King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Avimelekh went on, asking Avraham, "Whatever could have caused you to do such a thing?"
Berean Standard Bible:
Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”
American Standard Version:
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Abimelech{H40} said{H559} unto Abraham{H85}, What{H4100} sawest thou{H7200}, that thou hast done{H6213} this thing{H1697}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 20:10
Genesis 20:10 is part of the narrative involving Abraham, Sarah, and King Abimelech of Gerar. The historical context of this verse is set during one of Abraham's sojourns in the land of Canaan. The themes present in this chapter include:
1. **Deception and Consequences**: Abraham deceives Abimelech by presenting his wife Sarah as his sister, fearing for his life because of Sarah's beauty. This deception nearly leads to Sarah being taken into Abimelech's harem, which would have jeopardized God's promise to Abraham that he would have a child through Sarah.
2. **Divine Intervention**: Before Abimelech can touch Sarah, God intervenes in a dream, warning the king of the impending sin and its consequences. Abimelech, who is unaware of the deception, is spared from committing a grave mistake through divine revelation.
3. **Moral Integrity and Righteousness**: Abimelech confronts Abraham about his actions, demonstrating a sense of moral integrity and concern for righteousness. Despite being a pagan king, Abimelech appears more morally upright in this situation than Abraham, who is the patriarch of the Israelites and recipient of God's promises.
4. **Repentance and Restitution**: The confrontation leads to an admission of guilt by Abraham and a plea for forgiveness. Abraham explains his fear-based motivation for the deception. Abimelech responds by offering restitution and ensuring the safety of Abraham and Sarah.
5. **Covenantal Relationships**: The episode underscores the complexities of covenantal relationships, both with God and among people. Abraham's actions put the covenant promise at risk, while Abimelech's response, under God's guidance, helps to preserve it.
In summary, Genesis 20:10 is part of a narrative that explores themes of deception, divine protection, moral integrity, and the challenges faced by the patriarchs in their covenantal relationship with God. It also highlights the role of non-Israelites in the unfolding of God's plan, as Abimelech acts justly and receives blessing for doing so.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H40
There are 1102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼĂbîymelek
Pronunciation: ab-ee-mel'-ek
Description: from אָב and מֶלֶךְ; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites; Abimelech. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H85
There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham. - Strong's Number: H4100
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָה
Transliteration: mâh
Pronunciation: maw
Description: or מַה; or מָ; or מַ; also מֶה; a primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.