King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:6 Mean?

Genesis 20:6 in the King James Version says “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 th...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 20:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; fo... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 24

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֨יו2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים3 of 24

“And 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

בַּֽחֲלֹ֗ם4 of 24

“unto him in a dream”

H2472

a dream

גַּם5 of 24

“Yea”

H1571

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

אָֽנֹכִ֤י6 of 24
H595

i

יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙7 of 24

“I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֤י8 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְתָם9 of 24

“this in the integrity”

H8537

completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence

לְבָֽבְךָ֙10 of 24

“of thy heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עָשִׂ֣יתָ11 of 24

“that thou didst”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

זֹּ֔את12 of 24
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וָֽאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְ13 of 24

“for I also withheld”

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

גַּם14 of 24

“Yea”

H1571

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

אָֽנֹכִ֛י15 of 24
H595

i

אֽוֹתְךָ֖16 of 24
H853

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

מֵֽחֲטוֹ17 of 24

“thee from sinning”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לִ֑י18 of 24
H0
עַל19 of 24
H5921

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

כֵּ֥ן20 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

לֹֽא21 of 24
H3808

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

נְתַתִּ֖יךָ22 of 24

“against me therefore suffered”

H5414

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

לִנְגֹּ֥עַ23 of 24

“I thee not to touch”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

אֵלֶֽיהָ׃24 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 25:341 Samuel 25:26Proverbs 21:1Genesis 31:7Genesis 35:52 Thessalonians 2:7

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