King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:4 Mean?

Genesis 20:4 in the King James Version says “But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 20:4 · KJV

Context

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

6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Protection shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַֽאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ1 of 10

“But Abimelech”

H40

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

לֹ֥א2 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

קָרַ֖ב3 of 10

“had not come near”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֵלֶ֑יהָ4 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר5 of 10

“her and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֕י6 of 10

“Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

הֲג֥וֹי7 of 10

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

גַּם8 of 10
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

צַדִּ֖יק9 of 10

“also a righteous”

H6662

just

תַּֽהֲרֹֽג׃10 of 10

“wilt thou slay”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

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 20:4 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 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 4:111 Chronicles 21:17Genesis 18:23-25Genesis 19:24Genesis 20:17-18Genesis 20:6

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