Book of Genesis Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #4

When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister"; for he was afraid to say, "My wife," thinking, "or else the men of the place might kill me for the sake of Rebekah, because she is attractive in appearance." (NRSV 26:7)

And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. (KJV 26:7)

Like father, like son. Isaac takes a page out of his dad's playbook and fibs to Abimelech that Rebekah is his sister. It turns out pretty well for Isaac, too. Apparently lying leads to safety and wealth in Genesis. Who knew?

Quote #5

Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; and she put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. (NRSV 27:15-16)

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which werewith her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck. (KJV 27:15-16)

No, it's not Halloween. Rebekah is disguising Jacob as Esau so that he can steal Esau's blessing from poor ol' blind Isaac. Seems pretty low. But remember, Rebekah is only trying to follow what she thinks is God's will (see 26:23).

Quote #6

But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (NRSV 29:23)

And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. (KJV 29:23)

Here's the sitch. Laban's supposed to give Rachel to Jacob, who agreed to serve seven years for her. Instead, he gives him Leah. This is what we call a bed trick—and it's all over literature.