Abimelech (King of Gath)

A royal title for Philistine rulers. It is similar to the title “pharaoh” used by the Egyptians and “agag” used by the Amalekites.

The King of Gerar in Abraham’s time. Gerar was a city near Gaza. Abraham, out of fear for his life, told people his wife Sarah was his sister (Genesis 20:1–18). He had done this before in Egypt (Genesis 12:10–20). Sarah was taken into Abimelech’s harem, but God warned Abimelech in a dream that Sarah was married and he would die if he touched her. Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham. Later, Abraham and Abimelech made a treaty to clarify water rights in the Negev Desert at Beersheba (Genesis 21:22–34).