Bible Figure
Abimelech
king of Gerar
Abimelech was a Philistine king of Gerar who appears in the patriarchal narratives involving Abraham and Isaac.
Biography
Genesis 20 recounts Abraham staying in Gerar and identifying Sarah as his sister. Abimelech took Sarah, but God warned him in a dream that she was married. Abimelech protested his innocence, returned Sarah, and gave gifts to Abraham; Abraham prayed and God healed Abimelech's household. Genesis 21 records a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech at Beersheba. Genesis 26 describes a similarly named Abimelech during Isaac's residence in Gerar, including a dispute over Rebekah and later a covenant. Whether the narratives refer to one long-lived ruler, different rulers, or a dynastic title is not resolved by the text itself.
Biblical Significance
Abimelech's narratives show God's protection of the patriarchal family and the possibility of peaceful covenant arrangements with neighboring rulers. This Abimelech must be distinguished from Gideon's son in Judges.