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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 20:11 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.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/20-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_20_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 20:11 - Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Abraham replied, I thought to myself, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place. 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They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God <i>is</i> not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God <i>is</i> not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Abraham said, &#8220Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Abraham said, “Because I said, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely there is no fear <i>or</i> reverence of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham replied, &#8220I thought, &#8216There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Abraham answered: I did it because I didn't think any of you respected God, and I was sure that someone would kill me to get my wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abraham said, "I thought that because there are no God-fearing people in this place, I'd be killed because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Abraham answered, "I thought that there would be no one here who has reverence for God and that they would kill me to get my wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I thought that there's no fear of God in this place," Abraham replied, "and that they would kill me because of my wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abraham replied, "Because I thought, 'Surely no one fears God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place, so they will kill me because of my wife.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham said, Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham says, “Because I said, Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham saith, 'Because I said, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham will say, For I said, Surely there is not the fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Abraham answered: I thought with myself, saying: Perhaps there is not the fear of God in this place: and they will kill me for the sake of my wife: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Abraham responded: “I thought to myself, saying: Perhaps there is no fear of God in this place. And they will put me to death because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abraham answered, “I thought there would be no fear of God in this place, and so they would kill me on account of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said, Because I thought, perhaps there is no fear of God in this country; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abraham said, “Because I said, ‘Lest there is not the awe of God in this place and they kill me for the sake of my wife.’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abraham said: 'Because I thought: Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/20-11.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=4469" 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">10</span>Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?” <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><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/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></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.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">“I thought to myself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">‘Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3374.htm" title="3374: yir·’aṯ (N-fsc) -- A fear. Feminine of yare'; fear; morally, reverence.">fear</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">of God</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.">in this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: bam·mā·qō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: wa·hă·rā·ḡū·nî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp:: 1cs2) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">They will kill me</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.">on account of</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·tî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">my wife.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became 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="/proverbs/16-6.htm">Proverbs 16:6</a></span><br />By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-18.htm">Romans 3:18</a></span><br />“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-1.htm">Psalm 36:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-17.htm">Exodus 1:17</a></span><br />The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></span><br />And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></span><br />To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Psalm 111:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-3.htm">2 Samuel 23:3</a></span><br />The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-15.htm">Nehemiah 5:15</a></span><br />The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:13</a></span><br />When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-2.htm">Luke 18:2</a></span><br />“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-35.htm">Acts 10:35</a></span><br />but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.</p><p class="hdg">Surely.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Genesis 22:12</a></b></br> And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only <i>son</i> from me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">Genesis 42:18</a></b></br> And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; <i>for</i> I fear God:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-15.htm">Nehemiah 5:15</a></b></br> But the former governors that <i>had been</i> before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.</p><p class="hdg">slay.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-12.htm">Genesis 12:12</a></b></br> Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This <i>is</i> his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a></b></br> And the men of the place asked <i>him</i> of his wife; and he said, She <i>is</i> my sister: for he feared to say, <i>She is</i> my wife; lest, <i>said he</i>, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she <i>was</i> fair to look upon.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/20-10.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/18-32.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/genesis/12-12.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/19-16.htm">Wife's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/22-10.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/21-11.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/genesis/34-26.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/genesis/22-10.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/genesis/20-12.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/36-39.htm">Wife's</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>Abraham replied</b><br>Abraham's response to Abimelech reveals his reasoning and fear. This moment follows Abimelech's confrontation with Abraham after God warned Abimelech in a dream. Abraham's reply is a defense of his actions, showing his human frailty and tendency to rely on his own understanding rather than fully trusting in God's protection.<p><b>I thought to myself</b><br>This phrase indicates an internal dialogue, highlighting Abraham's reliance on his own judgment. It reflects a moment of introspection and decision-making based on personal perception rather than divine guidance. This self-reliance contrasts with the faith Abraham is known for, as seen in his willingness to leave his homeland and trust God's promises.<p><b>Surely there is no fear of God in this place</b><br>Abraham's assumption about Gerar reflects his perception of the moral and spiritual state of the region. The "fear of God" implies a recognition of God's authority and moral order. Abraham's concern suggests he believed the people of Gerar did not acknowledge or respect God's laws, which could lead to unethical behavior. This assumption is challenged by Abimelech's later actions, showing that fear of God can exist outside of Abraham's expectations.<p><b>They will kill me on account of my wife</b><br>Abraham's fear for his life due to Sarah's beauty echoes a similar situation in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10-20</a>). This repetition highlights a recurring struggle with fear and self-preservation. It also underscores the cultural context where powerful men might take women into their harems, potentially endangering the husbands. Abraham's fear, while understandable, shows a lapse in faith, as God had promised to protect him and his family. This situation foreshadows the need for a savior who would perfectly trust and obey God, unlike Abraham's imperfect faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he expresses fear for his life due to the perceived lack of reverence for God in Gerar.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, whose beauty leads Abraham to fear for his life, prompting him to misrepresent their relationship.<br><br>3. <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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a></b><br>A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourn, and where Abraham's fear leads to deception.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/event.htm">Event</a></b><br>Abraham's deception about Sarah being his sister, motivated by his fear of being killed due to her beauty.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_of_man_vs._fear_of_god.htm">Fear of Man vs. Fear of God</a></b><br>Abraham's actions in <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11</a> illustrate the consequences of fearing man over God. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a reverent fear of God, which leads to wisdom and right living.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_protection.htm">Trust in God's Protection</a></b><br>Despite Abraham's fear, God intervenes to protect Sarah and uphold His covenant. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and protection, even in seemingly dangerous situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_repercussions_of_deception.htm">The Repercussions of Deception</a></b><br>Abraham's deception leads to potential harm and misunderstanding. This serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in our dealings with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_despite_human_weakness.htm">God's Faithfulness Despite Human Weakness</a></b><br>Despite Abraham's lapse in faith, God remains faithful to His promises. This reassures believers that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection.<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/why_did_abram_call_sarai_his_sister.htm">Why did Abram claim Sarai was his sister?</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/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>(11) <span class= "bld">Surely the fear of God . . . --</span>Abraham's general condemnation of the people had some excuse in the widespread depravity of the nations in Canaan, but was nevertheless unjust. Even as regards these nations, they were not utterly corrupt (<a href="/genesis/15-16.htm" title="But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.">Genesis 15:16</a>), and both in Egypt and in Gerar the standard of morality was higher than Abraham supposed. His difficulty was the result of his own imperfect faith; but the fact that this artifice was arranged between man and wife when starting on their long wanderings, proves that they rather over-rated than under-rated the risks that lay before them. The expedient was indeed a sorry one, and shows that Abraham's faith was not yet that of a martyr; but it also shows that both of them felt that Abraham might have to save his life by a means almost as bad as death. And thus, after all, it was no common-place faith, but one as firm at root as it was sorely tried and exercised.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abraham said</span> (offering as his first apology for his sinful behavior the fear which he entertained of the depravity of the people), <span class="cmt_word">Because I thought,</span> - literally, <span class="accented">said</span> (sc. in my heart) - <span class="cmt_word">Surely the fear of God is not in this place</span>; - otherwise, <span class="accented">there is not any fear of God</span>, <span class="hebrew">רק</span> having usually a confirming sense with reference to what follows (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Deuteronomy 4:6</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-8.htm">1 Kings 14:8</a>; <span class="accented">vide</span> Gesenius, p. 779) - <span class="cmt_word">and they will slay me for my wife's sake.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/20-11.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">Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֔ם</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">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙</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">“I thought to myself,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֗רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common 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">‘Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֚ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵין־</span> <span class="translit">(’ên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fear</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְאַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(yir·’aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3374.htm">Strong's 3374: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fear, reverence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֑ה</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">place.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמָּק֖וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bam·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They will kill me</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲרָג֖וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·rā·ḡū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | first person common 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">on account of</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my wife.’</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשְׁתִּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/20-11.htm">Genesis 20:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">OT Law: Genesis 20:11 Abraham said Because I thought 'Surely (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/20-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 20:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/20-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 20:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:12" /></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>