Genesis 20:4

But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

But Abimelech {H40} had not come near {H7126} her: and he said {H559}, Lord {H136}, wilt thou slay {H2026} also a righteous {H6662} nation {H1471}?

Now Avimelekh had not come near her; so he said, "Lord, will you kill even an upright nation?

Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, โ€œLord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?

Commentary

Genesis 20:4 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, revealing Abimelech's earnest plea to God after being divinely warned about taking Sarah, Abraham's wife. This verse underscores Abimelech's blamelessness in the situation and his appeal to God's character as a just judge.

Context

This incident details Abraham's second recorded instance of misrepresenting Sarah as his sister, echoing a similar event in Egypt (Genesis 12:13). Abraham, fearing for his life in Gerar, where Abimelech was king, told a half-truth about his relationship with Sarah. Unaware of Sarah's true marital status, Abimelech honorably took her into his household. God directly intervened, appearing to Abimelech in a dream (Genesis 20:3) and warning him of impending death unless he returned Sarah. This verse records Abimelech's immediate, startled response, protesting his innocence and that of his people to God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Faithfulness: Despite Abraham's repeated lapse in integrity, God remains steadfast in His covenant promises, actively protecting Sarah and ensuring the preservation of the lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come.
  • God's Justice and Righteousness: Abimelech's desperate question, "Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?", directly appeals to God's character as a just and discerning judge. It highlights the principle that God differentiates between the innocent and the guilty, a theme also seen in Abraham's intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:23).
  • Innocence Through Ignorance: The phrase "Abimelech had not come near her" confirms his physical innocence, and his plea emphasizes that his actions were based on a lack of knowledge regarding Sarah's true status. He and his people were "righteous" in this specific instance because they acted without malicious intent or full understanding.
  • Fear of God: Abimelech, a pagan king, demonstrates a remarkable and immediate reverence for the God of Abraham, acknowledging His power over life and death and His moral authority.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "righteous" (ืฆึทื“ึผึดื™ืง, tzaddiq) in this context signifies being just, innocent, or blameless in a particular situation. Abimelech uses it to assert his and his nation's blamelessness concerning the specific act of taking Sarah, as they were entirely unaware of her marriage to Abraham. This emphasizes their moral standing in that particular circumstance rather than their overall spiritual condition.

Practical Application

Genesis 20:4 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • It powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and commitment to His divine plan, even when His chosen people (like Abraham) falter in their faith or integrity.
  • It reassures us of God's perfect justice and discernment. He is not arbitrary but judges with perfect knowledge, distinguishing between intentional sin and actions taken in ignorance.
  • The narrative implicitly warns against the consequences of deception, even seemingly minor ones. Abraham's untruth created a dangerous situation for Sarah and put Abimelech's household at risk.
  • It reminds us that God can work through various individuals, even those outside the immediate covenant community, to accomplish His will and reveal His character.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 18:23

    ยถ And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • 1 Chronicles 21:17

    And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

  • Genesis 20:17

    So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare [children].

  • Genesis 20:18

    For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

  • 2 Samuel 4:11

    How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

  • Genesis 19:24

    ยถ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
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