Genesis 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

And God {H430} said {H559} unto him in a dream {H2472}, Yea {H1571}, I know {H3045} that thou didst {H6213} this in the integrity {H8537} of thy heart {H3824}; for I also withheld {H2820} thee from sinning {H2398} against me: therefore suffered {H5414} I thee not to touch {H5060} her.

God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in doing this, your heart has been pure; and I too have kept you from sinning against me. This is why I didn't let you touch her.

Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Commentary

Genesis 20:6 is a pivotal verse that reveals God's active involvement in human affairs, even in preventing sin and protecting His covenant people. It details God's direct communication with King Abimelech of Gerar in a dream, acknowledging Abimelech's innocent intentions regarding Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Context

This incident in Gerar marks the second time Abraham presented his wife, Sarah, as his sister out of fear for his life (the first being in Egypt, as seen in Genesis 12:13). King Abimelech, unaware of Sarah's true marital status, took her into his household, intending to marry her. God intervened before Abimelech could consummate the marriage, striking his household with barrenness and appearing to him in a dream to reveal the truth and warn him of the consequences of touching Sarah. This divine intervention highlights God's commitment to protecting the purity of the lineage through which the promised Messiah would come, as well as the covenant promises made to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3).

Key Themes

  • Divine Knowledge and Omniscience: God declares, "I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart." This emphasizes God's perfect knowledge of human motives and intentions, not just their actions. He saw Abimelech's pure intentions, even though his actions, if completed, would have been sinful. As Scripture teaches, God looks at the heart, not merely the outward appearance.
  • Divine Restraint from Sin: The most striking aspect is God's active role in withholding Abimelech from sinning. God states, "I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her." This demonstrates God's sovereign power to prevent evil, even when humans are unaware of the danger or their own potential for wrongdoing. This act of divine grace protected Abimelech from unknowingly committing a grave sin against God and Abraham.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: Even though Abimelech was innocent in intention, God clarifies that touching Sarah would have been "sinning against me." This underscores that sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and even ignorance does not negate the act's offensive nature to a holy God, though it does affect culpability.
  • Protection of God's Covenant: God's intervention was crucial for the continuation of the covenant lineage through Sarah. Had she been defiled, it would have jeopardized the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "integrity of thy heart" translates the Hebrew tom-lev (תֹּם לְבָבְךָ), which signifies completeness, blamelessness, or sincerity of heart. It implies Abimelech's genuine lack of malicious intent or knowledge of Sarah's married status. God acknowledges this inner state, distinguishing it from an intentional transgression.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound comfort and challenge. Firstly, it reminds us that God is actively involved in our lives, sometimes intervening in ways we don't perceive, to protect us from ourselves or from unknowingly falling into sin. It highlights God's grace, even towards those outside His direct covenant, when their intentions are pure. Secondly, it teaches us the importance of having a "heart of integrity" before God, knowing that He sees our true motives. While we are accountable for our actions, God also considers the sincerity of our intentions. Finally, it reinforces the truth that all sin, whether intentional or not, is ultimately an offense against God, and His holiness demands a standard that only He can uphold perfectly.

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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

  • 1 Samuel 25:34 (9 votes)

    For in very deed, [as] the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

  • 1 Samuel 25:26 (8 votes)

    Now therefore, my lord, [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

  • Proverbs 21:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

  • Genesis 35:5 (6 votes)

    And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

  • Genesis 31:7 (6 votes)

    And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

  • Psalms 84:11 (4 votes)

    For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • Exodus 34:24 (4 votes)

    For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.