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 King Abimelech's direct and incredulous question to Abraham: "What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?" This interrogation follows Abimelech's discovery of Abraham's deception regarding Sarah, whom Abraham had presented as his sister, not his wife. The verse highlights the pagan king's demand for accountability from the patriarch of faith, underscoring the moral gravity of Abraham's repeated lapse in integrity and the dangerous consequences of fear-driven actions.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal question arises after Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar, discovers Abraham's deceit concerning Sarah, his wife, whom Abraham had introduced as his sister. This incident mirrors a similar deception Abraham committed earlier in his journey in [Genesis 12:13](/genesis/12-13 "Abraham's prior deception concerning Sarah"). God supernaturally intervened by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, preventing him from unknowingly sinning with Sarah and revealing Abraham's lie, as detailed in [Genesis 20:6](/genesis/20-6 "God's warning to Abimelech"). Having been spared from unintentional sin and now understanding the perilous nature of Abraham's act ([Genesis 20:2](/genesis/20-2 "Abraham's specific action of deception")), Abimelech confronts Abraham, demanding an explanation for his morally compromising and dangerous behavior.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Abimelech's question, "What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?", is a direct and pointed inquiry, reflecting both bewilderment and a demand for justification. The Hebrew phrase "מַה־רָאִיתָ" ( _mah ra'ita_), literally "What did you see?" or "What was your perception?", goes beyond a simple request for a reason. Abimelech is probing for the underlying perception or perceived threat that would compel Abraham, a man of God, to act with such profound deception and endanger not only himself but also Abimelech and his household. This suggests Abimelech is searching for some rational, albeit misguided, justification in Abraham's mind.

Abraham's actions stem from a deep-seated fear for his own life, prioritizing self-preservation over trusting God's covenant promises to protect him and his lineage. This recurring failure to fully trust God despite His repeated demonstrations of faithfulness reveals a significant moral lapse in the patriarch. Ironically, in this encounter, the pagan king Abimelech exhibits a higher degree of moral integrity and concern for righteousness than Abraham, the patriarch of faith. Abimelech's demand for accountability underscores that moral uprightness and a sense of justice are not exclusive to the covenant community, and can shame those within it who falter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Fear of Man vs. Faith in God:** Abraham's repeated deception highlights the spiritual danger of prioritizing self-preservation over trusting God's sovereign protection. His actions illustrate the snare of fearing human consequences more than God, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "The snare of fearing man").
* **Divine Protection and Faithfulness:** Despite Abraham's significant moral failure, God actively intervenes to protect Sarah and, by extension, the covenant lineage through which the Messiah would come. This demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His chosen instruments falter, assuring that His ultimate plans are not thwarted by human weakness ([2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "God's unwavering faithfulness")).
* **Integrity and Accountability:** 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. It underscores that actions have consequences and that God holds His people accountable, often through unexpected means.
* **The Universality of Moral Law:** Abimelech, a non-covenant figure, demonstrates an inherent understanding of moral right and wrong, suggesting a universal moral law inscribed on the human heart, to which even those outside of specific divine revelation can be held accountable.

### 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.

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

Answer: Abraham's repeated deception, first 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), his intent was to deceive for self-preservation, demonstrating a lapse in faith regarding God's ability to protect him.

### 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. Yet, God faithfully protects Sarah, the mother of the promised seed, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan. Christ is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, 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, trusting His Father completely, thereby 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.