About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 20: Abraham and Abimelech
Background History and Timeline: Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned: The chapter primarily focuses on Gerar, where Abraham resides temporarily.
Themes and Conflicts: Genesis 20 recounts Abraham's journey to Gerar and his encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar. It explores themes of deception, trust, and divine protection.
Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech, and God are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 20:2: "And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, 'She is my sister.' And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah."
Genesis 20:3: "But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 'Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.'"
Explanation: Genesis 20 describes how Abraham, fearing for his life, tells Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, leading Abimelech to take Sarah into his household. However, God intervenes and warns Abimelech in a dream, revealing that Sarah is Abraham's wife.
Abimelech confronts Abraham about his deception, and Abraham explains his reasoning. Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham and offers him compensation. He also allows Abraham to live in Gerar.
The chapter illustrates God's protection over Abraham and Sarah, even in moments of human frailty and deception. It also demonstrates God's sovereignty over the affairs of humanity, as He intervenes to prevent Sarah from being taken unlawfully.
Genesis 20 serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and trust in God's providence, even in challenging circumstances.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 20.
Religious Text
Gen 20:1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur;
and he sojourned in Gerar.
Gen 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took
Sarah.
Gen 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man
because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."
Gen 20:4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent people?
Gen 20:5 Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister’? And she herself said, 'He is my brother." In the
integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands | have done this."
Gen 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, | know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart,
and it was | who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore | did not let you touch her.
Gen 20:7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But
if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you, and all who are yours."
Gen 20:8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And
the men were very much afraid.
Gen 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have | sinned
against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought
not to be done."
Gen 20:10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you did this thing?"
Gen 20:11 Abraham said, "I did it because | thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill
me because of my wife.
Gen 20:12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother,
and she became my wife.
Gen 20:13 And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, | said to her, 'This is the kindness you
must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.”
Gen 20:14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to
Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him.
Gen 20:15 And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you."
Gen 20:16 To Sarah he said, "Behold, | have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your
innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated."
Gen 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female
slaves so that they bore children.
Gen 20:18 For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's
wife.