Genesis 20:3

¶ But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.

But God {H430} came {H935} to Abimelech {H40} in a dream {H2472} by night {H3915}, and said {H559} to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man {H4191}, for the woman {H802} which thou hast taken {H3947}; for she is a man's {H1167} wife {H1166}.

But God came to Avimelekh in a dream one night and said to him, "You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, since she is someone's wife."

One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.

Commentary

Genesis 20:3 records a dramatic divine intervention where God confronts Abimelech, King of Gerar, in a dream. Abimelech had taken Sarah, Abraham's wife, believing she was his sister due to Abraham's deception. This verse highlights God's immediate and severe warning, declaring Abimelech a "dead man" for his unwitting action, underscoring the sanctity of marriage and God's active protection of His covenant promises.

Context

This event occurs shortly after Abraham and Sarah relocate to Gerar. It mirrors a previous incident in Egypt (see Genesis 12:13), where Abraham again presented Sarah as his sister out of fear for his life. Abimelech, unaware of Sarah's true marital status, took her into his household, likely intending to marry her. God's direct communication through a dream signifies His urgent intervention to protect Sarah, who was crucial to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, particularly the promise of a son through whom nations would be blessed (Genesis 17:16).

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: God is not a passive observer but actively intervenes in human affairs, even in the middle of the night through dreams (Job 33:15), to protect His people and His divine plan.
  • Sanctity of Marriage: The severe warning to Abimelech emphasizes the sacredness of the marital bond. God views taking a married woman, even unknowingly, as a grave offense with potentially fatal consequences, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in marriage (Hebrews 13:4).
  • God's Faithfulness Despite Human Failure: Despite Abraham's repeated lack of faith and deceptive behavior, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. He protects Sarah and the lineage through which the Messiah would come, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His word (2 Timothy 2:13).
  • Consequences of Sin: Even though Abimelech acted in ignorance, God's warning shows that sin, particularly against God's moral law, carries serious repercussions. God's grace is seen in His warning before judgment, giving Abimelech an opportunity to repent.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou art but a dead man" (Hebrew: hinnəkā mēt) is a strong declaration, indicating not just a threat of future death but a present state of being under divine judgment or condemnation. It suggests that Abimelech's actions had already sealed his fate unless divine intervention or repentance occurred. The emphasis on "she is a man's wife" (Hebrew: bə‘alat ba‘al) explicitly defines the woman's status, highlighting the gravity of violating the marital covenant.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His deep concern for moral purity, especially within the sacred institution of marriage. It encourages believers to trust in God's protection, even when facing fear or uncertainty, rather than resorting to deception. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of seeking God's will and understanding His laws, as ignorance does not always negate the consequences of sin. God's grace in warning Abimelech also points to His desire for repentance and restoration.

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

  • Matthew 27:19

    When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

  • Genesis 20:7

    Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; for he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore [her] not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that [are] thine.

  • Job 33:15

    In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

  • Psalms 105:14

    He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

  • Genesis 28:12

    And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

  • Matthew 1:20

    But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

  • Jonah 3:4

    And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
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