King James Version

What Does Genesis 26:9 Mean?

Genesis 26:9 in the King James Version says “And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Is...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 26:9 · KJV

Context

7

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.

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.

Read Genesis 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She ... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨א1 of 20

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ2 of 20

“And Abimelech”

H40

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

יִצְחָ֔ק3 of 20

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אָמַ֔רְתִּי4 of 20

“and how saidst”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַ֣ךְ5 of 20

“Behold of a surety”

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הִנֵּ֤ה6 of 20
H2009

lo!

אִשְׁתְּךָ֙7 of 20

“she is thy wife”

H802

a woman

הִ֔וא8 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְאֵ֥יךְ9 of 20
H349

how? or how!; also where

אָמַ֔רְתִּי10 of 20

“and how saidst”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲחֹ֣תִי11 of 20

“thou She is my sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

הִ֑וא12 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אָמַ֔רְתִּי13 of 20

“and how saidst”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙14 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִצְחָ֔ק15 of 20

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

כִּ֣י16 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָמַ֔רְתִּי17 of 20

“and how saidst”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פֶּן18 of 20
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

אָמ֖וּת19 of 20

“Lest I die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

עָלֶֽיהָ׃20 of 20
H5921

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

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 26:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 26 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes