King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:16 Mean?

Genesis 20:16 in the King James Version says “And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering o...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 20:16 · KJV

Context

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.

17

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

18

For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is ... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּלְשָׂרָ֣ה1 of 18

“And unto Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אָמַ֗ר2 of 18

“he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֨ה3 of 18
H2009

lo!

נָתַ֜תִּי4 of 18

“Behold I have given”

H5414

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

אֶ֤לֶף5 of 18

“a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

כֶּ֙סֶף֙6 of 18

“pieces of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לְאָחִ֔יךְ7 of 18

“thy brother”

H251

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

הִנֵּ֤ה8 of 18
H2009

lo!

הוּא9 of 18
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

לָךְ֙10 of 18
H0
כְּס֣וּת11 of 18

“behold he is to thee a covering”

H3682

a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling

עֵינַ֔יִם12 of 18

“of the eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לְכֹ֖ל13 of 18
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 18
H834

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

אִתָּ֑ךְ15 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְאֵ֥ת16 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

כֹּ֖ל17 of 18
H3605

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

וְנֹכָֽחַת׃18 of 18

“unto all that are with thee and with all other thus she was reproved”

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

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 20:16 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 20:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 27:5Genesis 20:5Genesis 24:65Genesis 26:11Revelation 3:19Jonah 1:6

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