Genesis 20:5

5 Didn't he say to me, ‘She's my sister,' and didn't she—even she—say, ‘He's my brother'? My intentions were pure, and I acted innocently when I did this."

Genesis 20:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 20:5

Said he not unto me, she [is] my sister?
&c.] By this it appears, that Abimelech had a personal conversation with Abraham, and inquired of him about Sarah, who she was, and what relation she was to him, who told him that she was his sister; and for the truth of this he appeals to the omniscient God, who knew that Abraham had told him this: and she, even she herself said, he [is] my brother;
when Sarah was asked what relation she stood in to Abraham, and he to her, she declared he was her brother; so that Abimelech had reason to conclude, from what both of them had said, that this was the truth of the matter, and especially from what Sarah said, who he thought might be depended on, and would speak out the whole truth on such an occasion: in the integrity of my heart, and innocency of my hands, have I done
this;
hereby declaring, that his design was not to defile the woman, and to gratify his lust, but to take her to be his wife; and this he thought to be no evil, though he had a wife, ( Genesis 20:17 ) ; polygamy not being reckoned a sin in those times; and that he had used no violence in taking her, they both seemingly agreeing to it.

Genesis 20:5 In-Context

3 But God appeared to Abimelech that night in a dream and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of this woman you have taken. She is a married woman."

4 Now Abimelech hadn't gone near her, and he said, "Lord, will you really put an innocent nation to death?

5 Didn't he say to me, ‘She's my sister,' and didn't she—even she—say, ‘He's my brother'? My intentions were pure, and I acted innocently when I did this."

6 God said to him in the dream, "I know that your intentions were pure when you did this. In fact, I kept you from sinning against me. That's why I didn't allow you to touch her.

7 Now return the man's wife. He's a prophet; he will pray for you so you may live. But if you don't return her, know that you and everyone with you will die!"