Genesis 26:8

8 Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife.

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 dwelt in Gerar.

7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, "She is my sister"; for he was afraid to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold."

8 Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife.

9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, "Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, 'She is my sister'?" And Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'Lest I die on account of her.' "

10 And Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us."