CINXE.COM

<!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 20:10 Abimelech also asked Abraham, "What prompted you to do such a thing?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/20-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_20_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 20:10 - Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Abimelech also asked Abraham, What prompted you to do such a thing?" /><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><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/20-10.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/20-10.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 10</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="/ad10.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/20-9.htm" title="Genesis 20:9">◄</a> Genesis 20:10 <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm" title="Genesis 20:11">►</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 />And Abimelek asked Abraham, &#8220What was your reason for doing this?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, &#8220What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you seen, that you have done this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered <i>or</i> seen [in us or our customs], that you have done this [unjust] thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What made you do this? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech also said to Abraham, &#8220What did you intend when you did this thing?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What were you thinking when you did this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abimelech also asked Abraham, "What were you thinking when you did this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why did you do it?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Abimelech also asked Abraham, "What could you have been thinking when you did this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech also asked Abraham, ?What prompted you to do such a thing??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What prompted you to do this thing?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech said to Abraham, "What were you thinking, to do this thing?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Abimelech also says to Abraham, “What have you seen that you have done this thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Abimelech also saith unto Abraham, 'What hast thou seen that thou hast done this thing?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech will say to Abraham, What sawest thou that thou didst this thing?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And again he expostulated with him, and said, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And remonstrating him again, he said, “What did you see, so that you would do this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What did you have in mind,” Abimelech asked him, “that you would do such a thing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What were you thinking of, that you did this thing?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abimeleck said to Abraham, What induced you to do this thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abimelek said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have made this response?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham: 'What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraam, What hast thou seen in <i>me</i> that thou hast done this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/20-10.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=4463" 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">9</span>Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">also asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Abraham,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">prompted</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you to do</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">such</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a thing?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’…<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/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18-19</a></span><br />So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? / Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-9.htm">Genesis 26:9-10</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-21.htm">Exodus 32:21</a></span><br />“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">1 Samuel 21:1-2</a></span><br />Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9-10</a></span><br />Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. / Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">1 Kings 21:20</a></span><br />When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-25.htm">2 Kings 5:25-27</a></span><br />When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. / But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3-4</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. / Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-5.htm">Proverbs 19:5</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15</a></span><br />Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4-5</a></span><br />“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Matthew 5:37</a></span><br />Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></span><br />For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abimelech said to Abraham, What saw you, that you have done this thing?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/acts/17-18.htm">Encountered</a> <a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/revelation/17-18.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-1.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Thou</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/exodus/22-2.htm">Encountered</a> <a href="/genesis/25-30.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-5.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/genesis/24-6.htm">Thou</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Abimelech also asked Abraham,</b><br>Abimelech, the king of Gerar, is a significant figure in the narrative of Genesis. His interaction with Abraham highlights the recurring theme of God's protection over the patriarchs. The name "Abimelech" means "my father is king," which was a common title for Philistine kings. This encounter occurs after God warns Abimelech in a dream not to take Sarah as his wife, as she is married to Abraham. The setting is in the region of the Negev, a semi-arid desert area, which was a common place for nomadic tribes like Abraham's to dwell. This interaction underscores the importance of divine intervention and the moral integrity expected even among pagan kings.<p><b>“What prompted you to do such a thing?”</b><br>Abimelech's question to Abraham reveals a moral inquiry into Abraham's actions. Abraham had deceived Abimelech by claiming Sarah was his sister, a half-truth that endangered her and caused potential sin for Abimelech. This question reflects the ethical standards and expectations of honesty and integrity, even among those outside the covenant community. It also highlights the fear and misunderstanding that can arise from a lack of trust in God's promises. Abraham's actions are reminiscent of his earlier deception in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10-20</a>), showing a pattern of behavior driven by fear rather than faith. This moment serves as a reminder of the human tendency to rely on self-preservation rather than divine protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>- A patriarch of the faith, Abraham is central to this account. He is known for his faith in God but also for his human flaws, as seen in his deception regarding Sarah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>- The king of Gerar, who unknowingly takes Sarah into his household, believing her to be Abraham's sister. His interaction with God reveals his integrity and fear of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>- Abraham's wife, who is involved in the deception. Her beauty and connection to Abraham are pivotal to the events in this chapter.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a></b><br>- A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourn. It is the setting for the events of <a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Genesis 20</a>.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The ultimate authority in the account, who intervenes to protect Sarah and uphold His covenant with Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_fear_and_deception.htm">The Consequences of Fear and Deception</a></b><br>Abraham's fear leads him to deceive Abimelech, showing how fear can lead us away from trusting God. We must confront our fears with faith and honesty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>Despite human failings, God remains sovereign and protective of His covenant people. We can trust in God's faithfulness even when we falter.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_and_accountability.htm">Integrity and Accountability</a></b><br>Abimelech's response to God's warning demonstrates integrity and accountability. We should strive to act righteously and correct our wrongs when confronted with truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance_and_restoration.htm">The Importance of Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Abimelech's actions to restore Sarah and make amends highlight the importance of repentance and making things right with those we have wronged.<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/how_is_abraham's_faith_shown_in_genesis_20.htm">How can Abraham's actions in Genesis 20 be reconciled with later biblical claims that he was a model of faith and righteousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_abraham_rebuked_in_genesis_20.htm">How does Genesis 20 reconcile Abraham's repeated deception about Sarah being his sister without clear rebuke or consequence to Abraham?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_abimelech_in_genesis_26_8_related.htm">How do we reconcile the figure called Abimelech here (Genesis 26:8) with the Abimelech who interacted with Abraham generations earlier?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_genesis_20_a_repeated_deception_pattern.htm">Does the account in Genesis 20 conflict with similar narratives in Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 26:1-11, implying a repeated pattern of deception?</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>(10) <span class= "bld">What sawest thou?</span>--Some modern commentators explain the Hebrew as meaning, What purpose hadst thou? What didst thou look for? But the old rendering is probably right. Abimelech first denies by indignant questions that he had been guilty of any wrong towards Abraham, and then asks what he had seen in the conduct of himself and people to justify such mistrust of them. Throughout, the king speaks as a man conscious that his citizens so respected the rights of a stranger and of marriage, that Sarah would have been perfectly safe had Abraham openly said that she was his wife.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou</span>, - either, What hadst thou in view? (Knobel, Delitzsch, Keil, Murphy, <span class="accented">et alii</span>), or, What didst thou see? <span class="cmt_word">Didst thou see any of my people taking the</span> wives of strangers and murdering their husbands? <span class="cmt_word">(</span>Rosenmüller, 'Speaker's Commentary') - <span class="cmt_word">that thou hast done this thing?</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/20-10.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">Abimelech</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">also asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</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">Abraham,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prompted</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֔יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you to do</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשִׂ֖יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">such</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a thing?”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/20-10.htm">Genesis 20:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/20-10.htm">OT Law: Genesis 20:10 Abimelech said to Abraham What did you (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/20-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 20:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/20-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 20:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:11" /></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>