Genesis 20:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Avimelekh said, "Look, my country lies before you; live where you like."

Berean Standard Bible:

And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”

American Standard Version:

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Abimelech^{H40} said^{H559}, Behold, my land^{H776} is before thee^{H6440}: dwell^{H3427} where it pleaseth^{{H2896}{H5869}} thee.

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Commentary for Genesis 20:15

Genesis 20:15 is part of the narrative involving Abraham, his wife Sarah, and King Abimelech of Gerar. The historical context of this verse is set during one of Abraham's sojourns in the Negeb region. The themes present in this chapter include:

1. **Hospitality and Xenophobia**: The chapter begins with Abraham's concern for his safety in a foreign land, prompting him to tell Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, not his wife. This was a half-truth meant to protect himself, as Sarah was indeed his half-sister. Abraham's fear reflects the tensions that could exist between nomadic groups and settled populations.

2. **Divine Intervention**: Despite Abraham's deception, God intervenes to protect Sarah's virtue by preventing Abimelech from touching her. God confronts Abimelech in a dream, revealing the true relationship between Abraham and Sarah, and threatening punishment if Sarah is not returned.

3. **Righteousness and Repentance**: Upon learning the truth, Abimelech demonstrates his integrity by confronting Abraham about the deception. He also shows his repentance by seeking to make amends, offering Abraham his choice of land and bestowing gifts upon him.

4. **Covenantal Relationships**: The interaction between Abraham and Abimelech is marked by a covenantal oath, where Abraham prays for Abimelech's household, and Abimelech acknowledges Abraham's status as a prophet.

5. **The Role of Women**: The story also touches on the role and treatment of women in patriarchal societies. Sarah's value is recognized, and her honor is defended both by divine intervention and by Abimelech's actions.

In summary, Genesis 20:15 reflects the themes of hospitality, divine providence, moral integrity, and the sanctity of marriage. It occurs within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives, which detail the lives and journeys of the ancestors of Israel, establishing their relationship with God and with other peoples. Abimelech's offer of land to Abraham highlights the respect shown to Abraham as a man of God and sets a precedent for the treatment of strangers in one's land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2896
   There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טוֹב
   Transliteration: ṭôwb
   Pronunciation: tobe
   Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).