Bereshis 26:8

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Avimelech Melech Pelishtim (Philistines) looked out at a chalon, and saw, and, hinei, Yitzchak metzachek (was caressing) Rivkah his isha.

Bereshis 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Bereshis 26:8 In-Context

6 And Yitzchak dwelt in Gerar;
7 And the anshei hamakom asked him about his isha; and he said, She is my achot; for he feared to say, She is my isha; lest, said he, the anshei hamakom should kill me for Rivkah; because she was beautiful to look upon.
8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Avimelech Melech Pelishtim (Philistines) looked out at a chalon, and saw, and, hinei, Yitzchak metzachek (was caressing) Rivkah his isha.
9 And Avimelech called Yitzchak, and said, Hinei, of a surety she is thy isha; and why saidst thou, She is my achot? And Yitzchak said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die because of her.
10 And Avimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have slept with thy isha, and thou shouldest have brought asham (guilt) upon us.
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