Genesis 26:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And the men of the place asked him of 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fearing for his life, Isaac tells the men of Gerar that Rebekah is his sister, not his wife.
The Context of Genesis 26:7
Isaac uses deception to protect himself from danger.
What Does Genesis 26:7 Mean?
Despite God's promise of protection just moments before, Isaac falls into the same deception his father Abraham used in the same place (Genesis 20). His reasoning is understandable—Rebekah's beauty might provoke jealousy and violence—but his solution contradicts his trust in God's presence.
This failure reveals how quickly human fear can overwhelm freshly received divine assurance. Isaac knows God has promised to bless and protect him, yet he chooses self-preservation through deception rather than faith in that promise.
Genesis 26:7 in the Original Language
fair — יָפָה (yāfāh), beautiful in appearance; Isaac fears this very beauty will endanger his life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 26:7
What does Genesis 26:7 mean?
Fearing for his life, Isaac tells the men of Gerar that Rebekah is his sister, not his wife.
What is the context of Genesis 26:7?
Isaac uses deception to protect himself from danger.