King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:9 Mean?

Genesis 20:9 in the King James Version says “Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.”

Genesis 20:9 · KJV

Context

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.

9

Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

10

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

11

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offen... 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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  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 · 24 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨א1 of 24

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ2 of 24

“Then Abimelech”

H40

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

לְאַבְרָהָ֗ם3 of 24

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר4 of 24

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֜וֹ5 of 24
H0
מֶֽה6 of 24
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עָשִׂ֖יתָ7 of 24

“thou hast done”

H6213

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

לָּ֙נוּ֙8 of 24
H0
וּמֶֽה9 of 24
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

חָטָ֣אתִי10 of 24

“unto us and what have I offended”

H2398

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

לָ֔ךְ11 of 24
H0
כִּֽי12 of 24
H3588

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

הֵבֵ֧אתָ13 of 24

“thee that thou hast brought”

H935

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

עָלַ֛י14 of 24
H5921

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

וְעַל15 of 24
H5921

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

מַמְלַכְתִּ֖י16 of 24

“on me and on my kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

חֲטָאָ֣ה17 of 24

“sin”

H2401

an offence, or a sacrifice for it

גְדֹלָ֑ה18 of 24

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מַֽעֲשִׂים֙19 of 24

“deeds”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

אֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 24
H834

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

לֹא21 of 24
H3808

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

עָשִׂ֖יתָ22 of 24

“thou hast done”

H6213

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

עָשִׂ֖יתָ23 of 24

“thou hast done”

H6213

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

עִמָּדִֽי׃24 of 24
H5978

along with

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 20:9 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 20:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:18Genesis 26:10Genesis 39:9Exodus 32:21Joshua 7:25Titus 1:11

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