Genesis 20:8
New International Version
Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.

New Living Translation
Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified.

English Standard Version
So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid.

Berean Standard Bible
Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.

New American Standard Bible
So Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants, and told all these things in their presence; and the people were greatly frightened.

NASB 1995
So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened.

NASB 1977
So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly afraid.

Amplified Bible
So Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things; and the men were terrified.

Christian Standard Bible
Early in the morning Abimelech got up, called all his servants together, and personally told them all these things, and the men were terrified.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Early in the morning Abimelech got up, called all his servants together, and personally told them all these things, and the men were terrified.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Early the next morning Abimelech sent for his officials, and when he told them what had happened, they were frightened.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Early in the morning Abimelech called together all his officials. He told them about all of this, and they were terrified.

Good News Translation
Early the next morning Abimelech called all his officials and told them what had happened, and they were terrified.

International Standard Version
So Abimelech got up early the next morning, summoned all his servants, and told them all these things. The men became terrified.

Majority Standard Bible
Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified.

NET Bible
Early in the morning Abimelech summoned all his servants. When he told them about all these things, they were terrified.

New Heart English Bible
Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were greatly afraid.

World English Bible
Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abimelech rises early in the morning, and calls for all his servants, and speaks all these words in their ears; and the men fear exceedingly;

Young's Literal Translation
And Abimelech riseth early in the morning, and calleth for all his servants, and speaketh all these words in their ears; and the men fear exceedingly;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech will rise early in the morning, and will call to all his servants, and will speak all these words in their ears: and the men shall be greatly afraid.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abimelech forthwith rising up in the night, called all his servants: and spoke all these words in their hearing, and all the men were exceedingly afraid.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And immediately Abimelech, rising up in the night, called all his servants. And he spoke all these words in their hearing, and all the men were very afraid.

New American Bible
Early the next morning Abimelech called all his servants and informed them of everything that had happened, and the men were filled with fear.

New Revised Standard Version
So Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants and told them all these things; and the men were very much afraid.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore Abimeleck rose early in the morning and called all of his servants and told them all these words; and the men were exceedingly afraid.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek arose early at dawn and he called all his Servants and he spoke all these words in their ears, and the men were very afraid.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and he spoke all these words in their ears, and all the men feared exceedingly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech
7Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.” 8Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”…

Cross References
Genesis 12:17-20
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. / So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? / Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” ...

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 9:20-21
Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter, / but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.

Exodus 12:30-33
During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead. / Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” ...

1 Samuel 5:8-12
So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. / But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. / So they sent the ark of God to Ekron, but as it arrived, the Ekronites cried out, “They have brought us the ark of the God of Israel in order to kill us and our people!” ...

1 Samuel 6:2-9
the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.” / They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.” / “What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. ...

2 Samuel 24:10-17
After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” / When David got up in the morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer: / “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” ...

1 Kings 13:6
Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

2 Kings 1:13-15
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight. / Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.” / Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

2 Chronicles 32:25-26
But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. / Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

Jonah 3:6-9
When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. / Furthermore, let both man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and have everyone call out earnestly to God. Let each one turn from his evil ways and from the violence in his hands. ...

Matthew 2:12-13
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. / When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

Luke 1:11-13
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. / When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. / But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. / Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. / But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: ...


Treasury of Scripture

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.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Afraid Ear Early Ears Exceedingly Fear Frightened Full Greatly Hearing Morning Officials Riseth Rose Scared Servants Sore Speaketh Summoned Word Words
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Abimelech Abim'elech Afraid Ear Early Ears Exceedingly Fear Frightened Full Greatly Hearing Morning Officials Riseth Rose Scared Servants Sore Speaketh Summoned Word Words
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.














Early the next morning
This phrase indicates promptness and urgency in Abimelech's actions. The Hebrew root for "early" (שָׁכַם, shakham) often implies diligence and earnestness. Abimelech's immediate response reflects a sense of responsibility and fear of God, emphasizing the importance of swift obedience to divine warnings. In a broader scriptural context, rising early is often associated with seeking God’s will and acting upon it, as seen in the lives of patriarchs like Abraham.

Abimelech got up
The act of getting up signifies readiness and determination. Abimelech, a king, demonstrates humility and respect for the divine message he received. The name "Abimelech" itself means "my father is king," suggesting a recognition of a higher authority, which in this context is God. His actions show a willingness to align his rule with divine guidance, a principle that resonates with the biblical theme of righteous leadership.

called all his servants together
This phrase highlights Abimelech's leadership and the communal nature of his kingdom. The Hebrew word for "called" (קָרָא, qara) implies a summoning with purpose. By gathering his servants, Abimelech ensures that the divine warning is communicated clearly and collectively, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and accountability. This act underscores the biblical principle of transparency and the importance of involving others in the pursuit of righteousness.

And when he had reported all these things to them
Abimelech's reporting of the events shows his integrity and transparency. The phrase "all these things" indicates a comprehensive account, suggesting that nothing was withheld. This openness is crucial in maintaining trust and unity among his people. In a biblical context, it reflects the importance of truthfulness and the sharing of divine revelations for communal edification and guidance.

the men were greatly frightened
The reaction of fear among the men underscores the seriousness of the situation. The Hebrew word for "frightened" (יָרֵא, yare) can also mean reverence or awe, indicating a recognition of God's power and authority. This fear is not merely terror but a profound respect for the divine, prompting a collective acknowledgment of the need for repentance and alignment with God's will. It serves as a reminder of the biblical truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

Verse 8 - Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, - an evidence of the terror into which' he had been cast by the Divine communication, and of his earnest desire to carry out the Divine instructions - and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: - confessed his fault, explained his danger, and affirmed his intention to repair his error; a proof of the humility of this God-fearing king (Lange) - and the men were sere afraid. It spoke well for the king's household that they received the communication with seriousness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Early the next morning
בַּבֹּ֗קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

Abimelech
אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

got up
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם (way·yaš·kêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning

and summoned
וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his servants;
עֲבָדָ֔יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and when he described to them
וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

had happened,
הַדְּבָרִ֥ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

the men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

were terrified.
וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ (way·yî·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten


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OT Law: Genesis 20:8 Abimelech rose early in the morning (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 20:7
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