Genesis 20:1

Translations

Modern

Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar,

Traditional

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

Literal

And Abraham journeyed from there to the Negev, and he dwelt between Kadesh and between Shur, and he sojourned in Gerar.

Latin

Profectus inde Abraham in terram australem, habitavit inter Cades et Sur: et peregrinatus est in Geraris.

Original

Hebrew

English

Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar,

Notes

Genesis 20:1

Gerar was near the coast in Philistine land, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Gaza and 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Hebron.

Genesis 20:1–18

This second "sister story" in Genesis (compare 12:10–20) happened just before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac (chapter 21). In both instances, God protected Abraham and Sarah's marriage to keep it pure for the covenant promises. To be part of God's plan, his people must separate from worldly corruption.
This story happened in the promised land. It showed Israel how God intervened in people's lives to fulfill his plan. He protected them from threats from other tribes. He used his chosen people to mediate his relationship with other nations.
By preventing adultery from destroying Abraham's marriage, God reminded the Israelites not to marry those who would lead them away from the Lord (Ezra 9:1–4; Nehemiah 13:23–27; Malachi 2:10–17). They should not allow any chance for temptation. Adultery would eventually destroy the covenant and the people.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Isaac Sarah Symbolic Numbers The Plagues

Related verses

Genesis 26:6
So Isaac settled in Gerar.
Genesis 26:1
Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.
Genesis 18:1
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Psalm 29:8
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
2 Chronicles 14:13–14
Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder
Genesis 26:26
Later, Abimelech came to Isaac from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army.
Genesis 10:19
…and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
Deuteronomy 1:19
And just as the LORD our God had commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites, through all the vast and terrifying wilderness you have seen. When we reached Kadesh-barnea,
Genesis 13:1
So Abram went up out of Egypt into the Negev—he and his wife and all his possessions—and Lot was with him.
Deuteronomy 32:51
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.
Numbers 20:16
…and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.
Genesis 26:20
But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

Places

Gerar: Philistine city; Abraham and Isaac's encounters with Abimelech Kadesh: An important oasis in the Wilderness of Zin Negeb: The southern region of Israel, a semi-arid area Shur: Wilderness area between Canaan and Egypt

Glossary

Abimelech Adam (Person) Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Dreams Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Gerar Negeb, Negev Patriarchs, Period of the Philistia, Philistines Sarah Shur

Topics

Abimelech: King of Gerar Abraham: Lives in Gerar Abraham: Lives in Gerar; Deceives Abimelech Concerning Sarah, his Wife Gerar: A City of the Philistines: Abimelech, King of Gerar: A City of the Philistines: Visited by Abraham Heathen: Abimelech Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Abimelech Ignorance: Sins of Kadesh: Abraham Lives Beside the Wells Nearby Philistines: Kings of Abimelech I Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Abraham Represents Her As his Sister, and Abimelech, King of Gerar, Takes Her Shur: A Wilderness Southwest of Palestine Sincerity: Does not Exempt from Guilt

Genesis 20:1

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People

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Translations

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Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics