Genesis 20
03 Jan 2026 - Theology
Genesis 20 - Abraham and Abimelech
Abraham again says that Sarah, his wife, is his sister. (2) (also Genesis 12:10-20)
God (Elohim) came to Abimelech in a dream by night and says that he has taken another man’s wife. Abimelech pleads his integrity and his innocence in that he was deceived.
God calls Abraham a prophet (navi), meaning “a speaker of oracles, one who was actuated by a divine Spirit; an authorized spokesman (usually for God). Such an individual did not speak his own words, but those which he had received from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Abimelech rose early in the morning and Abimelech takes sheep, oxen, menservants, and women-servants, and a thousand pieces of silver, and gives them to Abraham.
We find out at the end of the story that the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, so Abraham prayed unto God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants, and they bare children.
Parallels
- Abimelech - Genesis 20
- Pharaoh - Genesis 12:10-20
| Abimelech | Pharaoh |
|---|---|
| Abraham calls Sarah his sister | Abram calls Sarai his sister |
| No mention that Abimelech found Sarah beautiful (political alliance?) | The Egyptians beheld that Sarai is very beautiful |
| Abimelech took Sarah but had not come near her | Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s house |
| The Lord closed up wombs | The Lord sent plagues |
| God came to Abimelech in a dream at night | God does not come to tell Pharaoh |
| Abimelech gave Abraham and Sarah gifts after finding out he was deceived | Pharaoh gave Abram and Sarai gifts before finding out he was deceived |
| Abimelech offers his land for Abraham and Sarah to dwell in | Pharaoh commands Abram and Sarai to leave |
References
- The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (KJV Version)