King James Version

What Does Genesis 26:10 Mean?

Genesis 26:10 in the King James Version says “And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and th...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.”

Genesis 26:10 · KJV

Context

8

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.

9

And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

10

And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

11

And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

12

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold : and the LORD blessed him. received: Heb. found

Read Genesis 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien w... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ2 of 15

“And Abimelech”

H40

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

מַה3 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

זֹּ֖את4 of 15
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עָשִׂ֣יתָ5 of 15

“What is this thou hast done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָּ֑נוּ6 of 15
H0
כִּ֠מְעַט7 of 15

“might lightly”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

שָׁכַ֞ב8 of 15

“have lien”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אַחַ֤ד9 of 15

“unto us one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הָעָם֙10 of 15

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶת11 of 15
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אִשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ12 of 15

“with thy wife”

H802

a woman

וְהֵֽבֵאתָ֥13 of 15

“and thou shouldest have brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֵ֖ינוּ14 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אָשָֽׁם׃15 of 15

“guiltiness”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 26:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 20:9-10Genesis 12:18-19

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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