Genesis 20:4

Genesis 20:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
• New International Version (NIV)Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent people?
• New King James Version (NKJV)But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?

Context of Genesis 20:4

2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. 3But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.” 6In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.

Genesis 20:4 word by word

וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ לֹ֥א קָרַ֖ב אֵלֶ֑יהָ וַיֹּאמַ֕ר אֲדֹנָ֕י הֲג֥וֹי גַּם־צַדִּ֖יק תַּהֲרֹֽג׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• had not come nearקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
• her: and he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• wilt thou slayהָרַגhârag · to killH2026
• also a righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
• nationגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471

Cross-references for Genesis 20:4

• Genesis 20:6In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.
• Genesis 20:17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children.
• Genesis 18:23Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?
• Genesis 19:24Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah.
• 2 Samuel 4:11How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?”
• 1 Chronicles 21:17And David said to God, “I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.”

Commentaries on Genesis 20:4

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-18Verses 1-18 - Abraham in Gerar 2. אבימלך .2 'ǎbı̂ymelek Abimelekh, “father of the king.” 7. נביא nābı̂y' “prophet,” he who speaks by God, of God, and to God, who declares to people not merely things future, but also things past and present, that are not obvious to the sense or the reason; related: “flow, go forth.” 13. התעוּ hı̂t‛û is plural in punctuation, agreeing grammatically with אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym ו (w), however, may be regarded as the third…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Abimelech was innocent (20:6). He knew of no wrong he had done. But he was close to committing adultery. Not knowing the truth does not remove guilt (Leviticus 4:13–14). would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?: Abimelech's plea to God echoes Abraham's earlier words (compare 18:23–32). It shows Abraham's lack of faith at this time.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-181. Abraham journeyed from thence ... and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur--Leaving the encampment, he migrated to the southern border of Canaan. In the neighborhood of Gerar was a very rich and well-watered pasture land.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 20:4

• Condescension of God
• Cowardice
• Heathen
• Ignorance
• Nation
• Sarah

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Dream
• Restore
• Wander
• Atonement, Day of
• Genesis
• Gerar
• Leviticus
• Philistines

Commentaries on Genesis 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings