Genesis 20

1 Now Abraham [the father of many nations] journeyed from there [that place, thence] to the region [land, territory] of the Negev [the southern district, south country] and settled [dwelt, lived] between [in the midst of] Kadesh [a holy place, city in southern Judah] and Shur [a desert region, near Egypt]. While he was staying [sojourning, living as a foreigner] in Gerar [a city in the land of the Philistines], word study 2 Abraham [the father of faith] said of his wife Sarah [his noblewoman, life companion], “She is my [biological or close] sister [a female relative, a half-sister].” So Abimelech [a Philistine king, a ruler] king of Gerar [a city in the land of the Philistines] had Sarah brought [sent for, taken] to him. word study 3 One night [in the darkness, a time of adversity], however, God [Elohim, the supreme God] came [approached, drew near] to Abimelech [a Philistine king] in a dream [a prophetic vision, a nocturnal revelation] and told him, “You are as good as dead [morally or spiritually dead, doomed] because of the woman [a female person, a wife] you have taken [acquired, seized], for she is a married woman [a man’s wife, under a husband’s authority, in a covenant relationship].” word study 4 Now Abimelech [a Philistine king] had not gone near [come close to, approached] her, so he replied, “Lord [Adonay, a title of reverence], would You destroy [slay, kill] a nation [a Gentile people, a large group] even though it is [considered] innocent [righteous, just, having God’s nature]? word study 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my [biological or spiritual] sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my [close relative or spiritual] brother.’ I have done this in the [moral and spiritual] integrity of my heart [the innermost part of my being, including my mind, will, and emotions] and the [complete and utter] innocence of my hands [my actions and deeds].” word study 6 Then God [Elohim, the supreme Judge] said to Abimelech in the dream [a prophetic vision], “Yes, I know [have ascertainment, am aware] that you did this [acted in integrity] with a clear conscience [in the integrity of thy heart, with pure motives], and so I have kept [withheld, restrained] you from sinning [missing the mark, going wrong] against Me [toward My divine nature]. That is why [thus, in this manner] I did not let [suffered not, prevented] you touch [reach out to, come near] her [Sarah, the chosen one]. word study 7 Now [at this time, immediately] return the man’s wife [his spouse, the woman], for he is a prophet [a spokesperson for God, one who speaks on behalf of the divine]; he will pray [intercede, make petition] for you and you will live [have life, be revived]. But if you do not restore [give back, return] her, be aware [know, understand] that you will surely die [perish, come to an end]—you [as an individual] and all who belong to you [your household, those under your care].” word study 8 Early [at the break of day, in the morning] the next morning Abimelech [a Philistine king] got up [rose, to start early] and summoned [called out to, gathered] all [everything, every single one] his servants [slaves, attendants]; and when he described [told, spoke] to them all [everything, the whole story] that had happened [occurred, taken place], the men [humans, individuals] were [became, felt] terrified [very afraid, exceedingly fearful, sore afraid]. word study 9 Then Abimelech [a Philistine king] called Abraham and asked, “What have you done [caused or brought about] to us? How have I sinned [missed the mark or gone wrong] against you, that you have brought such tremendous [great or large] guilt upon me and my kingdom [domain or territory]? You have done things [deeds or actions] to me that should not be done [are not right or just].” word study 10 Abimelech [the Philistine king] also asked Abraham [the father of faith], “What [a question of surprise] prompted [sawest thou, perceived] you to do [to make or bring about] such a thing [this matter, the event that occurred] [for a reason, with a purpose]?” word study 11 Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is [no reverence for, no awe of] no fear of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] in this [physical location, spiritual condition] place. They will [intentionally, premeditatedly] kill me on account of [because of, for the sake of] my wife [partner, companion].’ word study 12 Besides, she really is my sister [a biological sibling, a half-sister], the daughter [a female child, a woman] of my father [a paternal ancestor, a male parent]—though not the daughter [a child, an offspring] of my mother [a female parent, a maternal figure]—and she became [came to be, was made] my wife [a female partner, a spouse]. word study 13 So when God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] had me journey [caused me to wander, led me to travel] from my father’s [abba, paternal] house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is how you can show your loyalty [kindness, mercy, chesed] to me: Wherever we go [at every place, in all locations], say of me, “He is my brother [relative, close kin].”’” word study 14 So Abimelech [the Philistine king] brought sheep [or goats, livestock] and cattle [domesticated oxen], menservants [male slaves, servants] and maidservants [female slaves, women servants], and he gave [presented, bestowed] them to Abraham [the father of faith] and restored [returned, gave back] his wife [companion, partner] Sarah [the noblewoman, mother of Isaac] to him. word study 15 And Abimelech [the Philistine king] said, “Look [behold, see], my land [territory, country] is before you [in your presence, available to you]. Settle [dwell, live] wherever [in any place] you please [it seems good to you, you like].” word study 16 And he said to Sarah [the noblewoman, Abraham’s wife], “See, I am giving your brother [close relative, male sibling] a thousand [a large number, a multitude] pieces of silver [money, wealth]. It is your vindication [justification, clearance of guilt] before all [everyone, the entire community] who are with you; you are completely [totally, utterly] cleared [exonerated, found innocent].” word study 17 Then Abraham [the father of faith] prayed [to intercede, to ask for help] to God [Elohim, the one supreme God], and God [the Healer] healed [to mend, to cure] Abimelech [the king of Gerar] and his wife [his female partner] and his maidservants [female slaves, servants], so that they could again [once more, anew] bear children [to give birth, to beget]— word study 18 for [because of] on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah [the mother of Isaac, noblewoman], the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] had completely [totally, utterly] closed [restrained, held back] all [every, everything] the wombs [places of birth, matrices] in Abimelech’s [the Philistine king’s] household [family, dwelling place]. word study