# Abimelech

## Facts:

Abimelech was a Philistine king over the region of Gerar during the time when Abraham and Isaac were living in the land of Canaan.

* Abraham deceived King Abimelech by telling him that Sarah was his sister rather than his wife.
* Abraham and Abimelech made an agreement regarding ownership of wells at Beersheba.
* Many years later, Isaac also deceived Abimelech and the other men of Gerar by saying that Rebekah was his sister, not his wife.
* King Abimelech rebuked Abraham, and later Isaac, for lying to him.
* Another man by the name of Abimelech was a son of Gideon and a brother of Jotham. Some translations may use a slightly different spelling of his name to make it clear that he is a different person from King Abimelech.

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names))

(See also: [Beersheba](../names/beersheba.md), [Gerar](../names/gerar.md), [Gideon](../names/gideon.md), [Jotham](../names/jotham.md), [Philistines](../names/philistines.md))

## Bible References:

* [2 Samuel 11:21](rc://en/tn/help/2sa/11/21)
* [Genesis 20:03](rc://en/tn/help/gen/20/03)
* [Genesis 20:05](rc://en/tn/help/gen/20/05)
* [Genesis 21:22](rc://en/tn/help/gen/21/22)
* [Genesis 26:11](rc://en/tn/help/gen/26/11)
* [Judges 09:54](rc://en/tn/help/jdg/09/54)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H40
