Genesis 20

Commentary

Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech

1And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 4But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. 14And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 17So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech

1 Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar. 2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister?’ She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this.” 6 God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her. 7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours.”

8 Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!” 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 It happened, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” 14 Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his wife, to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.” 17 Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children. 18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech

1 Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar, 2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

3 One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent? 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

6 Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”

8 Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” 10 Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”

11 Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife. 13 So when God had me journey from my father’s house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is how you can show your loyalty to me: Wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

14 So Abimelech brought sheep and cattle, menservants and maidservants, and he gave them to Abraham and restored his wife Sarah to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.” 16 And he said to Sarah, “See, I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver. a It is your vindication before all who are with you; you are completely cleared.”

17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children— 18 for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

 

Footnotes:

16 a Or a thousand shekels of silver ; that is, approximately 25.1 pounds or 11.4 kilograms of silver

Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech

1And Abraham journeyeth from thence toward the land of the south, and dwelleth between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourneth in Gerar; 2and Abraham saith concerning Sarah his wife, 'She is my sister;' and Abimelech king of Gerar sendeth and taketh Sarah. 3And God cometh in unto Abimelech in a dream of the night, and saith to him, 'Lo, thou art a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken -- and she married to a husband.' 4And Abimelech hath not drawn near unto her, and he saith, 'Lord, also a righteous nation dost thou slay? 5hath not he himself said to me, She is my sister! and she, even she herself, said, He is my brother; in the integrity of my heart, and in the innocency of my hands, I have done this.' 6And God saith unto him in the dream, 'Yea, I -- I have known that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I withhold thee, even I, from sinning against Me, therefore I have not suffered thee to come against her; 7and now send back the man's wife, for he is inspired, and he doth pray for thee, and live thou; and if thou do not send back, know that dying thou dost die, thou, and all that thou hast.'

8And Abimelech riseth early in the morning, and calleth for all his servants, and speaketh all these words in their ears; and the men fear exceedingly; 9and Abimelech calleth for Abraham, and saith to him, 'What hast thou done to us? and what have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought upon me, and upon my kingdom, a great sin? works which are not done thou hast done with me.' 10Abimelech also saith unto Abraham, 'What hast thou seen that thou hast done this thing?' 11And Abraham saith, 'Because I said, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife; 12and also, truly she is my sister, daughter of my father, only not daughter of my mother, and she becometh my wife; 13and it cometh to pass, when God hath caused me to wander from my father's house, that I say to her, This is thy kindness which thou dost with me: at every place whither we come, say of me, He is my brother.' 14And Abimelech taketh sheep and oxen, and servants and handmaids, and giveth to Abraham, and sendeth back to him Sarah his wife; 15and Abimelech saith, 'Lo, my land is before thee, where it is good in thine eyes, dwell;' 16and to Sarah he hath said, 'Lo, I have given a thousand silverlings to thy brother; lo, it is to thee a covering of eyes, to all who are with thee;' and by all this she is reasoned with. 17And Abraham prayeth unto God, and God healeth Abimelech and his wife, and his handmaids, and they bear: 18for Jehovah restraining had restrained every womb of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Genesis 20?
2Introduction to Genesis 20
3Context of Genesis 20
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Genesis 20 Unique Insights
7Genesis 20 Connections to Yeshua
8Genesis 20 Scriptural Echoes
9Genesis 20 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Genesis 20?

Introduction to Genesis 20

Genesis 20 presents a remarkable story that might seem familiar to readers – Abraham once again presents his wife Sarah as his sister, this time to Abimelech, king of Gerar. However, this chapter is far more than a mere repetition of earlier events. It serves as a profound exploration of divine protection, the power of prayer, and the complex interplay between human frailty and God’s faithfulness. The narrative showcases God’s sovereign protection over His covenant promises and His ability to work through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.

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Context of Genesis 20

This chapter is strategically positioned between God’s promise of Isaac’s birth and its fulfillment. Coming right after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in chapter 19, it demonstrates the contrast between God’s judgment of the wicked and His preservation of those He has chosen. The placement is significant as it shows how God protected Sarah’s purity just before she was to conceive the promised heir.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter serves multiple purposes. It reveals God’s faithfulness to His covenant despite human weakness, demonstrates His sovereignty over pagan kings, and shows His concern for both His chosen people and the nations. The chapter also provides a vital link in the chain of events leading to the birth of Isaac, through whom God’s promises to Abraham would continue.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Gerar (גְּרָר) – This Philistine city-state’s name derives from a root meaning “to drag away” or “to lodge.” Its location between Egypt and Canaan made it a significant crossroads of ancient culture and commerce, representing the interface between God’s people and the nations.
  • Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ) – Meaning “my father is king” or “father-king,” this royal title reflects ancient Near Eastern concepts of kingship where rulers were seen as father figures to their people. The name appears multiple times in Scripture, suggesting it was a dynastic title like “Pharaoh.”
  • Prophet (נָבִיא, navi) – First use of this term in Scripture for a patriarch. The word carries the concept of one who speaks forth God’s message, marking Abraham’s unique role as both recipient and transmitter of divine revelation.
  • Sister (אָחוֹת) – In ancient Hebrew, this term could denote various degrees of female relatives. Its usage here reflects ancient Near Eastern customs where the term could indicate both biological and legal relationships.
  • Integrity (תֹּם) – This Hebrew word signifies completeness, moral innocence, and simplicity of heart. Its use in describing Abimelech’s motives reveals God’s recognition of moral consciousness even among non-covenant peoples.
  • Restore (שׁוּב) – The root carries the idea of returning or turning back, implying both physical and spiritual restoration. Here it encompasses both the return of Sarah and the healing God provides.
  • Healed (רָפָא) – This term goes beyond physical healing to include the concept of making whole or complete, suggesting God’s comprehensive restoration of both physical and social harmony.
  • Intercession (פָּלַל) – The word used for Abraham’s prayer emphasizes mediation and intervention, highlighting his role as an intercessor between God and the nations.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 2’s use of “said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister'” employs the Hebrew verb אָמַר (amar) rather than דָּבַר (dabar), suggesting a more casual or informal declaration rather than an official pronouncement. This word choice might indicate Abraham’s attempt to downplay the deception.
  • The phrase “integrity of heart” (verse 5) uses תֹּם לֵבָב rather than צֶדֶק (righteousness), indicating God’s recognition of Abimelech’s sincerity rather than his moral perfection.
  • God’s address to Abimelech as “you are a dead man” (verse 3) uses the participle מֵת rather than the usual word for death (מָוֶת), emphasizing the immediacy and certainty of the threatened judgment.
  • The description of Abraham as a “prophet” (verse 7) introduces this term for the first time in Scripture, using נָבִיא rather than the more common רֹאֶה (seer), emphasizing Abraham’s role as God’s spokesperson rather than just a visionary.
  • The phrase “restored his wife” (verse 14) uses the verb שׁוּב in its causative form, implying not just a return but a restoration to proper status and relationship.

Genesis 20 Unique Insights

The rabbinical tradition offers fascinating insights into this chapter through various midrashim. The Midrash Rabbah suggests that Abimelech’s dream revelation came through an angel, demonstrating God’s willingness to communicate with non-Israelites for His purposes. This interpretation emphasizes God’s universal sovereignty and concern for all peoples.

Early church father Origen saw in this chapter a typological significance: Abraham’s journey to Gerar represented the soul’s journey through foreign territories while maintaining faith. He viewed Abimelech’s restoration of Sarah as symbolic of the gentile nations’ eventual recognition of Israel’s unique relationship with God.

The chapter contains a unique literary structure where divine intervention occurs before human action can lead to catastrophic consequences. This pattern differs from the Egypt narrative (Genesis 12) where Pharaoh actually took Sarah into his harem before God intervened. This variation suggests progressive revelation in Abraham’s life, where God’s protective care becomes increasingly preemptive.

Jewish mystical tradition finds significance in the numerical value (gematria) of key words in this chapter. The word “integrity” (תֹּם) equals 440, the same value as “holy” (קָדוֹשׁ), suggesting that even non-covenant peoples can exhibit godly characteristics.

Genesis 20 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter prefigures several aspects of Messianic redemption. Abraham’s role as an intercessor for Abimelech foreshadows Yeshua’s high priestly ministry, where He continually makes intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25). The protection of Sarah’s purity preserves the lineage through which the Messiah would come, demonstrating God’s sovereign care over His redemptive plan.

The resolution of the crisis through divine intervention and human repentance points to the larger pattern of salvation history, where God’s grace meets human response. Just as Abimelech’s restoration came through acknowledging God’s sovereignty and Abraham’s prophetic role, salvation comes through recognizing Yeshua’s lordship and His role as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King.

Genesis 20 Scriptural Echoes

This narrative resonates with several other biblical passages:

  • The theme of divine protection over the covenant family echoes in Psalm 105:14-15, which specifically references God’s protection of the patriarchs.
  • The motif of intercession finds fulfillment in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, where believers are called to pray for all people, including governmental authorities.
  • The concept of God speaking to non-believers through dreams parallels Daniel’s ministry to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2).
  • The theme of God’s sovereignty over kings is reflected in Proverbs 21:1.

Genesis 20 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to trust God’s protective care even when we’re tempted to take matters into our own hands. Abraham’s lapse into fear-driven behavior reminds us that even spiritual giants can struggle with recurring sins. Yet God’s faithful protection despite our failures encourages us to trust His covenant promises rather than our clever schemes.

The story invites us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly trust God’s protection in threatening situations? Are we willing to be channels of blessing to others, even those who may have wronged us? Like Abraham, we’re called to be intercessors for others, even when they’ve caused us distress.

Did You Know

  • The ancient city of Gerar has been identified with Tell Haror in modern Israel, showing evidence of significant settlement during the patriarchal period.
  • Archaeological evidence from the region shows that city-states like Gerar maintained diplomatic relations through marriage alliances, explaining Abimelech’s interest in Sarah.
  • The Hebrew term for “prophet” (נָבִיא) used here appears for the first time in Scripture, marking a significant development in biblical revelation.
  • Ancient Near Eastern texts contain similar stories of kings taking beautiful women, suggesting this was a recognized hazard for travelers in the ancient world.
  • The thousand pieces of silver mentioned in verse 16 would be equivalent to several years’ wages for a skilled worker in ancient times.
  • The phrase “covering of the eyes” in verse 16 reflects an ancient Near Eastern legal concept of compensation that clears one’s reputation.
  • Rabbinical tradition suggests that the healing God provided included opening the wombs of all the women in Abimelech’s household, who had been temporarily barren.
  • The name Abimelech appears in other ancient Near Eastern texts as a royal title, similar to how “Pharaoh” was used in Egypt.
  • The chapter contains specific legal terminology that matches other ancient Near Eastern texts dealing with marriage and property rights.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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