Genesis 26:9

9 Abimelech called for Isaac and said, "So she's really your wife! How could you say, 'She's my sister'?" Isaac answered him, "I thought I would be killed because of her."

Genesis 26:9 Meaning and 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 relation that was between them before marriage: because I said;
that is, within himself, for, he did not speak it out to others: lest I die for her;
for her sake, that another might have and enjoy her; it was fear of losing his life that led him to take such a step, and give out that she was his sister.

Genesis 26:9 In-Context

7 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.

8 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.

9 Abimelech called for Isaac and said, "So she's really your wife! How could you say, 'She's my sister'?" Isaac answered him, "I thought I would be killed because of her."

10 Then Abimelech said, "What have you done to us! One of the people might have easily gone to bed with your wife, and then you would have made us guilty of sin."

11 So Abimelech ordered his people, "Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death."