# 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