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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, "Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/20-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/01_Gen_20_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 20:4 - Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/20-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/20-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm" title="Genesis 20:3">◄</a> Genesis 20:4 <a href="/genesis/20-5.htm" title="Genesis 20:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, &#8220Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You kill a nation, even <i>though</i> blameless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, &#8220Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, wilt Thou slay a nation, even <i>though</i> blameless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />(Now Abimelech had not come near her.) Then he said, “Lord, will You kill a nation, even <i>though</i> righteous?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not yet come near her; so he said, “Lord, will you kill a people who are righteous <i>and</i> innocent <i>and</i> blameless [regarding Sarah]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not approached her, so he said, “Lord, would you destroy a nation even though it is innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not approached her, so he said, &#8220Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abimelech hadn't come near her, so he asked, "Lord, will you destroy a nation even if it's innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not come near her, and he said, "Lord, I am innocent! Would you destroy me and my people? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not yet come near her, so he asked, "LORD, will you destroy an innocent nation? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, "Lord, would you really slaughter an innocent nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou also slay a righteous nation?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech has not drawn near to her, and he says, “Lord, do you also slay a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abimelech hath not drawn near unto her, and he saith, 'Lord, also a righteous nation dost thou slay?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech came not near to her: and he will say, Lord, wilt thou also slay a just nation?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not touched her, and he said : Lord, wilt thou slay a nation, that is ignorant and justl <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In truth, Abimelech had not touched her, and so he said: “Lord, would you put to death a people, ignorant and just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech, who had not approached her, said: “O Lord, would you kill an innocent man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not approached her; so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent people?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Abimeleck had not touched her; and he said, O LORD, wilt thou slay an innocent people?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abimelek did not touch her and Abimelek said, “LORD JEHOVAH, do you also kill innocent people?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said: 'Lord, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, Lord, wilt thou destroy an ignorantly <i>sinning</i> and just nation?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/20-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4392" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>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.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: wa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Now Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: qā·raḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">gone</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. ">near her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">so he replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">“Lord,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: ta·hă·rōḡ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">would You destroy</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hă·ḡō·w (Art:: N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">a nation</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">even though</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">it is innocent?</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Genesis 12:17</a></span><br />The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a></span><br />Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-29.htm">Genesis 19:29</a></span><br />So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9-11</a></span><br />Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.” / “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” / So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Exodus 20:7</a></span><br />You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Exodus 34:7</a></span><br />maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a></span><br />Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Numbers 16:22</a></span><br />But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a></span><br />He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-12.htm">1 Samuel 24:12</a></span><br />May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-17.htm">2 Samuel 24:17</a></span><br />When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-32.htm">1 Kings 8:32</a></span><br />then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-10.htm">Job 34:10-12</a></span><br />Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. / For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. / Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/7-8.htm">Psalm 7:8-9</a></span><br />The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity. / Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Psalm 19:12-13</a></span><br />Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. / Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, will you slay also a righteous nation?</p><p class="hdg">had.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Genesis 20:6,18</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="hdg">wilt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Genesis 20:17,18</a></b></br> So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare <i>children</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23-25</a></b></br> And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24</a></b></br> Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-7.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/genesis/18-28.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/genesis/18-28.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/18-28.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/genesis/44-10.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/8-9.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/genesis/33-7.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/genesis/44-10.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/genesis/20-5.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Abraham sojourns at Gerar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">He rebukes Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Restores Sarah;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">and reproves her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The phrase indicates that he had not engaged in any intimate relations with Sarah, Abraham's wife. This detail is crucial as it underscores Abimelech's innocence in the situation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings often took women into their harems, but Abimelech's restraint here is significant. It highlights the divine intervention that prevented him from sinning unknowingly. This also reflects God's protection over Sarah and the fulfillment of His promise to Abraham regarding his offspring.<p><b>so he replied,</b><br>Abimelech's response is directed towards God, indicating a direct communication with the divine. This interaction suggests that God had revealed the truth to Abimelech in a dream, a common means of divine communication in the Old Testament. Dreams were often seen as a medium through which God conveyed His will or warnings, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Joseph's dreams in <a href="/genesis/37.htm">Genesis 37</a> and Pharaoh's dreams in <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Genesis 41</a>.<p><b>“Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?</b><br>Abimelech's plea to God reflects a deep understanding of divine justice. The use of "Lord" signifies recognition of God's sovereignty and authority. The question posed by Abimelech echoes the intercessory dialogue between Abraham and God regarding Sodom and Gomorrah in <a href="/genesis/18.htm">Genesis 18</a>, where Abraham questions if God would destroy the righteous with the wicked. This rhetorical question implies that Abimelech sees his nation as innocent in this matter, as they acted without knowledge of Sarah's true marital status. It also highlights the broader biblical theme of God's justice and mercy, where God is portrayed as a righteous judge who considers the innocence or guilt of individuals and nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The king of Gerar, who unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his household, believing she was Abraham's sister.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, who was taken by Abimelech due to Abraham's misleading claim that she was his sister.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch who, out of fear for his life, misled Abimelech by saying Sarah was his sister.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a></b><br>A Philistine city where Abimelech ruled and where the events of this chapter take place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_intervention.htm">God's Intervention</a></b><br>God intervenes by warning Abimelech in a dream, preventing him from sinning against Him by taking Sarah as his wife.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>Despite human failings, God intervenes to protect His covenant promises. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truthfulness.htm">The Importance of Truthfulness</a></b><br>Abraham's deception leads to potential disaster. Upholding truth is crucial in our relationships and witness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>Abimelech's plea highlights God's just nature. He is merciful and just, sparing those who act in innocence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_vs._faith.htm">Fear vs. Faith</a></b><br>Abraham's actions were driven by fear rather than faith. Believers are called to trust God rather than succumb to fear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention_in_human_affairs.htm">Divine Intervention in Human Affairs</a></b><br>God actively intervenes in human history to accomplish His purposes, reminding us of His active presence in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_respect_and_honor_your_parents.htm">Do you respect and honor your parents?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_penalize_abimelech,_not_deceiver.htm">Why would an omniscient God penalize Abimelech and his household in Genesis 20:18 when Abraham was the one who deceived him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_key_jewish_practices_late_in_ot.htm">Why does the Old Testament lack references to key Jewish practices (such as strict monotheism) until much later historical periods?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">A righteous nation.</span>--Knobel has pointed out that there is an allusion here to the fate of Sodom. Though the malady was confined to Abimelech and his household, yet he sees destruction threatening his whole people, who, compared with the inhabitants of the Ciccar cities, were righteous. There is indirect proof: of the truth of Abimelech's assertion in the fact that death (see <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm" title="But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, you are but a dead man, for the woman which you have taken; for she is a man's wife.">Genesis 20:3</a>) is acquiesced in as the fitting punishment for adultery.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But Abimelech had not come near her</span>. Apparently withheld by the peculiar disease which had overtaken him. The statement of the present verse (a similar one to which is not made with reference to Pharaoh) was clearly rendered necessary by the approaching birth of Isaac, who might otherwise have been said to be the child not of Abraham, but of the Philistine king. <span class="cmt_word">And he said, Lord</span><span class="accented">, - Adonai</span> (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?</span> Anticipating that the stroke of Divine judgment was about to fall upon his people as well as on himself, with allusion to the fate of Sodom (Knobel), which he deprecates for his people at least on the ground that they are innocent of the offence charged against him (cf. <a href="/2_samuel/24-17.htm">2 Samuel 24:17</a>). That Abimelech and his people, like Melchisedeck and his subjects, had some knowledge of the true God, and that the Canaanites generally at this period had not reached the depth of moral degradation into which the cities of the Jordan circle had sunk before their overthrow, is apparent from the narrative. The comparative virtue, therefore, of these tribes was a proof that the hour had not arrived for the infliction on them of the doom of extermination. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/20-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now Abimelech</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gone near her,</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרַ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(qā·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so he replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Lord,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֕י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would You destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּהֲרֹֽג׃</span> <span class="translit">(ta·hă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a nation</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲג֥וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hă·ḡō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even though</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is innocent?</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֖יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">OT Law: Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelech had not come near her (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 20:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/20-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 20:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>