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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 20:3 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/20-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_20_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 20:3 - Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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'; 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she is a married woman.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” <a href="/esv/genesis/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/20.htm">King James Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/20.htm">New King James Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, &#8220Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.” <a href="/amp/genesis/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night, and said, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken [as your wife], for she is another man’s wife.” <a href="/csb/genesis/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, &#8220You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. <a href="/cev/genesis/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream and said, "You have taken a married woman into your home, and for this you will die!" <a href="/erv/genesis/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, because of the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. <a href="/gwt/genesis/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You're going to die because of the woman that you've taken! She's a married woman!" <a href="/gnt/genesis/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> One night God appeared to him in a dream and said, "You are going to die, because you have taken this woman; she is already married." <a href="/isv/genesis/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night and spoke to him, "Pay attention! You're about to die, because the woman you have taken is a man's wife!" <a href="/msb/genesis/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/genesis/20.htm">NET Bible</a> But God appeared to Abimelech in a dream at night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is someone else's wife." <a href="/nheb/genesis/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Look, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man's wife." <a href="/wbt/genesis/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, on account of the woman whom thou hast taken: for she is a man's wife. <a href="/web/genesis/20.htm">World English Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And God comes to Abimelech in a dream of the night and says to him, “Behold, you [are] a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken—and she married to a husband.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And God cometh in unto Abimelech in a dream of the night, and saith to him, 'Lo, thou art a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken -- and she married to a husband.' <a href="/slt/genesis/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And God will come to Abimelech in a dream at night, and say to him, Behold, thou dead, for the woman which thou didst take, and she having married a husband.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and he said to him: Lo thou shalt die for the woman thou hast taken: for she hath a husband. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then God came to Abimelech through a dream in the night, and he said to him: “Lo, you shall die because of the woman that you have taken. For she has a husband.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/20.htm">New American Bible</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him: You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, for she has a husband. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “You are about to die because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a married woman.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But God came to Abimeleck in a dream by night and said to him, Behold, you will die on account of the woman whom you have taken; for she is another man's wife. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And God came upon Abimelek in a dream of the night and said to him: “Behold, you die for the sake of the woman whom you have taken, because she is the wife of a man.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him: 'Behold, thou shalt die, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.' <a href="/sep/genesis/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And God came to Abimelech by night in sleep, and said, Behold, thou diest for the woman, whom thou hast taken, whereas she has lived with a husband. <a href="/parallel/genesis/20-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4381" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech</a> …2Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. 3<a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lā·yə·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">One night, however,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <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/2472.htm" title="2472: ba·ḥă·lō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A dream. Or chalom; from chalam; a dream.">in a dream</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.">and told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nə·ḵā (Interjection:: 2ms) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">“You are as good as dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">because of</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qaḥ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">you have taken,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hi·w (Conj-w:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">for she</a> <a href="/hebrew/1166.htm" title="1166: bə·‘u·laṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fsc) -- To marry, rule over. A primitive root; to be master; hence, to marry.">is a married</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: bā·‘al (N-ms) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">woman.”</a> 4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Genesis 12:17</a> The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a> But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7-11</a> But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” / When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. / 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.” ... <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-16</a> In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a> But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. <a href="/acts/10-10.htm">Acts 10:10-16</a> He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. / It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. ... <a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Matthew 27:19</a> While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.” <a href="/daniel/2-1.htm">Daniel 2:1-3</a> In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. / So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, / he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.” <a href="/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9-12</a> Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?” / And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: / ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” ... <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9-10</a> During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. <a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a> One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Matthew 2:22</a> But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9-10</a> One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” <a href="/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12-16</a> Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. / In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, / fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.a dream.<a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12</a> And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a> And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5,9</a> And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more… a dead.<a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7</a> Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.<a href="/psalms/105-14.htm">Psalm 105:14</a> He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;<a href="/ezekiel/33-14.htm">Ezekiel 33:14,15</a> Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; … a man's wife.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/18-32.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Band</a> <a href="/revelation/20-13.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/19-19.htm">Die</a> <a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/19-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Married</a> <a href="/genesis/19-35.htm">Night</a> <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/49-19.htm">Band</a> <a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/20-15.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Married</a> <a href="/genesis/24-23.htm">Night</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 20</div>1. <a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Abraham sojourns at Gerar.</a> 2. <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech.</a> 3. <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">He rebukes Abraham.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Restores Sarah;</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">and reproves her.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream In the ancient Near East, dreams were often considered a medium through which deities communicated with humans. This reflects the belief that God can directly intervene in human affairs. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, is a Gentile, yet God chooses to communicate with him, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations. This dream is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God uses dreams to convey important messages, such as with Joseph (Genesis 37) and Pharaoh (Genesis 41).and told him, “You are as good as dead The phrase "as good as dead" indicates the severity of the situation. In biblical terms, death is often a consequence of sin or disobedience to God's commands. This warning underscores the seriousness of taking another man's wife, which is a violation of the sanctity of marriage established by God. It also highlights God's justice and the moral order He upholds.because of the woman you have taken, The woman in question is Sarah, Abraham's wife. This situation arises because Abraham, fearing for his life, misleads Abimelech by claiming Sarah is his sister. This reflects the recurring theme of human frailty and the consequences of deceit. The taking of Sarah by Abimelech, though done in ignorance, still requires divine intervention to prevent sin, illustrating God's protective care over His covenant promises.for she is a married woman.” The emphasis on Sarah being a married woman highlights the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God. This incident prefigures the importance of marital fidelity, which is later codified in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a>). It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching on the sanctity of marriage (<a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-32</a>), where marriage is a type of the relationship between Christ and the Church. This narrative reinforces the idea that God's laws are universal and apply to all humanity, not just His chosen people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign deity who intervenes in human affairs, demonstrating His omniscience and justice. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The king of Gerar, who unknowingly takes Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his household. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a> Abraham's wife, who is taken by Abimelech under the pretense that she is Abraham's sister. 4. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch who misleads Abimelech by claiming Sarah is his sister, not his wife. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a> The region where Abimelech rules and where the events of this chapter take place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_intervention.htm">God's Sovereignty and Intervention</a> God actively intervenes in human affairs to protect His covenant and His people. This demonstrates His sovereignty and care for His promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_marriage.htm">The Sanctity of Marriage</a> The passage underscores the importance of marriage and God's commitment to uphold its sanctity. Believers are called to honor and protect the marriage covenant. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_deception.htm">The Consequences of Deception</a> Abraham's deception leads to potential disaster. This teaches the importance of truthfulness and the potential consequences of deceit. <a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_of_his_people.htm">God's Protection of His People</a> Even when His people make mistakes, God is faithful to protect and guide them. This encourages believers to trust in God's protection and guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_dreams_in_divine_communication.htm">The Role of Dreams in Divine Communication</a> God uses dreams to communicate His will and warnings, as seen with Abimelech. This highlights the various ways God can speak to His people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 20</a> <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> <a href="/q/why_use_balaam,_a_non-israelite,_in_num_24.htm">Why would God use Balaam, a non-Israelite, as His mouthpiece in Numbers 24 if divine revelation was meant primarily for the Israelites? </a> <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 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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) God (Elohim) came . . . --From the use of this title of the Deity it has been said that this narrative is an Elohistic form of the Jehovistic narrative in�<a href="/context/genesis/12-10.htm" title="And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.">Genesis 12:10-20</a>. But we have seen that even in the History of the Fall, where the writer in so remarkable a manner styles the Deity Jehovah-Elohim, he nevertheless restricts Eve and the serpent in their conversation to the name Elohim. With the same care in the application of the names, it is necessarily Elohim who appears to a heathen king; and had the title Jehovah been used it would have been a violation of the narrator's rule. Moreover, the sole reason for calling that narrative Jehovistic is that in <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm" title="And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.">Genesis 12:17</a> it is Jehovah who plagues Pharaoh for Sarah's sake. But equally here, <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm" title="For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.">Genesis 20:18</a>, it is Jehovah who protects Sarah from Abimelech; in both cases it being the covenant- God, who saves his people from injury.Thou art but a dead man.--Heb., thou diest, or art dying. Abimelech was already suffering from the malady spoken of in <a href="/genesis/20-17.htm" title="So Abraham prayed to God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bore children.">Genesis 20:17</a>, when Elohim appeared to him and warned him that death would be the result of perseverance in retaining Sarah. It was this malady which was the cause of the abstention spoken of in <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm" title="But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, will you slay also a righteous nation?">Genesis 20:4</a>; <a href="/genesis/20-6.htm" title="And God said to him in a dream, Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart; for I also withheld you from sinning against me: therefore suffered I you not to touch her.">Genesis 20:6</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - But God - Elohim; whence the present chapter, with the exception of Ver. 18, is assigned to the Elohist (Tuch, De Wette, Bleek, Davidson), and the incident at Gerar explained as the original legend, of which the story of Sarah's abduction by Pharaoh is the Jehovistic imitation. But (1) the use of Elohim throughout the present chapter is sufficiently accounted for by observing that it describes the intercourse of Deity with a heathen monarch, to whom the name of Jehovah was unknown, while the employment of the latter term in Ver. 18 may be ascribed to the fact that it is the covenant God of Sarah who there interposes for her protection; and (2) the apparent resemblance between the two incidents is more than counterbalanced by the points of diversity which subsist between them - came to Abimelech in a dream - the usual mode of self-revelation employed by Elohim towards heathen. Cf. Pharaoh's dreams (<a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Genesis 41:1</a>) and Nebuchadnezzar's (<a href="/daniel/4-5.htm">Daniel 4:5</a>), as distinguished from the visions in which Jehovah manifests his presence to his people. Cf. the theophanies vouchsafed to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a>; <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a>; <a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">Genesis 18:1</a>) and to Jacob (<a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13</a>; <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24</a>), and the visions granted to Daniel (<a href="/daniel/7-1.htm">Daniel 7:1-28</a>; <a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Daniel 10:5-9</a>) and the prophets generally, which, though sometimes occurring in dreams, were yet a higher form of Divine manifestation than the dreams - by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, - literally, behold thyself dying, or about to die - σὺ ἀποθνήσκεις (LXX.). Abimelech, it is probable, was by this time suffering from the malady which had fallen on his house (vide Ver. 17) - for (i.e. on account of) the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife - literally, married to a husband, or under lordship to a lord (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a>). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/20-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>One night, however, הַלָּ֑יְלָה (hal·lā·yə·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity God אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative came וַיָּבֹ֧א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name in a dream בַּחֲל֣וֹם (ba·ḥă·lō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2472.htm">Strong's 2472: </a> A dream and told him, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “You are as good as dead מֵת֙ (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill because of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the woman הָאִשָּׁ֣ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female you have taken, לָקַ֔חְתָּ (lā·qaḥ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take for she וְהִ֖וא (wə·hi·w) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a married בְּעֻ֥לַת (bə·‘u·laṯ) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1166.htm">Strong's 1166: </a> To be master, to marry woman.” בָּֽעַל׃ (bā·‘al) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> A master, a husband, owner <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 20:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/20-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 20:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:4" /></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>