When the men of the place … his wife: men of the place refers to the men of Gerar, the native inhabitants. Asked about his wife is general, but Isaac’s reply makes clear that they inquired about his relationship to Rebekah. We may need in some cases to make the question actually say this; for example, “When the men of Gerar asked who Rebekah was” or “When … asked who the woman with him was.” In some translations the intent of the question is made even clearer by saying “When the men of the place saw Rebekah, they asked Isaac, ‘Is this woman your wife?’ ” and the answer that Isaac gives is “No, she is my sister.”

She is my sister: for the same wording in Abraham’s reply, see 20.2.

For he feared to say, “My wife”: Revised Standard Version translates the text literally. The Septuagint has “She is my wife,” but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project defends the Hebrew text as being an {A} reading. The textual point is insignificant, and in many translations it is necessary to say “She is my wife,” or as indirect speech, “he was afraid to admit that Rebekah was his wife.” See Good News Translation.

Revised Standard Version continues to translate Isaac’s thoughts in the first person, thinking “lest the men of the place should kill me,” or as Good News Translation says, “because he was afraid that the men there would kill him.”

For the sake of Rebekah: that is, on account of Rebekah, in order to take Rebekah.

Because she was fair to look upon: a similar remark was made by Abraham regarding the physical beauty of Sarah in 12.11. See also 24.16.

We may translate this verse, for example,

• Rebekah was a beautiful woman. So when the men of Gerar asked Isaac who she was, he replied “She is my sister.” He did not say “She is my wife” because he was afraid they would kill him and take her.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .