Keraia
Genesis 20

Genesis 20:3

Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech · Genesis 20:1–18
Read Genesis 20

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
But 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.
Literal
And 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—and she is married to a husband.”
Latin
Venit autem Deus ad Abimelech per somnium nocte, et ait illi: En morieris propter mulierem quam tulisti: habet enim virum.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

Genesis 20:3

One night … God came … in a dream: God urgently intervened to stop Abimelech from harming Sarah's purity right before fulfilling his promise (18:10; 21:1–3).

Genesis 20:3–7

God gave Abimelech a strong warning against committing adultery. This was a crime that could be punished by death (compare Exodus 20:14). The ancient Near East considered it "tremendous guilt" (Genesis 20:9).

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.

People

Abimelech: Philistine king who interacted with Abraham and Isaac

Glossary

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

Topics

Adultery: General Scriptures Concerning Condescension of God: Warns Abimelech in a Dream Cowardice: Abraham, in Calling his Wife his Sister Dream of Abimelech, , Concerning Sarah Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Abimelech God: Preserver in Gerar God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Abimelech Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Abimelech Ignorance: Sins of Marriage: Consanguinous, Abraham and Sarah Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Abraham Represents Her As his Sister, and Abimelech, King of Gerar, Takes Her The Dead: Impotence