Story · 16 · Isaac and Rebekah
Three times, 'She's my sister'
Genesis tells the wife-sister story three times: Abraham in Egypt, Abraham in Gerar with King Abimelech, and Isaac in Gerar with the same king.
Parallel stories invite comparison.
Dig deeper
Read side by side, they raise questions: What happens to Sarah that doesn't happen to Rebekah? How do the stories link Abraham's actions to his wealth? The repetitions are an invitation to close reading.
Bible reference: Genesis 12; 20; 26
Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 266–267
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