Bible Strands

Genesis 26:11

So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Abimelech addresses the entire population of Gerar immediately after Isaac’s deception regarding Rebekah. The king issues a public proclamation to prevent any violation of the patriarch’s household.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַיְצַו (va/y.Tzav) means “he commanded,” and the participle הַנּוֹגֵעַ (ha.no.Ge.a') literally translates to “the one touching.” These terms frame the king’s edict as a binding royal decree rather than a mere suggestion.

The thread — The prohibition against harming a designated person appears in Psalms 105:15 and Proverbs 6:29, while Genesis 20:6 records God’s prior protection of Abraham under similar circumstances. These passages share a thematic concern for the safety of those under divine favor.

Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize the immediate historical reality of royal protection around Isaac. It establishes a boundary that preserves the covenant line from external threat.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיְצַ֣וva/y.Tzavand/ he commandedאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhAbimelechאֶת־'et-<obj.>כָּל־kol-allהָעָ֖םha./'Amthe/ peopleלֵאמֹ֑רle./Mor<to>/ sayingהַנֹּגֵ֜עַha./no.Ge.a'who/ [-ever] touchesבָּאִ֥ישׁba./'Ish<in> the/ manהַזֶּ֛הha./Zeh<the>/ thisוּבְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹu./ve./'ish.T/oand/ <in>/ wife/ hisמ֥וֹתMotcertainly <to die>יוּמָֽת׃yu.Mathe will be put to death

King James Version

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

Cross-references

People named

Abimelech