Genesischapter 20

18 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 207 cross-references outward and receives 163 — heaviest partner: Genesis.

Chapter summary

Abraham and Abimelech. Once again Abraham calls Sarah his sister; Abimelech of Gerar takes her. God comes to Abimelech in a dream by night: ‘thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken’. Abimelech, protesting his integrity, is believed — his household was kept from sin by divine restraint. Sarah is restored with gifts; Abraham prays and heals the household's barrenness. The episode replays Genesis 12 with worse excuse: Abraham now has the covenant behind him and still reaches for the old evasion. Gill notes the mercy of God who protects the promise in spite of the patriarch's weakness.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Genesis overview for the book's full setting.

1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the land of the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and 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, thou art but a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.

4 Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?

5 Said he not himself unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.

6 And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

7 Now therefore restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8 And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.