Genesis 26:9

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.'"

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 And the men of the place asked him concerning 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 a window and saw, and behold, Isaac was frolicking 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 lain 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."