah: because she was fair to look upon. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the men of that place asked about his wife, Isaac answered, "She's my sister." He was afraid to say "my wife." He thought that the men of that place would kill him to get Rebekah, because she was an attractive woman. Good News Translation When the men there asked about his wife, he said that she was his sister. He would not admit that she was his wife, because he was afraid that the men there would kill him to get Rebecca, who was very beautiful. International Standard Version Later on, the men of that place asked about his wife, so he replied, "She's my sister," because he was afraid to call her "my wife." He kept thinking, "…otherwise, the men around here will kill me on account of Rebekah, since she's very beautiful." Majority Standard Bible But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, ?She is my sister.? For he was afraid to say, ?She is my wife,? since he thought to himself, ?The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.? NET Bible When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he replied, "She is my sister." He was afraid to say, "She is my wife," for he thought to himself, "The men of this place will kill me to get Rebekah because she is very beautiful." New Heart English Bible The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "My wife," lest, he thought, "the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is very beautiful." Webster's Bible Translation And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. World English Bible The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand men of the place ask him of his wife, and he says, “She [is] my sister”: for he has been afraid to say, “My wife—lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, for she [is] of good appearance.” Young's Literal Translation and men of the place ask him of his wife, and he saith, 'She is my sister:' for he hath been afraid to say, 'My wife -- lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, for she is of good appearance.' Smith's Literal Translation And the men of the place will ask concerning his wife; and he will say, She is my sister: for he will be afraid to say, My wife, lest the men of the place will kill me for Rebekah, because she is good in appearance. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when he was asked by the men of that place, concerning his wife, he answered: She is my sister; for he was afraid to confess that she was his wife, thinking lest perhaps they would like him because of her beauty. Catholic Public Domain Version And when he was questioned by the men of that place about his wife, he answered, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to confess her to be his mate, thinking that perhaps they would put him to death because of her beauty. New American Bible When the men of the place asked questions about his wife, he answered, “She is my sister.” He was afraid that, if he called her his wife, the men of the place would kill him on account of Rebekah, since she was beautiful. New Revised Standard Version When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “My wife,” thinking, “or else the men of the place might kill me for the sake of Rebekah, because she is attractive in appearance.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the men of the place asked him concerning his wife; and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife; lest the men of the place should kill him on account of Rebekah, because she was fair to look upon. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the men of the place asked him about his wife and he said, “She is my sister”, because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife”, lest the men of the place would kill him, because Raphqa was beautiful in her appearance. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said: 'She is my sister'; for he feared to say: 'My wife'; 'lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is fair to look upon.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the men of the place questioned him concerning Rebecca his wife, and he said, She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the place should slay him because of Rebecca, because she was fair. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Isaac Deceives Abimelech6So Isaac settled in Gerar. 7But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” 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.… Cross References Genesis 12:11-13 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.” Genesis 20:2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. Leviticus 19:11 You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another. Deuteronomy 5:20 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 1 Samuel 21:2 “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. 1 Samuel 27:10 who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” 2 Samuel 11:2-4 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. 1 Kings 21:8-10 Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. Jeremiah 9:3-5 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. Hosea 4:2 Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Treasury of Scripture And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look on. She is my sister. Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. Genesis 20:2,5,12,13 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah… Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. fair. Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. Jump to Previous Account Afraid Beautiful Countenance Death Fair Feared Fearing Kill Questioned Rebecca Rebekah Sake Sister Slay Thinking Thought WifeJump to Next Account Afraid Beautiful Countenance Death Fair Feared Fearing Kill Questioned Rebecca Rebekah Sake Sister Slay Thinking Thought WifeGenesis 26 1. Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him.7. He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife. 12. He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity. 18. He digs wells. 23. God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him; 26. and Abimelech makes a covenant with him. 34. Esau's wives. But when the men of that place asked about his wife This phrase sets the scene in Gerar, a Philistine city. The men of the place are likely the local inhabitants or officials. The inquiry about Isaac's wife reflects the cultural norms of the time, where a woman's marital status was of significant interest, especially in terms of alliances and social standing. This situation mirrors a similar event involving Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 20, highlighting a recurring theme of fear and deception in the patriarchal narratives. he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In this passage, he repeats a deception similar to his father Abraham's, fearing for his life due to his wife's beauty. 2. Rebekah Isaac's wife, known for her beauty. Her presence in Gerar prompts Isaac's fear and subsequent lie. 3. The Men of Gerar Inhabitants of the region where Isaac and Rebekah are staying. Their inquiry about Rebekah's identity triggers Isaac's deception. 4. Gerar A Philistine city where Isaac temporarily resides. It is ruled by King Abimelech, who later discovers Isaac's deception. 5. Fear and Deception The event centers around Isaac's fear for his life, leading him to deceive the men of Gerar by claiming Rebekah is his sister. Teaching Points The Cycle of Fear and DeceptionFear can lead to sinful actions, such as deception. Isaac's fear for his life led him to lie about Rebekah's identity. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's protection rather than resorting to deceit. Generational Patterns Isaac's actions mirror those of his father, Abraham. This suggests that patterns of behavior, both good and bad, can be passed down through generations. Christians should be mindful of the examples they set for future generations. The Beauty and Responsibility of Truth While Rebekah's beauty was a source of fear for Isaac, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of truth. Believers are called to uphold truth, even in challenging circumstances, trusting God to handle the outcomes. Trusting God's Sovereignty Isaac's fear indicates a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. Christians are encouraged to place their trust in God's plan and protection, even when circumstances seem threatening.(7) He said, She is my sister.--We have already seen that Abraham at Gerar showed no consciousness of having done wrong in denying his wife (Genesis 20:2); and we now find Isaac imitating his example with even less reason for his conduct. The circumstances are, however, different. It is the people who inquire about Isaac's relation to Rebekah, and though she was "fair to look upon," yet no annoyance followed upon his denial of her. The king after "a long time" detects their intimacy; but there are no presents, and no marks of respect to Rebekah, and no friendship. It is only after long quarrels, during which Isaac is obliged to withdraw to a long distance from Gerar, that finally peace is made between them.Verse 7. - And the men of the place (i.e. the inhabitants of Gerar) asked him (literally, asked, or made inquiries; probably first at each other, though ultimately the interrogations might reach Isaac himself) of his wife (being in all likelihood fascinated by her beauty); and he said, - falling into the same infirmity as Abraham (Genesis 12:13; Genesis 20:2) - She is my sister: - which was certainly an equivocation, since, although sometimes used to designate a female relative generally (vide Genesis 24:60), the term "sister" was here designed to suggest that Rebekah was his own sister, born of the same parents. In propagating this deception Isaac appears to have been actuated by a similar motive to that which impelled his father - for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he (sc. to himself, the words describing the good man's secret apprehensions), the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; - the historian adding, as the explanation of his fears - because she was fair to look upon (vide Genesis 24:16). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But when the menאַנְשֵׁ֤י (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of that place הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition asked וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ (way·yiš·’ă·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand about his wife, לְאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (lə·’iš·tōw) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female he said, וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “She הִ֑וא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is my sister.” אֲחֹ֣תִי (’ă·ḥō·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister For כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he was afraid יָרֵא֙ (yā·rê) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten to say, לֵאמֹ֣ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “[She is] my wife,” אִשְׁתִּ֔י (’iš·tî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female since he thought to himself, פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest “The men אַנְשֵׁ֤י (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of this place הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition will kill יַֽהַרְגֻ֜נִי (ya·har·ḡu·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent me on account of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Rebekah, רִבְקָ֔ה (riḇ·qāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction she הִֽיא׃ (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is so beautiful.” טוֹבַ֥ת (ṭō·w·ḇaṯ) Adjective - feminine singular construct Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good Links Genesis 26:7 NIVGenesis 26:7 NLT Genesis 26:7 ESV Genesis 26:7 NASB Genesis 26:7 KJV Genesis 26:7 BibleApps.com Genesis 26:7 Biblia Paralela Genesis 26:7 Chinese Bible Genesis 26:7 French Bible Genesis 26:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 26:7 The men of the place asked him (Gen. 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