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Genesis 26:10 - King's moral rebuke to deception

Genesis 26:10 - בראשית 26:10

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲבִימֶלֶךְ מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ לָּנוּ כִּמְעַט שָׁכַב אַחַד הָעָם אֶת־אִשְׁתֶּךָ וְהֵבֵאתָ עָלֵינוּ אָשָׁם׃

English Translation

And Avimelekh said, What is this thou hast done to us? one of the people might easily have lain with thy wife, and thou shouldst have brought guiltiness upon us.

Transliteration

Vayomer Avimelech mah-zot asita lanu kim'at shachav achad ha'am et-ishtecha vehevet aleinu asham.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֑נוּ כִּ֠מְעַ֠ט שָׁכַ֞ב אַחַ֤ד הָעָם֙ אֶת־אִשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ וְהֵבֵאתָ֥ עָלֵ֖ינוּ אָשָֽׁם׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֑נוּ כִּ֠מְעַ֠ט שָׁכַ֞ב אַחַ֤ד הָעָם֙ אֶת־אִשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ וְהֵבֵאתָ֥ עָלֵ֖ינוּ אָשָֽׁם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 20:9) records Avimelekh's rebuke of Avraham after discovering that Sarah was actually his wife, not his sister, as Avraham had initially claimed. Avimelekh expresses his dismay at the potential consequences of Avraham's deception, emphasizing how close the people of Gerar came to committing a grave sin unknowingly.

Avimelekh's Concern

Avimelekh's statement, "כִּמְעַט שָׁכַב אַחַד הָעָם אֶת־אִשְׁתֶּךָ" ("one of the people might easily have lain with thy wife"), reflects his fear that someone could have transgressed the severe prohibition of adultery (gilui arayot). Rashi explains that Avimelekh was particularly distressed because such an act would have brought divine retribution ("וְהֵבֵאתָ עָלֵינוּ אָשָׁם") upon his entire kingdom, as seen earlier when Hashem had temporarily closed the wombs of all the women in Gerar (Bereishit 20:18).

The Severity of the Sin

  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 1:1) lists adultery as one of the most severe prohibitions in the Torah, punishable by karet (spiritual excision). Avimelekh's fear underscores the gravity of the sin and its communal repercussions.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Chayei Sarah 4) highlights that Avimelekh, despite being a gentile king, recognized the moral danger of unwittingly violating marital boundaries, showing an innate understanding of ethical conduct.

Avraham's Justification

While the verse focuses on Avimelekh's rebuke, earlier in the narrative (Bereishit 20:11-13), Avraham explains his reasoning: he feared that the lack of fear of G-d in Gerar would lead to his murder for Sarah's sake. Ibn Ezra notes that Avraham's concern was pragmatic—he sought to protect both himself and Sarah from harm, even if it required withholding the full truth temporarily.

Lessons in Accountability

This exchange teaches the importance of considering how one's actions affect others. Rabbeinu Bachya comments that Avimelekh's words serve as a reminder that leaders bear responsibility for their people's moral state, and even unintended misdeeds can have far-reaching consequences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Avimelekh referring to in Genesis 26:10?
A: Avimelekh is confronting Yitzchak (Isaac) because Yitzchak had said that Rivkah (Rebecca) was his sister, not his wife. Avimelekh realized that someone could have unknowingly sinned by taking Rivkah, which would have brought guilt upon his people (Rashi on Genesis 26:10).
Q: Why was Avimelekh upset with Yitzchak in this verse?
A: Avimelekh was upset because Yitzchak's deception could have led to a severe sin—someone taking a married woman (Rivkah) unknowingly. This would have brought divine punishment upon Avimelekh's nation (Ramban on Genesis 26:10).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 26:10?
A: The verse teaches the importance of honesty and avoiding misleading others, especially in matters that could lead to serious sins. Even if Yitzchak had good intentions (to protect himself), his actions could have caused unintended harm (Midrash Tanchuma, Toledot 8).
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of 'lifnei iver' (not placing a stumbling block before the blind)?
A: Yitzchak's concealment of Rivkah's true identity could have caused others to sin unknowingly, similar to the prohibition of 'lifnei iver' (Vayikra 19:14). The verse emphasizes the responsibility to avoid actions that may lead others to transgress (Talmud, Pesachim 22b).
Q: Why does Avimelekh say 'one of the people might have lain with your wife' if no one actually did?
A: Avimelekh is highlighting the potential danger of Yitzchak's actions. Even though no sin occurred, the mere possibility was enough to warrant concern, as it could have brought divine retribution (Sforno on Genesis 26:10).