Genesis - 20:1-18



Abraham lies about Serah at Gerar

      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.


Chapter In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 20.

Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Abraham leaves Mamre, and, after having sojourned at Kadesh and Shur, settles in Gerar, Genesis 20:1. Abimelech takes Sarah, Abraham having acknowledged her only as his sister, Genesis 20:2. Abimelech is warned by God in a dream to restore Sarah, Genesis 20:3. He asserts his innocence, Genesis 20:4, Genesis 20:5. He is farther warned, Genesis 20:6, Genesis 20:7. Expostulates with Abraham, Genesis 20:8-10. Abraham vindicates his conduct, Genesis 20:11-13. Abimelech restores Sarah, makes Abraham a present of sheep, oxen, and male and female slaves, Genesis 20:14; offers him a residence in any part of the land, Genesis 20:15; and reproves Sarah, Genesis 20:16. At the intercession of Abraham, the curse of barrenness is removed from Abimelech and his household, Genesis 20:17, Genesis 20:18.

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 20
This chapter relates the removal of Abraham to Gerar, Genesis 20:1; the king of Gerar's taking to him Sarah, whom Abraham had called his sister, Genesis 20:2; who is rebuked of God for it in a dream, Genesis 20:3; for which he makes an apology that is admitted, only he is ordered to restore to Abraham his wife, Genesis 20:4; and accordingly early in the morning he called his servants, and acquainted them with what had happened, Genesis 20:8; and then sent for Abraham, and expressed his resentment at his usage of him, Genesis 20:9; which Abraham defended as well as he could, Genesis 20:10; the issue of all which was, great kindness was shown to Abraham, and his wife restored to him, though with a reproof to her from the king, Genesis 20:14; upon which Abraham prayed for the healing of Abimelech and his family, in which he was heard and answered, Genesis 20:17.

(Genesis 20:1-8) Abraham's sojourn at Gerar, Sarah is taken by Abimelech.
(Genesis 20:9-13) Abimelech's rebuke to Abraham.
(Genesis 20:14-18) Abimelech restores Sarah.

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