King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:3 Mean?

Genesis 20:3 in the King James Version says “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 tho...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 20:3 · 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?

5

Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. integrity: or, simplicity, or, sincerity

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for... 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. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיָּבֹ֧א1 of 17

“came”

H935

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

אֱלֹהִ֛ים2 of 17

“But 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

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ4 of 17

“to Abimelech”

H40

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

בַּֽחֲל֣וֹם5 of 17

“in a dream”

H2472

a dream

הַלָּ֑יְלָה6 of 17

“by night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 17

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ8 of 17
H0
הִנְּךָ֥9 of 17
H2009

lo!

מֵת֙10 of 17

“to him Behold thou art but a dead man”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

עַל11 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה12 of 17

“for the woman”

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁר13 of 17
H834

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

לָקַ֔חְתָּ14 of 17

“which thou hast taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְהִ֖וא15 of 17
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

בְּעֻ֥לַת16 of 17

“wife”

H1166

to be master; hence, to marry

בָּֽעַל׃17 of 17

“for she is a man's”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

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 20:3 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 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:19Genesis 20:7Psalms 105:14Job 33:15Matthew 1:20Genesis 28:12

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