King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:14 Mean?

Genesis 20:14 in the King James Version says “And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sar...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 20:14 · KJV

Context

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

16

And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, ... 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).

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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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיִּקַּ֨ח1 of 13

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ2 of 13

“And Abimelech”

H40

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

צֹ֣אן3 of 13

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָ֗ר4 of 13

“and oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַֽעֲבָדִים֙5 of 13

“and menservants”

H5650

a servant

וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת6 of 13

“and womenservants”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וַיִּתֵּ֖ן7 of 13

“and gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם8 of 13

“them unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

וַיָּ֣שֶׁב9 of 13

“and restored”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

ל֔וֹ10 of 13
H0
אֵ֖ת11 of 13
H853

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

שָׂרָ֥ה12 of 13

“him Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“his wife”

H802

a woman

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 20:14 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 20:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:16Genesis 20:2Genesis 20:7Genesis 12:19-20Genesis 20:11

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

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