Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Genesis 26:7. It’s a really interesting story about God and His plan for humanity! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God is creating the world. He wants to give humanity a way to find love and a partner, but he’s worried about something bad happening. He decides to create a man and a woman – Adam and Eve – to be the first humans. Here's what happened next: The Men Ask Questions: A group of men from the region (often interpreted as Canaan) are curious about Eve. They want to know who she is. God’s Response - A Little Bit Mysterious: God tells Adam that Eve is his wife – he's saying she's his beloved. However, there’s a catch: He’s worried someone might try to take her away from him. Fear and Protection: To protect himself, Adam says, “She [is] my sister.” This is a way of shielding Eve from unwanted attention or potentially dangerous situations. He's protecting her as much as he's protecting himself. What’s the Significance? This passage is a key part of the story of creation and shows: God's Love & Protection: God is incredibly concerned for his creation, especially for his beloved wife. Humanity’s Vulnerability: It highlights that humans are sometimes vulnerable – they can be targeted and harmed by others. The Importance of Boundaries: It shows early on that humans need boundaries and protection to ensure their well-being. Important Note: This is a very ancient text, and there's still some debate among scholars about exactly what it means. But it’s generally understood as a foundational story about the beginning of humanity and God's relationship with his creation. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any aspect of this passage? For example, would you like to know: Why is this story so important in religious tradition? What does it say about human relationships?