Thematic Bible
Genesis 20:1 (show verse)
Abraham moved from Mamre to the southern part of Canaan and lived between Kadesh and Shur. Later, while he was living in Gerar,
Genesis 20:2 (show verse)
he said that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Genesis 20:3 (show verse)
God appeared to the king in a dream and said: You are going to die, because you have taken this woman. She is already married.
Genesis 20:4 (show verse)
Abimelech had not come near her. He said: Lord, I am innocent! Would you destroy my people and me?
Genesis 20:5 (show verse)
Abraham said that she was his sister. She said the same thing. I did this with a clear conscience. I have done no wrong!
Genesis 20:6 (show verse)
God said to him in a dream: Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. In fact, I kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.
Genesis 20:7 (show verse)
Give the man's wife back to him now. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not give her back, you and all who belong to you are doomed to die.
Genesis 20:8 (show verse)
So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them everything. The men were very afraid.
Genesis 20:9 (show verse)
Then Abimelech called Abraham. He said to him: What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you? You have brought a great sin on me and on my kingdom. You have done to me things that ought not to be done.
Genesis 20:10 (show verse)
Abimelech also asked Abraham: What were you thinking when you did this?
Genesis 20:11 (show verse)
Abraham said: I thought that because there are no people who reverence God in this place, I would be killed because of my wife.
Genesis 20:12 (show verse)
Besides, she is my sister. She is my father's daughter, but not my mother's. She is also my wife.
Genesis 20:13 (show verse)
When God had me leave my father's home and travel around, I said to her: 'Do me a favor: Wherever we go, say that I am your brother.'
Genesis 20:14 (show verse)
Abimelech took sheep, cattle, and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham. He also gave his wife Sarah back to him.
Genesis 20:15 (show verse)
Abimelech said: Look, here is my land. Live anywhere you like.
Genesis 20:16 (show verse)
He said to Sarah: Do not forget that I have given your brother twenty-five pounds of silver. This is to silence any criticism against you from everyone with you. You are completely cleared.
Genesis 20:17 (show verse)
Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could have children.
Genesis 20:18 (show verse)
Jehovah had made it impossible for any woman in Abimelech's household to have children because of Abraham's wife Sarah.