Genesis 20:4
New International Version
Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

New Living Translation
But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

English Standard Version
Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people?

Berean Standard Bible
Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

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

New King James Version
But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?

New American Standard Bible
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You kill a nation, even though blameless?

NASB 1995
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless?

NASB 1977
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, wilt Thou slay a nation, even though blameless?

Legacy Standard Bible
(Now Abimelech had not come near her.) Then he said, “Lord, will You kill a nation, even though righteous?

Amplified Bible
Now Abimelech had not yet come near her; so he said, “Lord, will you kill a people who are righteous and innocent and blameless [regarding Sarah]?

Christian Standard Bible
Now Abimelech had not approached her, so he said, “Lord, would you destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Abimelech had not approached her, so he said, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

American Standard Version
Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?

English Revised Version
Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abimelech hadn't come near her, so he asked, "Lord, will you destroy a nation even if it's innocent?

Good News Translation
But Abimelech had not come near her, and he said, "Lord, I am innocent! Would you destroy me and my people?

International Standard Version
Now Abimelech had not yet come near her, so he asked, "LORD, will you destroy an innocent nation?

Majority Standard Bible
Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

NET Bible
Now Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, "Lord, would you really slaughter an innocent nation?

New Heart English Bible
Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?

Webster's Bible Translation
But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou also slay a righteous nation?

World English Bible
Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abimelech has not drawn near to her, and he says, “Lord, do you also slay a righteous nation?

Young's Literal Translation
And Abimelech hath not drawn near unto her, and he saith, 'Lord, also a righteous nation dost thou slay?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech came not near to her: and he will say, Lord, wilt thou also slay a just nation?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Abimelech had not touched her, and he said : Lord, wilt thou slay a nation, that is ignorant and justl

Catholic Public Domain Version
In truth, Abimelech had not touched her, and so he said: “Lord, would you put to death a people, ignorant and just?

New American Bible
Abimelech, who had not approached her, said: “O Lord, would you kill an innocent man?

New Revised Standard Version
Now Abimelech had not approached her; so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent people?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Abimeleck had not touched her; and he said, O LORD, wilt thou slay an innocent people?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek did not touch her and Abimelek said, “LORD JEHOVAH, do you also kill innocent people?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said: 'Lord, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, Lord, wilt thou destroy an ignorantly sinning and just nation?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech
3One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” 4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent? 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”…

Cross References
Genesis 12:17
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

Genesis 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

Genesis 19:29
So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived.

Genesis 26:9-11
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.” / “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” / So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”

Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

Exodus 34:7
maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Leviticus 18:5
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.

Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

1 Samuel 24:12
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

2 Samuel 24:17
When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”

1 Kings 8:32
then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

Job 34:10-12
Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. / For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. / Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Psalm 7:8-9
The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity. / Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.

Psalm 19:12-13
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. / Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.


Treasury of Scripture

But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, will you slay also a righteous nation?

had.

Genesis 20:6,18
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…

wilt.

Genesis 20:17,18
So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children

Genesis 18:23-25
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …

Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

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Abimelech Abim'elech Approached Blameless Death Destroy Drawn Innocent Kill Nation Righteous Slay Upright Wilt
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Abimelech Abim'elech Approached Blameless Death Destroy Drawn Innocent Kill Nation Righteous Slay Upright Wilt
Genesis 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.














Now Abimelech
The name "Abimelech" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "my father is king." This title was often used for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. Abimelech's role in this narrative highlights the interaction between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations. Historically, this reflects the complex relationships and treaties that existed in the ancient Near East, where kings like Abimelech would have been aware of the power and presence of the God of Israel.

had not gone near her
This phrase indicates Abimelech's innocence in the situation with Sarah. The Hebrew root for "gone near" (נָגַשׁ, nagash) often implies physical proximity or intimacy. In this context, it underscores the moral integrity of Abimelech, who, despite the potential for wrongdoing, had not yet committed any sin against Sarah. This detail is crucial in understanding the justice of God, who intervenes before sin is committed, preserving the purity of His covenant people.

so he said
The act of speaking here is significant. In the ancient world, the spoken word held great power and authority. Abimelech's direct address to God shows a recognition of divine authority and a plea for justice. This interaction suggests that even those outside the covenant community can have a relationship with God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His guidance.

Lord
The use of "Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai) reflects a recognition of God's supreme authority. In the Hebrew tradition, this title is often used to denote respect and submission to God's will. Abimelech's use of this term indicates his understanding of God's power and his own position as a servant seeking mercy and justice.

will You destroy
The verb "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachat) in Hebrew conveys a sense of complete ruin or corruption. Abimelech's question echoes the intercessory dialogue between Abraham and God over Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting a recurring biblical theme of divine justice versus mercy. This phrase invites reflection on God's character, who is just but also compassionate, willing to spare the innocent.

a nation
The term "nation" (גּוֹי, goy) refers to a people or ethnic group. In this context, it emphasizes the collective responsibility and potential consequences of sin. Abimelech's concern for his people shows a leader's duty to protect and intercede for his nation, recognizing that the actions of one can impact many.

even though it is innocent?
The concept of innocence (צַדִּיק, tzaddik) is central to biblical justice. Abimelech's plea underscores the importance of righteousness and the belief that God, as a just judge, will not punish the innocent alongside the guilty. This reflects a deep understanding of God's nature, who values justice and righteousness, and reassures believers of His fair and equitable judgment.

(4) A righteous nation.--Knobel has pointed out that there is an allusion here to the fate of Sodom. Though the malady was confined to Abimelech and his household, yet he sees destruction threatening his whole people, who, compared with the inhabitants of the Ciccar cities, were righteous. There is indirect proof: of the truth of Abimelech's assertion in the fact that death (see Genesis 20:3) is acquiesced in as the fitting punishment for adultery.

Verse 4. - But Abimelech had not come near her. Apparently withheld by the peculiar disease which had overtaken him. The statement of the present verse (a similar one to which is not made with reference to Pharaoh) was clearly rendered necessary by the approaching birth of Isaac, who might otherwise have been said to be the child not of Abraham, but of the Philistine king. And he said, Lord, - Adonai (vide Genesis 15:2) - wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Anticipating that the stroke of Divine judgment was about to fall upon his people as well as on himself, with allusion to the fate of Sodom (Knobel), which he deprecates for his people at least on the ground that they are innocent of the offence charged against him (cf. 2 Samuel 24:17). That Abimelech and his people, like Melchisedeck and his subjects, had some knowledge of the true God, and that the Canaanites generally at this period had not reached the depth of moral degradation into which the cities of the Jordan circle had sunk before their overthrow, is apparent from the narrative. The comparative virtue, therefore, of these tribes was a proof that the hour had not arrived for the infliction on them of the doom of extermination.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Abimelech
וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

had not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

gone near her,
קָרַ֖ב (qā·raḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

so he replied,
וַיֹּאמַ֕ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Lord,
אֲדֹנָ֕י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

would You destroy
תַּהֲרֹֽג׃ (ta·hă·rōḡ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

a nation
הֲג֥וֹי (hă·ḡō·w)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

even though
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

it is innocent?
צַדִּ֖יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous


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OT Law: Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelech had not come near her (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 20:3
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