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Genesis 20:4

Abimelech

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

3 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.

But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

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

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?
KJV
But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
WEB
Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?
ASV
Now Abimelech had not come near her. And he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?
DARBY
But Abimelech had not come near her. And he said, Lord, wilt thou also kill a righteous nation?
BLB
And Abimelech has not come near her, and he said, “Lord, will You slay even a righteous nation?
ÅB
Men Abimelek hadde ikke kommet henne nær, og han sa: Herre, vil du da også slå rettferdige folk ihjel?
OTB
Nå hadde Abimelek ikke nærmet seg henne, og han sa: «Herre, vil du ødelegge en nasjon, selv om den er uskyldig?
B1930
Men Abimelek hadde ikke kommet henne nær, og han sa: Herre, vil du da også slå rettferdige folk ihjel?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 18:23–25

    And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

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  • 1 Chronicles 21:17

    And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 4:11

    How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

    Read in context

  • Genesis 20:6

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

    Read in context

  • Genesis 19:24

    Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

    Read in context

  • Genesis 20:17–18

    So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

    Read in context