Genesis20
English Standard Version
1From there toward the of the and between and ; and he in .
2And his , She is my . And of and .
3But to in a by and to him, Behold, you are a because of the whom you have , for she is a .
4Now had not her. So he , , will you an ?
5Did he not himself to me, is my ? , He is my . In the of my and the of my I have this.
6Then to him in the , , I that you have this in the of your , and it was I who you from against me. Therefore I did not you her.
7Now then, the , for he is a , so that he will for , and you shall . But if you do not her, that you shall , you and all who are yours.
8So rose in the and all his and all these . And the were very .
9Then and to him, What have you to us? And how have I against on me and my a ? You have to me that ought not to be .
10And to , did you , that you this ?
11 , I did it because I , is no of at all in this , and they will of my .
12Besides, she is my , the of my though not the of my , and she became my .
13And when caused me to from my , I to her, This is the you must me: at every to which we , of me, He is my .
14Then and , and male and , and them to , and his to him.
15And , Behold, my is ; where it .
16To he , Behold, I have your a pieces of . It is a sign of your in the of are , and before you are .
17Then to , and , and also healed his and so that they .
18For the Lord all the of the of of , .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 20.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Abraham's sojourn at Gerar, Sarah is taken by Abimelech. (1–8). Abimelech's rebuke to Abraham. (9–13). Abimelech restores Sarah. (14–18).
vv1-8
Crooked policy will not prosper: it brings ourselves and others into danger. God gives Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his danger of death for his sin. Every wilful sinner is a dead man, but Abimelech pleads ignorance. If our consciences witness, that, however we may have been cheated into a snare, we have not knowingly sinned against God, it will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is matter of comfort to those who are honest, that God knows their honesty, and will acknowledge it. It is a great mercy to be hindered from committing sin; of this God must have the glory. But if we have ignorantly done wrong, that will not excuse us, if we knowingly persist in it. He that does wrong, whoever he is, prince or peasant, shall certainly receive for the wrong which he has done, unless he repent, and, if possible, make restitution.
vv9-13
See here much to blame, even in the father of the faithful. Mark his distrust of God, his undue care about life, his intent to deceive. He also threw temptation in the way of others, caused affliction to them, exposed himself and Sarah to just rebukes, and yet attempted an excuse. These things are written for our warning, not for us to imitate. Even Abraham hath not whereof to glory. He cannot be justified by his works, but must be indebted for justification, to that righteousness which is upon all and unto all them that believe. We must not condemn all as hypocrites who fall into sin, if they do not continue in it. But let the unhumbled and impenitent take heed that they do not sin on, thinking that grace may abound. Abimelech, being warned of God, takes the warning; and being truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rose early to pursue the directions given him.
vv14-18
We often trouble ourselves, and even are led into temptation and sin, by groundless suspicions; and find the fear of God where we expected it not. Agreements to deceive generally end in shame and sorrow; and restraints from sin, though by suffering, should be thankfully acknowledged. Though the Lord rebuke, yet he will pardon and deliver his people, and he will give them favour in the sight of those with whom they sojourn; and overrule their infirmities, when they are humbled for them, so that they shall prove useful to themselves and others.
Key Words
אַבְרָהָם: Abraham, the later name of Abram
נָסַע: properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
נֶגֶב: the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine)
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
קָדֵשׁ: Kadesh, a place in the Desert
שׁוּר: Shur, a region of the Desert
גּוּר: properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid)
גְּרָר: Gerar, a Philistine city
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
Cross References
Genesis 20The exact precedent where Abraham used the same 'sister' deception with Pharaoh.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct historical commentary on God reproving kings and suffering no man to do them wrong.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Directly references the patriarchs as prophets and God's warning: 'touch not mine anointed'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Thematic parallel where God commands intercessory prayer from His servant to avert judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Joseph echoes the principle that sexual immorality is fundamentally 'sinning against God'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Isaac repeats his father's exact deception in Gerar due to the same fear.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel judgment where God plagued Pharaoh's house because of Sarah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Abimelech's plea mirrors Abraham's intercession for Sodom concerning a 'righteous' nation.
Supported by John Calvin
Provides the familial context to evaluate Abraham's half-sister defense.
Supported by JFB
Biblical standard of walking in 'integrity of heart,' which God acknowledges in Abimelech.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses asks Aaron the same question about bringing a 'great sin' upon the people.
Supported by John Calvin
Proverbs warns of the 'fear of man' that ensnared Abraham in this passage.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Links Abraham's southern journey to Isaac's later sojourn in the same region of Gerar.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Pharaoh similarly gave Abraham wealth on account of Sarah, illustrating repeated patterns.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Illuminates Sarah's 'covering of the eyes' through ancient Eastern custom.
Supported by John Calvin