Genesis 26:8

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.

Genesis 26:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 26:8

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time
Perhaps some years: for though it is in the original, "when days were prolonged to him there" ^F2; yet days are sometimes put for years: that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window;
in his own palace, near to which, in all likelihood, were the apartments that Isaac and Rebekah dwelt in; and this he did accidentally, and not out of curiosity, or with any intention to observe or pry into the behaviour and conduct of these two persons one towards the other: and saw, and, behold, Isaac [was] sporting with Rebekah his wife;
laughing and joking with her, which by his motions and gestures, and the airs and freedoms he took, Abimelech could perceive were such as were not usual between brothers and sisters, though honest and lawful between man and wife; such as embracing her in his arms, and frequently kissing her, and the like.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (Mymyh Mv wl wkra yk) "cum prolongati essent ei ibi dies", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.

Genesis 26:8 In-Context

6 So Isaac settled in Gerar.

7 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.”

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.

9 Abimelech 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.”

10 “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.”