Genesis 20:2-3

2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "1She is my sister." So 2Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
3 3But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, 4you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married *."

Genesis 20:2-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 20

This chapter relates the removal of Abraham to Gerar, Ge 20:1; the king of Gerar's taking to him Sarah, whom Abraham had called his sister, Ge 20:2; who is rebuked of God for it in a dream, Ge 20:3; for which he makes an apology that is admitted, only he is ordered to restore to Abraham his wife, Ge 20:4-7; and accordingly early in the morning he called his servants, and acquainted them with what had happened, Ge 20:8; and then sent for Abraham, and expressed his resentment at his usage of him, Ge 20:9; which Abraham defended as well as he could, Ge 20:10-13; the issue of all which was, great kindness was shown to Abraham, and his wife restored to him, though with a reproof to her from the king, Ge 20:14-16; upon which Abraham prayed for the healing of Abimelech and his family, in which he was heard and answered, Ge 20:17,18.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Genesis 12:11-13; Genesis 20:12; Genesis 26:7
  • 2. Genesis 12:15
  • 3. Genesis 12:17, 18
  • 4. Genesis 20:7

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "married to a husband"
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.