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BSB
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Genesis 20

BSB·18 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Now Abrahamאַבְרָהָם֙’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → journeyedוַיִּסַּ֨עway·yis·sa‘ — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → from thereמִשָּׁ֤םmiš·šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → to the regionאַ֣רְצָה’ar·ṣāh — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of the Negevהַנֶּ֔גֶבhan·ne·ḡeḇ — The South, Southern RegionH5045 — Full Word Study → and settledוַיֵּ֥שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → betweenבֵּין־bên- — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → Kadeshקָדֵ֖שׁqā·ḏêš — Holy place; sanctuaryH6946 — Full Word Study → and Shurשׁ֑וּרšūr — A wilderness regionH7793 — Full Word Study →. While he was stayingוַיָּ֖גָרway·yā·ḡār — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → in Gerarבִּגְרָֽר׃biḡ·rār — A valley in southern CanaanH1642 — Full Word Study →, 2Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֛ם’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֧אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → ofאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → Sarahשָׂרָ֥הśā·rāh — PrincessH8283 — Full Word Study →, “Sheהִ֑ואhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is my sisterאֲחֹ֣תִי’ă·ḥō·ṯî — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study →.” So Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Gerarגְּרָ֔רgə·rār — A valley in southern CanaanH1642 — Full Word Study → had Sarahשָׂרָֽה׃śā·rāh — PrincessH8283 — Full Word Study → broughtוַיִּשְׁלַ֗חway·yiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → to himוַיִּקַּ֖חway·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →. 3One night, howeverהַלָּ֑יְלָהhal·lā·yə·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study →, Godאֱלֹהִ֛ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → cameוַיָּבֹ֧אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → in a dreamבַּחֲל֣וֹםba·ḥă·lō·wm — dream, vision during sleepH2472 — Full Word Study → and toldוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → him, “You are as good as deadמֵת֙mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → because ofעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the womanהָאִשָּׁ֣הhā·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → you have takenלָקַ֔חְתָּlā·qaḥ·tā — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →, for sheוְהִ֖ואwə·hi·w — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is a marriedבְּעֻ֥לַתbə·‘u·laṯ — Master, Lord, HusbandH1166 — Full Word Study → woman.בָּֽעַל׃bā·‘al — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → 4Now Abimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְwa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → had notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goneקָרַ֖בqā·raḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → near herאֵלֶ֑יהָ’ê·le·hā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, so he repliedוַיֹּאמַ֕רway·yō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Lordאֲדֹנָ֕י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, would You destroyתַּהֲרֹֽג׃ta·hă·rōḡ — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → a nationהֲג֥וֹיhă·ḡō·w — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → even thoughגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → it is innocentצַדִּ֖יקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →? 5Didn’tהֲלֹ֨אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → Abraham tellאָֽמַר־’ā·mar- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → me, ‘Sheהִ֔ואhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is my sisterאֲחֹ֣תִי’ă·ḥō·ṯî — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study →’? And sheוְהִֽיא־wə·hî- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → herselfהִ֥ואhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → saidאָֽמְרָ֖ה’ā·mə·rāh — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Heה֑וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is my brotherאָחִ֣י’ā·ḥî — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →.’ I have doneעָשִׂ֥יתִי‘ā·śî·ṯî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisזֹֽאת׃zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → in the integrityבְּתָם־bə·ṯām- — Integrity, completeness, wholeness, uprightnessH8537 — Full Word Study → of my heartלְבָבִ֛יlə·ḇā·ḇî — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study → and the innocenceוּבְנִקְיֹ֥ןū·ḇə·niq·yōn — Cleanness, purity, innocenceH5356 — Full Word Study → of my handsכַּפַּ֖יkap·pay — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study →.” 6Then Godהָֽאֱלֹהִ֜יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּאמֶר֩way·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Abimelech in the dreamבַּחֲלֹ֗םba·ḥă·lōm — dream, vision during sleepH2472 — Full Word Study →, “Yesגַּ֣םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study →, Iאָנֹכִ֤י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֙עְתִּי֙yā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you didעָשִׂ֣יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisזֹּ֔אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → with a clearבְתָם־ḇə·ṯām- — Integrity, completeness, wholeness, uprightnessH8537 — Full Word Study → conscienceלְבָבְךָ֙lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →, and so Iאָנֹכִ֛י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → have keptוָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְwā·’eḥ·śōḵ — To withhold, restrain, or hold backH2820 — Full Word Study → youאֽוֹתְךָ֖’ō·wṯ·ḵā — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → from sinningמֵחֲטוֹ־mê·ḥă·ṭōw- — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study → against Me. That is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → I did notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → letנְתַתִּ֖יךָnə·ṯat·tî·ḵā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you touchלִנְגֹּ֥עַlin·gō·a‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → herאֵלֶֽיהָ׃’ê·le·hā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 7Nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → returnהָשֵׁ֤בhā·šêḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the man’sהָאִישׁ֙hā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → wifeאֵֽשֶׁת־’ê·šeṯ- — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heה֔וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is a prophetנָבִ֣יאnā·ḇî — Prophet; one who speaks God's wordH5030 — Full Word Study →; he will prayוְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥לwə·yiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study → for youבַּֽעַדְךָ֖ba·‘aḏ·ḵā — through, by means of, on behalf ofH1157 — Full Word Study → and you will liveוֶֽחְיֵ֑הweḥ·yêh — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →. But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you do notאֵֽינְךָ֣’ê·nə·ḵā — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → restore herמֵשִׁ֗יבmê·šîḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →, be awareדַּ֚עda‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you will surely dieמ֣וֹתmō·wṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →youאַתָּ֖ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who belongאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → to you.” 8Early the next morningבַּבֹּ֗קֶרbab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study → Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → got upוַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨םway·yaš·kêm — To rise early, get up in the morningH7925 — Full Word Study → and summonedוַיִּקְרָא֙way·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his servantsעֲבָדָ֔יו‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →; and when he described to themוַיְדַבֵּ֛רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thatהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → had happenedהַדְּבָרִ֥יםhad·də·ḇā·rîm — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →, the menהָאֲנָשִׁ֖יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → were terrifiedוַיִּֽירְא֥וּway·yî·rə·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →. 9Then Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → calledוַיִּקְרָ֨אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → Abrahamלְאַבְרָהָ֗םlə·’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → and askedוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Whatמֶֽה־meh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you doneעָשִׂ֤יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to us? Howוּמֶֽה־ū·meh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have I sinnedחָטָ֣אתִיḥā·ṭā·ṯî — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study → against you, thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have broughtהֵבֵ֧אתָhê·ḇê·ṯā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → such tremendousגְדֹלָ֑הḡə·ḏō·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → guiltחֲטָאָ֣הḥă·ṭā·’āh — sin offering; the act of sinH2401 — Full Word Study → upon meעָלַ֛י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → andוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → my kingdomמַמְלַכְתִּ֖יmam·laḵ·tî — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study →? You have doneעָשִׂ֖יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thingsמַעֲשִׂים֙ma·‘ă·śîm — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → to meעִמָּדִֽי׃‘im·mā·ḏî — With, alongside, in the presence ofH5978 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → should notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be doneיֵֽעָשׂ֔וּyê·‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →.” 10Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → also askedוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֑ם’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study →, “Whatמָ֣הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → promptedרָאִ֔יתָrā·’î·ṯā — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → you to doעָשִׂ֖יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → suchהַזֶּֽה׃haz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → a thingהַדָּבָ֥רhad·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →?” 11Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֔ם’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I thought to myselfאָמַ֗רְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Surelyרַ֚קraq — only, merely, nothing butH7535 — Full Word Study → there is noאֵין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → fearיִרְאַ֣תyir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִ֔ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → in thisהַזֶּ֑הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → placeבַּמָּק֖וֹםbam·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →. They will kill meוַהֲרָג֖וּנִיwa·hă·rā·ḡū·nî — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → on account ofעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → my wifeאִשְׁתִּֽי׃’iš·tî — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →.’ 12Besidesוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study →, sheהִ֔ואhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → reallyאָמְנָ֗ה’ā·mə·nāh — truly, certainly, indeed, verilyH546 — Full Word Study → is my sisterאֲחֹתִ֤י’ă·ḥō·ṯî — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study →, the daughterבַת־ḇaṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of my fatherאָבִי֙’ā·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study →thoughאַ֖ךְ’aḵ — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the daughterבַת־ḇaṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of my motherאִמִּ֑י’im·mî — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →and she becameוַתְּהִי־wat·tə·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my wifeלְאִשָּֽׁה׃lə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. 13So whenכַּאֲשֶׁ֧רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִים֮’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → had me journeyהִתְע֣וּhiṯ·‘ū — to stray, wander, or go astrayH8582 — Full Word Study → from my father’sאָבִי֒’ā·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → houseמִבֵּ֣יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, I saidוָאֹמַ֣רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Sarah, ‘This is howזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → you can showתַּעֲשִׂ֖יta·‘ă·śî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → your loyaltyחַסְדֵּ֔ךְḥas·dêḵ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → to meעִמָּדִ֑י‘im·mā·ḏî — With, alongside, in the presence ofH5978 — Full Word Study →: Whereverכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → we goנָב֣וֹאnā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, sayאִמְרִי־’im·rî- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → of me, “He isהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → my brotherאָחִ֥י’ā·ḥî — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →.”’” 14So Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → broughtוַיִּקַּ֨חway·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → sheepצֹ֣אןṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → and cattleוּבָקָ֗רū·ḇā·qār — cattle, herd, ox, bovine livestockH1241 — Full Word Study →, menservantsוַעֲבָדִים֙wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → and maidservantsוּשְׁפָחֹ֔תū·šə·p̄ā·ḥōṯ — Female servant or maidservant of lower statusH8198 — Full Word Study →, and he gave themוַיִּתֵּ֖ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to Abrahamלְאַבְרָהָ֑םlə·’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → and restoredוַיָּ֣שֶׁבway·yā·šeḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → Sarahשָׂרָ֥הśā·rāh — PrincessH8283 — Full Word Study → to him. 15And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Lookהִנֵּ֥הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, my landאַרְצִ֖י’ar·ṣî — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → is before youלְפָנֶ֑יךָlə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →. Settle wherever you pleaseשֵֽׁב׃šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study →.” 16And he saidאָמַ֗ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Sarahוּלְשָׂרָ֣הū·lə·śā·rāh — PrincessH8283 — Full Word Study →, “Seeהִנֵּ֨הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, I am givingנָתַ֜תִּיnā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → your brotherלְאָחִ֔יךְlə·’ā·ḥîḵ — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → a thousand pieces of silverכֶּ֙סֶף֙ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →. It is your vindicationכְּס֣וּתkə·sūṯ — covering, garment, clothingH3682 — Full Word Study → before allלְכֹ֖לlə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → are with youאִתָּ֑ךְ’it·tāḵ — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study →; you are completelyכֹּ֖לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → clearedוְנֹכָֽחַת׃wə·nō·ḵā·ḥaṯ — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study →.” 17Then Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֖ם’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → prayedוַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥לway·yiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and Godאֱלֹהִ֜ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → healedוַיִּרְפָּ֨אway·yir·pā — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study → Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֧לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → and his wifeאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → and his maidservantsוְאַמְהֹתָ֖יוwə·’am·hō·ṯāw — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study →, so that they could again bear childrenוַיֵּלֵֽדוּ׃way·yê·lê·ḏū — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → 18forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → accountדְּבַ֥רdə·ḇar — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of Abraham’sאַבְרָהָֽם׃ס’aḇ·rā·hām — Father of many nationsH85 — Full Word Study → wifeאֵ֥שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → Sarahשָׂרָ֖הśā·rāh — PrincessH8283 — Full Word Study →, the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had completely closedעָצֹ֤ר‘ā·ṣōr — to restrain, withhold, hold backH6113 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the wombsרֶ֖חֶםre·ḥem — womb; inner compassion; merciful tendernessH7358 — Full Word Study → in Abimelech’sאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → householdלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Genesis 20
Chapter Overview

Overview of Genesis Chapter 20

Genesis 20 records one of the most troubling episodes in Abraham's life: his repetition of the sin committed in Egypt (Genesis 12), where he deceives a pagan king about Sarah being his sister rather than his wife. This chapter reveals the tension between God's sovereign protection of His covenant promises and the failures of even a man called "the father of the faithful." Though Abraham's deception puts both Sarah and King Abimelech in moral danger, God intervenes directly to preserve His purposes, demonstrating His faithfulness even when His people are faithless. The narrative teaches us about God's grace, the seriousness of deception, and the power of intercession.

Verses 1–5: Abraham's Deception and Abimelech's Innocence

Abraham journeys south toward Gerar and repeats his Egyptian mistake: he tells people that Sarah is his sister (v. 2). This half-truth (they were indeed half-siblings) was meant to protect his own life, but it endangered Sarah's honor and Abimelech's conscience. King Abimelech, unaware of deception, takes Sarah into his household—likely as a potential wife (v. 2). However, God sovereignly prevents the situation from becoming irretrievable sin. Abimelech's response in verses 4–5 shows his genuine fear of God and his innocence: he hadn't yet consummated any relationship with Sarah, and he appeals to the Lord based on his honest heart and clean hands. This reveals an important truth: God watches over the integrity of those who seek to live righteously, even pagans like Abimelech.

Verses 6–7: God's Intervention and Abraham's Identity

God's response in verse 6 is remarkable: He acknowledges Abimelech's integrity and reveals that He Himself had withheld him from sinning—a powerful statement of divine sovereignty. God does not merely punish sin; He prevents it when His purposes require. Verses 6–7 contain the first biblical reference to Abraham as a prophet (nabi in Hebrew), underscoring his unique role in God's redemptive plan. God commands Abimelech to restore Sarah and to seek Abraham's intercession for healing. The threat in verse 7 is unmistakable: disobedience means certain death for Abimelech and his entire household. This shows that protecting the covenant line through which Christ would come was non-negotiable to God.

Verses 8–13: Fear, Restitution, and Abraham's Justification

Abimelech's fear is immediate and contagious (v. 8). He publicly addresses the matter with his servants and then confronts Abraham directly (v. 9). Abraham's explanation in verses 11–13 reveals both his sin and his rationalization: he feared there was "no fear of God" in Gerar, so he sought to protect himself through deception. Yet he also clarifies that Sarah was technically his half-sister, and that he had asked her to make this claim wherever they traveled. His reasoning—self-preservation through a half-truth—shows that even the greatest saints can stumble when fear overrides faith in God's promises.

Verses 14–18: Restitution, Healing, and Vindication

Abimelech generously restores Sarah and gives Abraham gifts of livestock, servants, and land (v. 14). His words in verse 16—that Abraham is "a covering of the eyes" (likely meaning a protector or vindicator)—suggest public vindication. Verse 17 reveals the final twist: Abraham's intercessory prayer heals Abimelech's household, which had been rendered barren by God as judgment (v. 18). Abraham's ministry as a prophet manifests through prayer, and God's covenant people become a blessing even in their failure.

Application for Today

This chapter humbles us with the reality that faith and fear can coexist even in mature believers. Abraham's sin teaches us to trust God's protection rather than rely on our own schemes. Yet God's grace and sovereignty shine brightest here: He protects His purposes, vindicates His servants, and uses them as instruments of blessing. When we fail, as Abraham did, repentance and intercession can restore both our integrity and our usefulness in God's kingdom.

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