Keraia
Genesis 20

Genesis 20:5

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

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
Said 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.
Literal
Did not he say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and in the innocence of my hands I have done this.”
Latin
…nonne ipse dixit mihi: Soror mea est: et ipsa ait: Frater meus est? In simplicitate cordis mei, et munditia manuum mearum feci hoc.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

Genesis 20:4–5

  • Abimelech was innocent (20:6). He knew of no wrong he had done. But he was close to committing adultery. Not knowing the truth does not remove guilt (Leviticus 4:13–14).

  • would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?: Abimelech's plea to God echoes Abraham's earlier words (compare 18:23–32). It shows Abraham's lack of faith at this time.

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.

Glossary

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

Topics

Chastity: Abimelech Condescension of God: Warns Abimelech in a Dream Cowardice: Abraham, in Calling his Wife his Sister Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Abimelech Falsehood in Denying to the King of Gerar, That She Was Abraham's Wife God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Abimelech Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Abimelech Ignorance: Sins of Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Abraham Represents Her As his Sister, and Abimelech, King of Gerar, Takes Her