Genesis 20:5

Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

Said {H559} he not unto me, She {H1931} is my sister {H269}? and she {H1931}, even {H1571} she {H1931} herself said {H559}, He is my brother {H251}: in the integrity {H8537} of my heart {H3824} and innocency {H5356} of my hands {H3709} have I done {H6213} this.

Didn't he himself say to me, 'She is my sister'? And even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In doing this, my heart has been pure and my hands innocent."

Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

Said he not himself unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.

Commentary

Genesis 20:5 records King Abimelech's defense to God after God appeared to him in a dream, threatening him with death for taking Sarah, Abraham's wife. Abimelech pleads his innocence, asserting that he acted under the belief that Sarah was Abraham's sister, a claim both Abraham and Sarah themselves had made.

Context

This verse is part of a narrative where Abraham, fearing for his life in Gerar, instructs his wife Sarah to present herself as his sister. This was not the first time Abraham employed such a tactic; a similar event occurred in Egypt (see Genesis 12:13). Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar, takes Sarah into his household, intending to make her his wife, unaware of her true marital status. God intervenes supernaturally, coming to Abimelech in a dream to warn him and prevent him from committing a great sin against Abraham and Sarah, thus protecting His covenant promises.

Key Themes

  • Human Deception and Divine Intervention: The passage starkly contrasts Abraham's fearful and flawed attempt at self-preservation through deception with God's active, righteous intervention to protect His people and His covenant. God's omniscience is highlighted as He reveals Abimelech's unwitting transgression.
  • Integrity and Innocence: Abimelech's plea emphasizes his good faith. He genuinely believed Abraham and Sarah's claim. God acknowledges this, stating in the very next verse that He knew Abimelech acted with "integrity of heart" and therefore prevented him from sinning against Him. This highlights the biblical principle that God considers the intent of the heart.
  • God's Protection of His Covenant: Despite Abraham's moral failing, God remains faithful to His promise to Abraham, protecting Sarah and ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

Linguistic Insights

The phrases "integrity of my heart" (Hebrew: תֹּם־לְבָבִי, tom-l'vavi) and "innocency of my hands" (Hebrew: נִקְּיֹן כַּפַּי, nikkyon kappay) are significant.

  • Tom-l'vavi (integrity of my heart): This refers to a completeness or blamelessness of intention. Abimelech’s inner motive was not to commit adultery or wrong Abraham, but rather to honor what he believed was a legitimate arrangement. It speaks to a pure conscience in this particular matter.
  • Nikkyon kappay (innocency of my hands): This signifies purity or cleanness of actions. His external deeds, in taking Sarah, were based on a misunderstanding rather than malicious intent or knowing transgression. These phrases together form a strong legal and moral defense, which God Himself validates.

Practical Application

This verse offers several valuable lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Truthfulness: Abraham's half-truth created a dangerous situation, even for an innocent party like Abimelech. It underscores the importance of honesty in all our dealings, as deception can lead to unintended complications and potential sin.
  • God's Knowledge of Our Hearts: Abimelech's experience reminds us that God sees beyond outward actions to the intentions of the heart. While we are accountable for our deeds, God also considers our motives and whether we act in ignorance or with deliberate malice.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: Even when His people falter in faith, God remains faithful to His promises and protects them. This narrative is a powerful testament to God's sovereign care over His chosen ones, even when they make poor choices.
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

  • Psalms 7:8

    The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity [that is] in me.

  • 1 Kings 9:4

    And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, [and] wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

  • Joshua 22:22

    The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if [it be] in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)

  • Psalms 25:21

    Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10

    Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • Daniel 6:22

    My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
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