Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ New Living Translation Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ English Standard Version Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ Berean Standard Bible Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. New American Standard Bible Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. NASB 1995 Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. NASB 1977 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife. Legacy Standard Bible And Abraham said, “Because I said, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Amplified Bible Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely there is no fear or reverence of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ Christian Standard Bible Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.’ American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Abraham answered: I did it because I didn't think any of you respected God, and I was sure that someone would kill me to get my wife. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Abraham said, "I thought that because there are no God-fearing people in this place, I'd be killed because of my wife. Good News Translation Abraham answered, "I thought that there would be no one here who has reverence for God and that they would kill me to get my wife. International Standard Version "I thought that there's no fear of God in this place," Abraham replied, "and that they would kill me because of my wife. Majority Standard Bible Abraham replied, ?I thought to myself, ?Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.? NET Bible Abraham replied, "Because I thought, 'Surely no one fears God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.' New Heart English Bible Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place, so they will kill me because of my wife.' Webster's Bible Translation 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. World English Bible Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abraham says, “Because I said, Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife; Young's Literal Translation And Abraham saith, 'Because I said, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife; Smith's Literal Translation And Abraham will say, For I said, Surely there is not the fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAbraham answered: I thought with myself, saying: Perhaps there is not the fear of God in this place: and they will kill me for the sake of my wife: Catholic Public Domain Version Abraham responded: “I thought to myself, saying: Perhaps there is no fear of God in this place. And they will put me to death because of my wife. New American Bible Abraham answered, “I thought there would be no fear of God in this place, and so they would kill me on account of my wife. New Revised Standard Version Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Abraham said, Because I thought, perhaps there is no fear of God in this country; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abraham said, “Because I said, ‘Lest there is not the awe of God in this place and they kill me for the sake of my wife.’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abraam said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech…10Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?” 11Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife.… Cross References Proverbs 16:6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Psalm 36:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. Exodus 1:17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever! Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, Nehemiah 5:15 The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. Luke 18:2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. Acts 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Treasury of Scripture 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. Surely. Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Genesis 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. slay. Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Genesis 26:7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. Jump to Previous Abraham Death Fear Kill Sake Seemed Slain Slay Surely Thought Wife Wife'sJump to Next Abraham Death Fear Kill Sake Seemed Slain Slay Surely Thought Wife Wife'sGenesis 20 1. Abraham sojourns at Gerar.2. Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech. 3. Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream. 9. He rebukes Abraham. 14. Restores Sarah; 16. and reproves her. 17. Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer. Abraham replied Abraham's response to Abimelech reveals his reasoning and fear. This moment follows Abimelech's confrontation with Abraham after God warned Abimelech in a dream. Abraham's reply is a defense of his actions, showing his human frailty and tendency to rely on his own understanding rather than fully trusting in God's protection. I thought to myself Surely there is no fear of God in this place They will kill me on account of my wife Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he expresses fear for his life due to the perceived lack of reverence for God in Gerar. 2. Sarah Abraham's wife, whose beauty leads Abraham to fear for his life, prompting him to misrepresent their relationship. 3. Abimelech The king of Gerar, who unknowingly takes Sarah into his household, believing her to be Abraham's sister. 4. Gerar A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourn, and where Abraham's fear leads to deception. 5. Event Abraham's deception about Sarah being his sister, motivated by his fear of being killed due to her beauty. Teaching Points Fear of Man vs. Fear of GodAbraham's actions in Genesis 20:11 illustrate the consequences of fearing man over God. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a reverent fear of God, which leads to wisdom and right living. Trust in God's Protection Despite Abraham's fear, God intervenes to protect Sarah and uphold His covenant. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and protection, even in seemingly dangerous situations. The Repercussions of Deception Abraham's deception leads to potential harm and misunderstanding. This serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in our dealings with others. God's Faithfulness Despite Human Weakness Despite Abraham's lapse in faith, God remains faithful to His promises. This reassures believers that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection.(11) Surely the fear of God . . . --Abraham's general condemnation of the people had some excuse in the widespread depravity of the nations in Canaan, but was nevertheless unjust. Even as regards these nations, they were not utterly corrupt (Genesis 15:16), and both in Egypt and in Gerar the standard of morality was higher than Abraham supposed. His difficulty was the result of his own imperfect faith; but the fact that this artifice was arranged between man and wife when starting on their long wanderings, proves that they rather over-rated than under-rated the risks that lay before them. The expedient was indeed a sorry one, and shows that Abraham's faith was not yet that of a martyr; but it also shows that both of them felt that Abraham might have to save his life by a means almost as bad as death. And thus, after all, it was no common-place faith, but one as firm at root as it was sorely tried and exercised.Verse 11. - And Abraham said (offering as his first apology for his sinful behavior the fear which he entertained of the depravity of the people), Because I thought, - literally, said (sc. in my heart) - Surely the fear of God is not in this place; - otherwise, there is not any fear of God, רק having usually a confirming sense with reference to what follows (cf. Deuteronomy 4:6; 1 Kings 14:8; vide Gesenius, p. 779) - and they will slay me for my wife's sake. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֔ם (’aḇ·rā·hām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation replied, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I thought to myself, אָמַ֗רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Surely רַ֚ק (raq) Adverb Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless there is no אֵין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle fear יִרְאַ֣ת (yir·’aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence of God אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative in this הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that place. בַּמָּק֖וֹם (bam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition They will kill me וַהֲרָג֖וּנִי (wa·hă·rā·ḡū·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent on account of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against my wife.’ אִשְׁתִּֽי׃ (’iš·tî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female Links Genesis 20:11 NIVGenesis 20:11 NLT Genesis 20:11 ESV Genesis 20:11 NASB Genesis 20:11 KJV Genesis 20:11 BibleApps.com Genesis 20:11 Biblia Paralela Genesis 20:11 Chinese Bible Genesis 20:11 French Bible Genesis 20:11 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 20:11 Abraham said Because I thought 'Surely (Gen. 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