King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:13 Mean?

Genesis 20:13 in the King James Version says “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 whi...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 20:13 · KJV

Context

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

15

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. where: Heb. as is good in thine eyes

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Protection shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיְהִ֞י1 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר2 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִתְע֣וּ3 of 24

“caused me to wander”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

אֹתִ֗י4 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלֹהִים֮5 of 24

“And it came to pass when God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִבֵּ֣ית6 of 24

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִי֒7 of 24

“from my father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אִמְרִי8 of 24

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֔הּ9 of 24
H0
זֶ֣ה10 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

חַסְדֵּ֔ךְ11 of 24

“unto her This is thy kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תַּֽעֲשִׂ֖י13 of 24

“which thou shalt shew”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִמָּדִ֑י14 of 24
H5978

along with

אֶ֤ל15 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל16 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמָּקוֹם֙17 of 24

“unto me at every place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר18 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָב֣וֹא19 of 24

“whither we shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֔מָּה20 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִמְרִי21 of 24

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִ֖י22 of 24
H0
אָחִ֥י23 of 24

“of me He is my brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הֽוּא׃24 of 24
H1931

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Genesis 20:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:1Genesis 12:9Psalms 64:5Acts 5:91 Samuel 23:21Genesis 12:11-20

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 20 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes