Genesis 26:8
New International Version
When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelek king of the Philistines looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

New Living Translation
But some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out his window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah.

English Standard Version
When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife.

Berean Standard Bible
When 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.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

New King James Version
Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife.

New American Standard Bible
Now it came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down through a window, and saw them, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah.

NASB 1995
It came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah.

NASB 1977
And it came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah.

Amplified Bible
It happened when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah his wife.

Christian Standard Bible
When Isaac had been there for some time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Isaac had been there for some time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

Contemporary English Version
After Isaac had been there a long time, King Abimelech looked out a window and saw Isaac hugging and kissing Rebekah.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he had been there a long time, King Abimelech of the Philistines looked out of his window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

Good News Translation
When Isaac had been there for some time, King Abimelech looked down from his window and saw Isaac and Rebecca making love.

International Standard Version
After he had been there awhile, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out through a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

Majority Standard Bible
When 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.

NET Bible
After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out a window and observed Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and look, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

World English Bible
When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when the days have been prolonged to him there, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looks through the window, and sees, and behold, Isaac is playing with his wife Rebekah.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when the days have been prolonged to him there, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looketh through the window, and seeth, and lo, Isaac is playing with Rebekah his wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was when the days there were long to him, and Abimelech king of the Philistines shall bend forward through the window, and will see, and behold, Isaak playing with Rebekah his wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when very many days were passed, and he abode there, Abimelech king of the Palestines looking out through a window, saw him playing with Rebecca his wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when very many days had passed, and he had remained in the same place, Abimelech, king of the Palestinians, gazing through a window, saw him being playful with Rebekah, his wife.

New American Bible
But when they had been there for a long time, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out of a window and saw Isaac fondling his wife Rebekah.

New Revised Standard Version
When Isaac had been there a long time, King Abimelech of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw him fondling his wife Rebekah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass when he had been there a long time that Abimeleck king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah his wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was that when the days grew long to him there, Abimelek the King of the Philistines looked out from a window and he saw Isaaq dancing with Raphqa his wife.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he remained there a long time, and Abimelech the king of Gerara leaned to look through the window, and saw Isaac sporting with Rebecca his wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac Deceives Abimelech
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.” 8 When 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. 9Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.”…

Cross References
Genesis 20:2
Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

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 12:18-19
So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? / Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”

Genesis 20:9-10
Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” / Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”

Genesis 21:22-23
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. / Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

Exodus 2:11-14
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. / After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. / The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?” ...

1 Samuel 21:12-13
Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. / So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.

2 Samuel 11:2-5
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. ...

Proverbs 6:29
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

Proverbs 5:18-20
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever. / Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 7:18-19
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! / For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

Song of Solomon 1:13
My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

Song of Solomon 2:6
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

Matthew 1:18-19
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

a window.

Judges 5:28
The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

Proverbs 7:6
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

Song of Solomon 2:9
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

sporting.

Proverbs 5:18,19
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth…

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Isaac Philistines Playing Prolonged Rebecca Rebekah Sporting Time Wife Window
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Genesis 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.














When Isaac had been there a long time
This phrase indicates a significant passage of time, suggesting that Isaac and Rebekah had settled into the land of the Philistines, specifically in Gerar. The Hebrew root for "long time" (רַב, rab) implies an extended period, which can denote a sense of comfort or complacency in a foreign land. Historically, this reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs, who often sojourned in various territories. The extended stay also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's promises to Isaac, as patience and endurance are often required in the fulfillment of divine plans.

Abimelech king of the Philistines
Abimelech is a title rather than a personal name, akin to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. The Philistines were a significant group in the ancient Near East, often in conflict with the Israelites. The mention of Abimelech highlights the political dynamics of the time, where patriarchs like Isaac had to navigate relationships with local rulers. This interaction underscores the theme of God's people living amidst and sometimes under the authority of foreign powers, yet maintaining their distinct identity and faith.

looked down from a window
The act of looking down from a window suggests a position of oversight and authority. Windows in ancient architecture were often small openings high up in walls, providing a vantage point for observation. This detail emphasizes Abimelech's role as a watchful ruler, concerned with the activities within his domain. It also foreshadows the revelation of Isaac's true relationship with Rebekah, as God often uses the eyes of others to bring truth to light.

and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah
The Hebrew word for "caressing" (מְצַחֵק, metzahek) can also mean "laughing" or "playing," but in this context, it implies a level of intimacy that reveals their true relationship as husband and wife. This moment of vulnerability and affection is pivotal, as it exposes the deception Isaac had employed by claiming Rebekah was his sister. Theologically, this incident reflects the recurring theme of human frailty and the need for integrity. It also serves as a reminder of God's providence, as even in moments of human error, His plans and protection for His people remain steadfast.

(8) Abimelech.--Upon this title of the Philistine monarchs see Note on Genesis 21:22. As eighty years had elapsed since Abraham's sojourn in Gerar, it is highly improbable that the same king was still reigning; but both king and people maintain on this occasion the good character previously deserved. The Philistines, however, at this period, were a feeble colony of strangers, and were kept in restraint by a sense of their weakness. They had received a vast accession of strength from abroad before they became formidable enemies of the Israelites at the end of the period of the Judges. (See Genesis 10:14.)

Verse 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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Isaac had been there
שָׁם֙ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

a long time,
הַיָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

Abimelech
אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

looked down
וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף (way·yaš·qêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8259: To overhang, look out or down

from
בְּעַ֖ד (bə·‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

the window
הַֽחַלּ֑וֹן (ha·ḥal·lō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2474: A window

and was surprised to see
וַיַּ֗רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

Isaac
יִצְחָק֙ (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

caressing
מְצַחֵ֔ק (mə·ṣa·ḥêq)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport

his wife
אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Rebekah.
רִבְקָ֥ה (riḇ·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac


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OT Law: Genesis 26:8 It happened when he had been there (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 26:7
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