Genesis

Genesis 20:1–7

1Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar, 2Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

3One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent? 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

6Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die — you and all who belong to you.”

Read all of Genesis 20

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Genesis 20:1

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Now Abrahamאַבְרָהָם֙’aḇ·rā·hāmNoun - proper - masculine singularH85 Abraham
journeyedוַיִּסַּ֨עway·yis·sa‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5265 pull out or up, set out, journey
from thereמִשָּׁ֤םmiš·šāmPreposition-m; AdverbH8033 there, thither
to the regionאַ֣רְצָה’ar·ṣāhNoun - feminine singular; third person feminine singularH776 earth, land
of the Negevהַנֶּ֔גֶבhan·ne·ḡeḇArticle; Noun - proper - feminine singularH5045 south-country, Negeb, south
and settledוַיֵּ֥שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3427 sit, remain, dwell
betweenבֵּין־bên-PrepositionH996 interval, space between
Kadeshקָדֵ֖שׁqā·ḏêšNoun - proper - feminine singularH6946 apartness, sacredness
and Shurשׁ֑וּרšūrNoun - proper - feminine singularH7793 Shur
While he was stayingוַיָּ֖גָרway·yā·ḡārConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1481 sojourn
in Gerarבִּגְרָֽר׃biḡ·rārPreposition-b; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1642 Gerar

Genesis 20:2

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֛ם’aḇ·rā·hāmNoun - proper - masculine singularH85 Abraham
saidוַיֹּ֧אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
ofאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
his wifeאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ’iš·tōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH802 woman, wife, female
Sarahשָׂרָ֥הśā·rāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH8283 Sarah
Sheהִ֑ואhîPronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
is my sisterאֲחֹ֣תִי’ă·ḥō·ṯîNoun - feminine singular construct; first person common singularH269 sister
So Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙’ă·ḇî·me·leḵNoun - proper - masculine singularH40 Abimelek
kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵNoun - masculine singular constructH4428 king
of Gerarגְּרָ֔רgə·rārNoun - proper - feminine singularH1642 Gerar
had Sarahשָׂרָֽה׃śā·rāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH8283 Sarah
broughtוַיִּשְׁלַ֗חway·yiš·laḥConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7971 send
to himוַיִּקַּ֖חway·yiq·qaḥConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3947 take

Genesis 20:3

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
One nightהַלָּ֑יְלָהhal·lā·yə·lāhArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3915 twist, night, adversity
howeverהַלָּ֑יְלָהhal·lā·yə·lāhArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3915 twist, night, adversity
Godאֱלֹהִ֛ים’ĕ·lō·hîmNoun - masculine pluralH430 God
cameוַיָּבֹ֧אway·yā·ḇōConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵNoun - proper - masculine singularH40 Abimelek
in a dreamבַּחֲל֣וֹםba·ḥă·lō·wmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH2472 dream
and toldוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
himל֗וֹlōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
You are as good as deadמֵת֙mêṯVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH4191 die
because ofעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
the womanהָאִשָּׁ֣הhā·’iš·šāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH802 woman, wife, female
you have takenלָקַ֔חְתָּlā·qaḥ·tāVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH3947 take
for sheוְהִ֖ואwə·hi·wConjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
is a marriedבְּעֻ֥לַתbə·‘u·laṯVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular constructH1166 marry, rule over
womanבָּֽעַל׃bā·‘alNoun - masculine singularH1167 owner, lord

Genesis 20:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Now Abimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְwa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH40 Abimelek
had notלֹ֥אlōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
goneקָרַ֖בqā·raḇVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH7126 come near, approach
near herאֵלֶ֑יהָ’ê·le·hāPreposition; third person feminine singularH413 motion to
so he repliedוַיֹּאמַ֕רway·yō·marConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Lordאֲדֹנָ֕י’ă·ḏō·nāyNoun - proper - masculine singularH136 lord
would You destroyתַּהֲרֹֽג׃ta·hă·rōḡVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularH2026 kill, slay
a nationהֲג֥וֹיhă·ḡō·wArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1471 nation, people
even thoughגַּם־gam-ConjunctionH1571 also, moreover, yea
it is innocentצַדִּ֖יקṣad·dîqAdjective - masculine singularH6662 just, righteous

Genesis 20:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Didn’tהֲלֹ֨אhă·lōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
tellאָֽמַר־’ā·mar-Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
meלִי֙lîPreposition; first person common singular
Sheהִ֔ואhîPronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
is my sisterאֲחֹ֣תִי’ă·ḥō·ṯîNoun - feminine singular construct; first person common singularH269 sister
And sheוְהִֽיא־wə·hî-Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
herselfהִ֥ואhîPronoun - third person feminine singularH1931 he, she
saidאָֽמְרָ֖ה’ā·mə·rāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH559 utter, say
Heה֑וּאhūPronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
is my brotherאָחִ֣י’ā·ḥîNoun - masculine singular construct; first person common singularH251 brother
I have doneעָשִׂ֥יתִי‘ā·śî·ṯîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH6213 do, make
thisזֹֽאת׃zōṯPronoun - feminine singularH2063 this
in the integrityבְּתָם־bə·ṯām-Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH8537 completeness, integrity
of my heartלְבָבִ֛יlə·ḇā·ḇîNoun - masculine singular construct; first person common singularH3824 inner man, mind, will, heart
and the innocenceוּבְנִקְיֹ֥ןū·ḇə·niq·yōnConjunctive waw, Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH5356 innocency
of my handsכַּפַּ֖יkap·payNoun - feminine dual construct; first person common singularH3709 hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, pan

Genesis 20:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Godהָֽאֱלֹהִ֜יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH430 God
saidוַיֹּאמֶר֩way·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
toאֵלָ֨יו’ê·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH413 motion to
in the dreamבַּחֲלֹ֗םba·ḥă·lōmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH2472 dream
Yesגַּ֣םgamConjunctionH1571 also, moreover, yea
Iאָנֹכִ֤י’ā·nō·ḵîPronoun - first person common singularH595 I
knowיָדַ֙עְתִּי֙yā·ḏa‘·tîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH3045 know
thatכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
you didעָשִׂ֣יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯāVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH6213 do, make
thisזֹּ֔אתzōṯPronoun - feminine singularH2063 this
with a clearבְתָם־ḇə·ṯām-Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH8537 completeness, integrity
conscienceלְבָבְךָ֙lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵāNoun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singularH3824 inner man, mind, will, heart
and so Iאָנֹכִ֛י’ā·nō·ḵîPronoun - first person common singularH595 I
have keptוָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְwā·’eḥ·śōḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singularH2820 withhold, refrain
youאֽוֹתְךָ֖’ō·wṯ·ḵāDirect object marker; second person masculine singularH853 mark of the accusative
from sinningמֵחֲטוֹ־mê·ḥă·ṭōw-Preposition-m; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH2398 miss
against Meלִ֑יlîPreposition; first person common singular
That is whyעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
I did notלֹא־lō-Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
letנְתַתִּ֖יךָnə·ṯat·tî·ḵāVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular; second person masculine singularH5414 give, put, set
you touchלִנְגֹּ֥עַlin·gō·a‘Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH5060 touch, reach, strike
herאֵלֶֽיהָ׃’ê·le·hāPreposition; third person feminine singularH413 motion to

Genesis 20:7

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāhConjunctive waw; AdverbH6258 now
returnהָשֵׁ֤בhā·šêḇVerb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularH7725 turn back, return
the man’sהָאִישׁ֙hā·’îšArticle; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
wifeאֵֽשֶׁת־’ê·šeṯ-Noun - feminine singular constructH802 woman, wife, female
forכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
heה֔וּאhūPronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
is a prophetנָבִ֣יאnā·ḇîNoun - masculine singularH5030 spokesman, speaker, prophet
he will prayוְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥לwə·yiṯ·pal·lêlConjunctive waw; Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singularH6419 intervene, interpose
for youבַּֽעַדְךָ֖ba·‘aḏ·ḵāPreposition; second person masculine singularH1157 separation
and you will liveוֶֽחְיֵ֑הweḥ·yêhConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularH2421 live
But ifוְאִם־wə·’im-ConjunctionH518 if
you do notאֵֽינְךָ֣’ê·nə·ḵāAdverb; second person masculine singularH369 nothing, nought
restore herמֵשִׁ֗יבmê·šîḇVerb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singularH7725 turn back, return
be awareדַּ֚עda‘Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularH3045 know
thatכִּי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
you will surely dieמ֣וֹתmō·wṯVerb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteH4191 die
youאַתָּ֖ה’at·tāhPronoun - second person masculine singularH859 thou
and allוְכָל־wə·ḵālConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
who belongאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
to youלָֽךְ׃lāḵPreposition; second person feminine singular

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Genesis 20:1 Genesis 26:6 · Genesis 26:1 · Genesis 18:1 · Psalm 29:8 · 2 Chronicles 14:13–14

Genesis 20:2 Genesis 12:15 · Genesis 26:7 · Genesis 12:11–13

Genesis 20:3 Genesis 20:7 · Matthew 27:19 · Psalm 105:14 · Job 33:15 · Genesis 28:12 · Matthew 1:20 · Genesis 31:24 · Genesis 37:9 · Matthew 2:12–13 · Job 4:12–13 · Jonah 3:4 · Genesis 40:8

Genesis 20:4 2 Samuel 4:11 · Genesis 18:23–25 · 1 Chronicles 21:17

Genesis 20:5 Psalm 7:8 · 1 Kings 9:4

Genesis 20:6 1 Samuel 25:34 · 1 Samuel 25:26 · Proverbs 21:1 · Genesis 35:5 · Genesis 31:7 · Exodus 34:24 · Psalm 84:11 · 2 Thessalonians 2:7 · Psalm 51:4 · 2 Corinthians 6:17 · Genesis 39:9 · Genesis 20:18

Genesis 20:7 Job 42:8 · 1 Samuel 7:5 · Hebrews 13:4 · 2 Samuel 24:17 · Revelation 11:5–6 · Numbers 16:32–33 · 2 Kings 5:11 · 1 Kings 13:6 · 1 Chronicles 16:22

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.