Genesis 20:12

And yet indeed [she is] my sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

And yet indeed {H546} she is my sister {H269}; she is the daughter {H1323} of my father {H1}, but not the daughter {H1323} of my mother {H517}; and she became my wife {H802}.

But she actually is also my sister, the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother, and so she became my wife.

Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife.

And moreover she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife:

Commentary

Context of Genesis 20:12

Genesis 20:12 is part of a narrative where Abraham, having settled in Gerar, introduces his wife Sarah as his sister to King Abimelech. This was not an outright lie, but a dangerous half-truth. Abraham had previously employed the same deception in Egypt, as recorded in Genesis 12:13. In this instance, after Abimelech took Sarah into his household, God intervened directly through dreams, warning Abimelech of the danger and revealing Sarah's true identity as Abraham's wife (Genesis 20:3-7). When confronted by Abimelech, Abraham offers this verse as his explanation, attempting to justify his actions by revealing the partial truth of their relationship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Abraham's Fear and Deception: The primary motivation for Abraham's actions was fear for his own life (Genesis 20:11). Despite his faith and the promises God had made to him, Abraham still succumbed to human weakness and resorted to deception, highlighting that even great figures of faith are fallible.
  • Divine Protection and Faithfulness: Even in Abraham's failure, God remained faithful to His covenant promises. He actively protected Sarah and prevented Abimelech from sinning unknowingly, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His chosen people and the lineage through which the Messiah would come. This highlights God's sovereignty over human actions and His commitment to His covenant with Abraham.
  • The Nature of Half-Truths: Abraham's statement is a classic example of a half-truth. While Sarah was indeed his half-sister (sharing the same father, Terah, but different mothers), presenting her merely as his sister without clarifying her marital status was a calculated deception designed to protect himself, but which put Sarah and Abimelech in grave danger. It underscores the perilous nature of partial honesty.
  • Ancient Marriage Customs: This verse reveals that marriage between half-siblings (specifically, paternal half-siblings) was permissible, though not necessarily common, in early patriarchal society. This practice would later be prohibited under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:9).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother" clearly defines the relationship as that of a paternal half-sister. The Hebrew word for "sister" ('achot) can sometimes have a broader meaning, but the explicit clarification here leaves no ambiguity about the specific familial connection between Abraham and Sarah. This distinction was crucial for Abraham's partial defense, though it did not excuse the deception inherent in his withholding the full truth.

Practical Application

Genesis 20:12 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Danger of Fear: Fear can lead even the most faithful to make compromised decisions. Trusting God's promises completely, even in uncertain circumstances, is vital (Proverbs 29:25).
  • The Importance of Full Honesty: Partial truths are still forms of deception and can lead to significant complications and harm to others. Integrity requires complete honesty in all dealings.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: Despite our human failings, God remains faithful to His word and His people. His grace and protection extend even when we falter, ensuring His purposes are ultimately fulfilled. This is a comforting reminder of God's steadfast love.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 11:29 (3 votes)

    And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (2 votes)

    Abstain from all appearance of evil.

  • Genesis 12:13 (2 votes)

    Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.