King James Version
Genesis 20:12 in the King James Version says “And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.”
Genesis 20:12 · KJV
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
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.
And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
“she is my sister”
H269a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
“but not the daughter”
H1323a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
“of my father”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“but not the daughter”
H1323a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
“of my mother”
H517a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Genesis 20:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 20:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge