King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:2 Mean?

Genesis 20:2 in the King James Version says “And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.”

Genesis 20:2 · KJV

Context

1

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

2

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

3

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. a man's: Heb. married to an husband

4

But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sar... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  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 · 14 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר1 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְרָהָ֛ם2 of 14

“And Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶל3 of 14

“of”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׂרָֽה׃4 of 14

“Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ5 of 14

“his wife”

H802

a woman

אֲחֹ֣תִי6 of 14

“She is my sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

הִ֑וא7 of 14
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

וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח8 of 14

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙9 of 14

“and Abimelech”

H40

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ10 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

גְּרָ֔ר11 of 14

“of Gerar”

H1642

gerar, a philistine city

וַיִּקַּ֖ח12 of 14

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת13 of 14
H853

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

שָׂרָֽה׃14 of 14

“Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

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 20:2 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 20:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:15Genesis 26:7Genesis 12:11-13Genesis 26:12 Chronicles 32:31Genesis 20:12

Places in This Verse

GerarSettlement · Modern: Tel Haror · 31.38°N, 34.61°E9 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 20 →

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