Genesis 20:10

KJV

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abimelech {H40} said {H559} unto Abraham {H85}, What {H4100} sawest thou {H7200}, that thou hast done {H6213} this thing {H1697}?

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 20:10 captures the profound and incredulous interrogation of King Abimelech to Abraham: "What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?" This pointed question immediately follows Abimelech's discovery of Abraham's deceptive act concerning Sarah, whom Abraham had presented as his sister rather than his wife. The verse underscores the pagan king's demand for accountability from the patriarch of faith, highlighting the moral gravity of Abraham's recurring lapse in integrity and the dangerous consequences that arise from fear-driven decisions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of Abraham's life, following his move from Mamre to Gerar. The immediate context details Abraham's decision to present Sarah as his sister, a half-truth intended to protect himself from potential harm from the Philistine king, Abimelech. This deception is strikingly similar to an earlier incident in Egypt recounted in [Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abraham and Sarah in Egypt"). God's direct intervention, through a dream warning to Abimelech (as seen in [Genesis 20:3-7](/genesis/20-3-7 "God's Warning to Abimelech")), prevents the king from unknowingly committing a grave sin and reveals Abraham's deceit. Abimelech's question in [Genesis 20:10](/genesis/20-10 "Abimelech's Confrontation with Abraham") is the climax of his righteous indignation and confusion, setting the stage for Abraham's weak justification and the subsequent resolution of the conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gerar was a Philistine city-state in the Negev region, ruled by King Abimelech. In the ancient Near East, the practice of a ruler taking a beautiful woman into his harem was not uncommon, and the perceived danger to a husband in such a situation was real. Abraham's fear, while understandable in a general sense, reveals a lack of trust in God's specific protection. The Philistines, though not part of the covenant community, possessed a moral code, as evidenced by Abimelech's genuine concern for righteousness and his immediate response to God's warning. This highlights that a basic understanding of right and wrong, often referred to as natural law, existed beyond the Mosaic covenant, allowing for figures like Abimelech to exhibit moral integrity that, in this instance, surpassed that of Abraham.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 20:10 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **human fallibility**, even among God's chosen patriarchs, as Abraham repeatedly succumbs to fear and deception despite God's covenant promises. Simultaneously, it underscores **God's unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant, as He sovereignly intervenes to protect Sarah and the promised lineage, ensuring His redemptive plan remains on track, as He did in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "The Call of Abraham and Early Trials"). The narrative also explores the theme of **divine justice and accountability**, demonstrating that God holds His people responsible for their actions and that moral integrity can be found in unexpected places, even among those outside the covenant, echoing the principles of righteous judgment found throughout Scripture, such as in [Romans 2:14-15](/romans/2-14-15 "The Law Written on the Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **What (Hebrew, _mâh'_ - H4100):** This interrogative particle, "mâh," signifies a direct and often incredulous question, probing for the reason or nature of something. In Abimelech's mouth, it conveys not just a request for information, but a sense of bewilderment and moral outrage, seeking to understand the underlying motive or perceived justification for Abraham's deeply troubling action. It implies, "What possible reason or perception could you have had?"
* **sawest thou (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_ - H7200):** The verb "râʼâh" means "to see," but it extends beyond mere physical sight to encompass perception, discernment, and understanding. Abimelech is asking what Abraham "perceived" or "discerned" in the situation that led him to such a drastic and deceptive measure. It delves into Abraham's internal reasoning and perspective, suggesting that Abimelech expects Abraham to have acted based on some perceived reality or threat, however misguided.
* **thing (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_ - H1697):** While "dâbâr" most commonly translates to "word," it broadly refers to a "matter," "affair," "deed," or "thing." In this context, it encapsulates the entire deceptive act—presenting Sarah as a sister, thereby endangering her and potentially Abimelech's household. Abimelech's use of "this thing" highlights the gravity and concrete nature of Abraham's morally compromising action, which has had tangible and dangerous consequences.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abimelech said unto Abraham,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of the question, immediately setting a tone of confrontation. Abimelech, as the king, is in a position of authority, and his direct address to Abraham signifies a demand for an explanation from the one who has caused such distress and moral peril.
* **"What sawest thou,"**: This is the core of Abimelech's inquiry, probing into Abraham's internal rationale. It's not merely "Why did you do this?" but "What did you perceive or foresee that led you to this?" Abimelech is trying to understand Abraham's perspective, seeking a justification for an action that appears utterly baseless and morally reprehensible from his own righteous standpoint.
* **"that thou hast done this thing?"**: This concluding phrase identifies the specific "thing" or action that is the subject of the inquiry—Abraham's deception regarding Sarah. The phrasing implies a direct causal link between Abraham's "seeing" (perception) and his "doing" (action). Abimelech's question is a sharp rebuke, highlighting the dangerous and morally ambiguous nature of Abraham's conduct and demanding an account for the harm it nearly caused.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Interrogation** to convey Abimelech's bewilderment and demand for accountability. The direct question, "What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?", serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the unreasonableness and moral failure of Abraham's actions. There is also a subtle form of **Irony** at play, as the pagan king, Abimelech, exhibits a higher degree of moral integrity and concern for righteousness than Abraham, the patriarch chosen by God. This ironic contrast highlights the universality of moral law and serves as a powerful indictment of Abraham's lapse in faith and integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Abimelech's question cuts to the heart of Abraham's repeated failure to fully trust God's protective hand, revealing a profound theological tension between human fear and divine faithfulness. Despite Abraham's significant moral lapse, God sovereignly intervenes to protect Sarah and, by extension, the covenant lineage through which the Messiah would come. This demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when His chosen instruments falter, assuring that His ultimate plans are not thwarted by human weakness. The narrative starkly contrasts Abimelech's moral indignation with Abraham's deceptive conduct, serving as a powerful call for integrity, especially from those who claim to follow God.

* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "The Fear of Man Lays a Snare")
* [2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "God Remains Faithful")
* [Romans 2:14-15](/romans/2-14-15 "The Law Written on the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abimelech's piercing question compels us to examine the underlying motives behind our own actions. Are our decisions driven by genuine faith in God's provision and protection, or by fear of circumstances, people, or potential loss? This passage serves as a powerful reminder that deception, even when seemingly for self-preservation, invariably leads to more complicated, dangerous, and morally compromising situations. Believers are called to embrace honesty and trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that while we are commanded to obey, God remains faithful to His purposes and can protect His people even when they make mistakes. Our failures do not negate His ultimate faithfulness, but they do highlight our need for His grace and constant reliance on His truth. This narrative encourages us to confront our fears with the truth of God's character and to live with integrity, knowing that true security is found in Him alone, not in our own cunning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sawest thou" in your own life that has led you to compromise your integrity or trust in God?**
* **How does fear for your own safety or reputation sometimes overshadow your faith in God's ability to protect and provide?**
* **In what ways might your actions, even those intended for self-preservation, inadvertently endanger others or compromise your witness?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with uncertain or threatening circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abraham lie about Sarah being his sister again?**

Answer: Abraham's repeated deception, first in Egypt ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abraham's Deception in Egypt")) and then in Gerar, stemmed from a deep-seated fear for his own life. He genuinely believed that his life would be in danger if his beautiful wife, Sarah, was known to be his spouse, as powerful foreign rulers might kill him to take her. While he technically stated a half-truth (Sarah was his half-sister, as he later explains in [Genesis 20:12](/genesis/20-12 "Abraham's Justification")), his intent was to deceive for self-preservation, demonstrating a significant lapse in faith regarding God's ability to protect him and His covenant promises. This recurring pattern highlights a persistent struggle with fear and a lack of full reliance on God's divine providence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 20:10, with its depiction of Abraham's moral failure and God's sovereign preservation of the covenant lineage, points powerfully to Christ. Abraham, the patriarch of faith, repeatedly falls short of perfect integrity, highlighting humanity's inherent sinfulness and inability to perfectly uphold God's standards. This recurring pattern of human weakness, even in God's chosen, underscores the desperate need for a perfect deliverer. Yet, God faithfully protects Sarah, the mother of the promised seed, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, which culminates in Jesus Christ. Christ is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")), the one who perfectly trusts God, perfectly speaks the truth, and perfectly fulfills God's covenant promises. Unlike Abraham, who feared for his life and resorted to deception, Jesus willingly laid down His life ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life")), trusting His Father completely, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), securing eternal salvation and demonstrating the perfect integrity and faithfulness that humanity, represented by Abraham, could not achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.