Genesis 26:11 kjv

And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

Genesis 26:11 nkjv

So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, "He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."

Genesis 26:11 niv

So Abimelek gave orders to all the people: "Anyone who harms this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."

Genesis 26:11 esv

So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, "Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."

Genesis 26:11 nlt

Then Abimelech issued a public proclamation: "Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death!"

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 11 Meaning

Genesis 26:11 reveals Abimelech's solemn decree throughout his kingdom, declaring that any person who harms or interferes with Isaac or Rebekah, his wife, would face immediate capital punishment. This edict serves as a direct, protective barrier established by a Gentile ruler, prompted by an underlying sense of divine intervention or consequence, safeguarding God's chosen patriarch and the promised lineage despite Isaac's deceptive actions.

Genesis 26 11 Context

Genesis chapter 26 chronicles Isaac's sojourn in Gerar during a famine, reminiscent of Abraham's experiences. Despite God's command to remain in the land (Gen 26:2-3) and a renewal of the covenant promises, Isaac, out of fear for his life, deceptively presents Rebekah as his sister to the Philistine king Abimelech. This deceit directly mirrors his father Abraham's actions concerning Sarah (Gen 12:10-20, 20:1-18). Verse 11 occurs after Abimelech discovers Isaac's lie by observing Isaac caressing Rebekah. Abimelech, realizing the grave danger his people were in if any had unknowingly taken Rebekah as wife, issues this royal decree to prevent any further harm to Isaac, Rebekah, or, significantly, to his own kingdom from divine judgment, similar to what occurred during Abraham's earlier interactions. The context emphasizes God's sovereign protection of His covenant lineage, even in the face of human fear, weakness, and deception.

Genesis 26 11 Word analysis

• Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ - Abimelekh): Meaning "My father is king" or "father of a king." This is the same name, potentially a royal title, for the king who interacted with Abraham in Gen 20. His immediate and stern response indicates an awareness of divine displeasure over previous dealings involving patriarchs' wives, suggesting a lessons learned mentality or an intuitive fear of Isaac's God due to observed prosperity and prior warnings.
• charged (צִוָּה - tzivah): This Hebrew verb denotes a formal, authoritative command or decree. It implies an official royal edict with binding legal power, emphasizing the seriousness and universal application of Abimelech's declaration to all his subjects.
• all his people (כָּל־עַמּוֹ - kol-ammo): Signifies that the decree was universally proclaimed and applied throughout the entire population under Abimelech's rule. This widespread announcement was to ensure complete protection for Isaac and Rebekah, indicating the high priority and gravity of the king's command.
• toucheth (נֹגֵעַ - nogea): Literally "to touch," but in this context, it means "to harm," "to lay a hand on," or "to molest" with ill intent. It refers to any form of physical assault or inappropriate advance, particularly implying sexual violation or violence, which would endanger Rebekah's integrity or Isaac's life. This verb carries a sense of dangerous interference.
• this man (בָּאִישׁ הַזֶּה - ba'ish hazzeh): Refers directly to Isaac. His identity as the patriarch, the heir of the divine covenant promises, is paramount. Protecting "this man" is protecting the future of God's chosen nation.
• or his wife (וּבְאִשְׁתּוֹ - u'v'ishto): Explicitly includes Rebekah. Her protection is crucial as the chosen bearer of the promised lineage, vital for the continuation of the covenant through conception and childbirth. This underscores the sanctity of the marital union within the divine plan.
• shall surely be put to death (מוֹת יוּמָת - mot yumat): This is a Hebrew idiomatic expression known as an "infinitive absolute," conveying certainty and severity. It translates literally to "dying, he shall die" or "he shall die a sure death." It signifies the most severe punishment, capital execution, indicating the absolute and irrevocable consequence of violating the king's decree.

Words-group analysis:

• "Abimelech charged all his people": This phrase emphasizes the sovereign authority of Abimelech. It's not a mere suggestion but a legally binding, publicly announced mandate from the highest power in the land, illustrating how even human kings can be instruments of God's protective will.
• "He that toucheth this man or his wife": This broad prohibition encompasses any form of aggression, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the protection. It specifically names both Isaac and Rebekah, reinforcing the critical role of both the male patriarch and the female progenitor in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, particularly concerning their procreation.
• "shall surely be put to death": The ultimate and unavoidable penalty underscores the absolute necessity of respecting the decree. It reveals Abimelech's extreme caution, likely driven by a latent fear of the God who plagued Pharaoh and earlier, his own household, when they infringed upon the patriarchs. This severe decree acts as a divine shield, operated by a Gentile king.

Genesis 26 11 Bonus section

The seemingly independent decision of Abimelech to protect Isaac can be understood through the lens of divine sovereignty over human rulers. Similar to Prov 21:1, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord," God guided Abimelech's response, compelling him to act justly and decisively in favor of Isaac, preserving the covenant line. This passage serves as a type of divine 'safeguarding' mechanism around the patriarchs. Furthermore, the recurrent motif of a patriarch concealing his wife's identity and a pagan king then protecting her highlights God's extraordinary and unexpected ways of preserving His elect from external threats and from the consequences of their own fearful actions, ensuring the continuity of His redemptive narrative for future generations.

Genesis 26 11 Commentary

Genesis 26:11 highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His chosen servant, Isaac, falters in faith and resorts to deception. Just as with Abraham and Sarah, God actively intervenes to protect the lineage through whom the Messiah would ultimately come. Abimelech's decree is not merely a secular legal act; it is implicitly influenced by divine providence, preventing anyone from unwittingly hindering God's redemptive plan. The severe penalty ("shall surely be put to death") emphasizes the sanctity of Isaac's life and Rebekah's marital integrity, crucial for the propagation of the covenant people. This event serves as a powerful reminder that God's purposes will be fulfilled regardless of human weakness, and He can utilize even unexpected means—like a Gentile king's command—to ensure the safety and flourishing of His chosen. It underscores that "He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes" (Ps 105:14).