Genesis 20:10

10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?"

Genesis 20:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 20:10

And Abimelech said unto Abraham
Continuing his discourse with him: what sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
he desires to know what he had observed, either in him or his people, that gave him any reason to conclude that they were a lustful people, and would stick at nothing to gratify their lusts, which put him upon taking such a method to secure his life, lest they should kill him for his wife's sake.

Genesis 20:10 In-Context

8 So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done."

10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?"

11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.

12 "Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife;

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "seen"