Abraham and Abimelech
Genesis 20:1-18
Gen.20.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- שור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויגר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בגרר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.12:10-20 (thematic): Abram likewise journeys into a foreign territory (Egypt) and the narrative introduces a crisis involving Sarah and a foreign ruler; parallels the motif of patriarchal sojourning and endangered wife (the deception/ protection motif developed in Gen 20).
- Gen.16:7 (allusion): Hagar's encounter is located 'on the way to Shur' — the same geographic marker (Shur) that frames Abraham's movement here, linking events to the border region toward Egypt.
- Gen.26:1-11 (thematic): Isaac's later sojourn in Gerar and his comparable episode with Abimelech/Rebekah repeats the pattern of father/son sojourn and the 'wife presented as sister' deception, creating a direct narrative parallel to Abraham's stay in Gerar.
- Gen.21:22-34 (structural): The covenant between Abraham and Abimelech at Beersheba follows the Gerar episode and shows the longer-term political and territorial relationship that the Gerar sojourn initiates in the Abraham–Abimelech strand of the narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham journeyed from there to the land of the Negeb; and he dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.
- And Abraham journeyed from there to the land of the Negev, and he dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and he sojourned in Gerar.
Gen.20.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- אחתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- גרר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.12:11-20 (verbal): Abraham likewise presents Sarah as his sister to Pharaoh; Pharaoh takes her — the same ‘sister-wife’ claim and resulting seizure are narrated earlier, with God intervening.
- Gen.26:7-11 (allusion): A parallel episode with Isaac and Rebekah: Isaac calls Rebekah his sister, Abimelech takes her, and God appears to the king — repeating the motif and divine protection found in Gen 20.
- Gen.20:3-7 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: God appears to Abimelech in a dream warning that Sarah is a married woman and preventing him from sin — directly linked consequence of verse 2.
- Gen.20:11-13 (verbal): Abraham’s own explanation that he called Sarah his sister (and that she was his half-sister) provides the motive and verbal confirmation of the claim made in verse 2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister; and Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
- And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister; and Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
Gen.20.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחלום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- הנך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- על: PREP
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- בעלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.12.17 (thematic): God punishes/afflicts a foreign ruler’s household because of Sarai (Abraham’s wife) — a parallel case of God intervening when a patriarch’s wife is taken into the household of a ruler.
- Gen.20.4 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same episode: God tells Abimelech in the dream that He kept him from touching Sarah — same divine intervention and prevention language as v.3.
- Gen.20.6 (verbal): Abimelech’s own testimony that God prevented him from sinning and would have killed him — reinforces the divine warning stated in v.3 and confirms the effect of the dream.
- Gen.31.24 (structural): God appears to Laban (a non‑Israelite) in a dream at night and warns him not to harm Jacob — a close structural parallel of God addressing a foreign ruler by night dream to restrain hostile action.
Alternative generated candidates
- And God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, Behold, you are a dead man on account of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a married woman.
- And God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night and said to him, Behold, you are a dead man on account of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a married woman.
Gen.20.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואבימלך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- קרב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- הגוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- גם: ADV
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תהרג: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen 20:3 (structural): Immediate context: God appears to Abimelech in a dream warning him that he is a dead man because of Sarah — explains why Abimelech reacts with fear about killing a righteous people.
- Gen 12:10-17 (thematic): Earlier instance of Abraham’s presenting Sarah as his sister and a foreign ruler (Pharaoh) being endangered/afflicted — same pattern of deception that puts a host nation at risk.
- Gen 26:7-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham’s 'sister' deception with Rebekah and is confronted by the men of the place/Abimelech — parallel episode of marital deception and threat to the host community.
- Gen 20:9-11 (verbal): Abimelech’s later words to Abraham and Sarah in the same chapter (questions about what Abraham has done and Sarah’s explanation) continue the same exchange and justify his fear for his people.
- Gen 18:25 (thematic): Abraham’s appeal about divine justice ('Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?') parallels the issue of whether God would judge/kill a people for actions tied to one man’s deception — shared concern with divine righteousness and communal consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, Lord, will you even slay a righteous nation?
- Now Abimelech had not come near her, and he said, Lord, will you also slay a righteous nation?
Gen.20.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלא: PART
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אחתי: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אמרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בתם: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- לבבי: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ובנקין: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כפי: PREP
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 12:10-20 (verbal): Abraham similarly tells Sarah to say she is his sister in Egypt; Pharaoh takes her and God intervenes — same sister-wife wording and the motif of a foreign ruler seizing the woman.
- Genesis 26:7-11 (verbal): Isaac repeats the same claim about Rebekah as his sister when sojourning in Gerar; Abimelech later discovers the true relationship — a direct narrative parallel using the same formula.
- Genesis 20:3-7 (structural): Immediate context in which God reveals to Abimelech in a dream that Sarah is Abraham's wife and declares Abimelech innocent — explains why Abimelech defends his integrity in v.5.
- Genesis 20:13 (thematic): Abraham’s own explanation that he presented Sarah as his sister out of fear for his life echoes v.5’s mutual sister-brother claim and provides the motive behind the deception.
Alternative generated candidates
- Did he not himself say to me, She is my sister? And she, even she said, He is my brother; in the integrity of my heart and the cleanness of my hands I have done this.
- Did he not himself say to me, She is my sister? and she, even she also said, He is my brother; in the integrity of my heart and in the innocence of my hands I have done this.
Gen.20.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בחלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- בתם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- זאת: PRON,dem,f,sg
- ואחשך: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- גם: ADV
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אותך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מחטו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- נתתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- לנגע: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Gen.20.3 (structural): Same narrative episode: God appears to Abimelech in a dream to warn him about Sarah; 20:6 is God's explanation following that visitation.
- Gen.12.17 (thematic): Earlier instance where God intervenes to protect Sarah (Pharaoh afflicted for taking her)—theme of divine protection of Abraham's wife and preventing sexual violation.
- Gen.26.7-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham's 'wife-as-sister' deception and is confronted by Abimelech—parallel situation of marital deception and concern for a man's interaction with another's wife.
- Gen.39.9 (verbal): Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife's advances, calling such an act 'a great sin against God'—echoes the language of sexual sin being an offense against God (cf. 'sin against me').
- Matt.1.20 (thematic): An angel appears to Joseph in a dream about taking Mary as his wife—parallel use of nocturnal divine revelation to resolve a threatened marital/sexual crisis.
Alternative generated candidates
- And God said to him in the dream, I also knew that in the integrity of your heart you did this; and I also withheld you from sinning against me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
- And God said to him in the dream, I also knew that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
Gen.20.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- השב: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- נביא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitp,yiqtol,3,m,sg
- בעדך: PREP,2,m,sg
- וחיה: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,sg
- ואם: CONJ
- אינך: PART_NEG,2,m,sg
- משיב: VERB,hif,ptc,2,m,sg
- דע: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- תמות: VERB,qal,yiqtol,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 12:17-20 (thematic): Earlier episode where Abraham's wife Sarai is taken into a ruler's house (Pharaoh); God inflicts plagues on the ruler and intervenes to protect the wife—same motif of divine protection of Abraham's wife and divine punishment of the host.
- Genesis 20:3, 6 (structural): Immediate context: God appears to Abimelech in a dream (v.3) and declares He withheld Abimelech from sin (v.6); these verses frame v.7's command that Abraham (a prophet) will pray for him and avert death.
- Genesis 26:7-11 (thematic): Parallel incident with Isaac and Rebekah where Isaac claims Rebekah is his sister and Abimelech confronts him; repeats the motif of a patriarch's wife endangered by a ruler and the ruler's moral response when the truth emerges.
- Exodus 32:11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes with God to avert divine wrath against the people; parallels the role of a righteous figure (here Abraham called 'a prophet') whose prayer/plea can turn aside divine judgment and grant life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, return the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live; but if you do not return, know that you shall surely die—you and all that is yours.
- Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live; but if you do not restore, know that surely you shall die—you and all that is yours.
Gen.20.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכל: PREP
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- באזניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- וייראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Genesis 20:3 (structural): Immediate context: God appears to Abimelech in a dream and warns him about taking Sarah—this divine revelation directly precipitates Abimelech's waking, summoning of his servants, and fear in 20:8.
- Genesis 12:17-20 (thematic): A parallel episode in which Pharaoh is afflicted because of Sarah (Abram's wife presented as sister); Pharaoh summons his household and rebukes Abram—similar motif of a foreign ruler's household reacting to a threatened marriage with consequences and fear/repentance.
- Genesis 26:7-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham's 'wife-as-sister' deception before Abimelech; the king's discovery and reaction echo the Genesis 20 episode—same deception motif and royal response to potential sexual impropriety involving a patriarch's wife.
- Genesis 20:9-11 (structural): Direct continuation: Abimelech questions Abraham and explains his fear of sinning against God; these verses complete the action begun in 20:8 (calling servants, announcing the matter, and the resulting fear).
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abimelech rose early in the morning; and he called all his servants and spoke all these words in their ears; and the men were very afraid.
- And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and spoke all these words in their ears; and the men were greatly afraid.
Gen.20.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאברהם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- חטאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הבאת: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ממלכתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- חטאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מעשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
Parallels
- Gen.12:18-19 (verbal): Pharaoh reproves Abram after Abram called Sarah his sister, using similar language of reprimand ('What have you done to me?') and the motif of bringing trouble through the deception.
- Gen.26:10-11 (verbal): Abimelech (and his officials) confronts Isaac over the same 'she is my sister' deception about Rebekah; the rebuke echoes the wording and charge of a serious wrongdoing brought upon the ruler and his household.
- Gen.26:7-9 (thematic): Isaac's explanation for the deception ('I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place') parallels Abraham's later explanation in 20:11–13, showing a repeated thematic rationale for the patriarchs' false claim.
- Gen.20:5-7 (structural): Immediate narrative context: God and Abimelech earlier address the moral and legal consequences of taking Sarah, and Abimelech's protest of innocence and concern for the 'great sin' frames the same accusation found in v.9.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? Deeds which ought not to be done you have done with me.
- And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What have you done to us? and how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? Deeds which ought not to be done you have done with me.
Gen.20.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 12:18 (verbal): Pharaoh's rebuke to Abram uses almost identical wording ('What hast thou done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?') — same wife-as-sister deception and the same accusatory formula.
- Genesis 26:7-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham's claim that his wife is his sister; Abimelech (or his men) confront Isaac with the same reproach and the episode echoes the moral and diplomatic consequences of the deception.
- Genesis 20:2 (structural): Immediate narrative cause: Abimelech has taken Sarah believing she is Abraham's sister — this action precipitates the question in 20:10.
- Genesis 20:9 (structural): God's warning to Abimelech in a dream directly precedes and motivates Abimelech's confrontation in 20:10; both verses together explain why Abimelech addresses Abraham and accuses him.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abimelech said to Abraham, What did you see that you did this thing?
- And Abimelech said to Abraham, What did you see, that you did this thing?
Gen.20.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- רק: PRT
- אין: PART,neg
- יראת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- והרגוני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl+OBJ1s
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
Parallels
- Gen.12:11-13 (verbal): Abraham earlier uses the same ruse in Egypt—he tells Sarah to say she is his sister because he fears the Egyptians will kill him for her (same motive and wording).
- Gen.12:18-20 (thematic): The Egyptian episode shows the similar consequence of the same deception (Pharaoh rebukes Abraham and sends them away), paralleling the social danger Abraham feared.
- Gen.26:7 (verbal): Isaac repeats Abraham’s strategy with Rebekah, saying essentially the same thing—he tells others she is his sister 'because I feared I would be killed for her' (near-verbatim rationale).
- Gen.20:12 (structural): Abraham’s immediate explanation to Abimelech that Sarah is 'indeed my sister' (half‑truth) follows and reinforces the motive he gives in v.11; it is the same justificatory claim within the same narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham said, Because I said, Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me on account of my wife.
- And Abraham said, Because I said, Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me on account of my wife.
Gen.20.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אמנה: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אחתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אך: PART
- לא: PART_NEG
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אמי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 12:11-13 (verbal): Abraham earlier tells Pharaoh that Sarah is his sister ("Say you are my sister") — same strategy and language used to explain Sarah as "the daughter of my father, though not of my mother."
- Genesis 20:11 (verbal): Immediate context: Abraham explicitly repeats the same claim to Abimelech here, using nearly identical wording to justify why he presented Sarah as his sister.
- Genesis 20:2 (structural): Narrative parallel within the same episode: the report that Abraham called Sarah his sister and Abimelech then took her — this verse frames the situation that 20:12 explains.
- Genesis 26:7 (thematic): Isaac repeats the same tactic with Rebekah before the men of Gerar, claiming his wife is his sister — a parallel situation and moral/ethical theme of spouse-as-sister deception.
Alternative generated candidates
- And moreover, indeed she is my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
- And moreover, indeed she is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
Gen.20.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- התעו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תעשי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- שמה: ADV
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 12:11-13 (verbal): Abraham instructs Sarah to say she is his sister when they go into Egypt — the same ruse and phrasing used later in Genesis 20 (the pattern of protecting oneself by claiming the wife is a sister).
- Genesis 20:2 (quotation): Immediate parallel within the same episode: Abraham had already told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister (this repeats and explains that earlier statement).
- Genesis 26:7 (verbal): Isaac repeats the identical deception regarding Rebekah in Gerar, saying she is his sister; the motive (fear for his life because of his wife's beauty) and wording closely mirror Genesis 20/12.
- Genesis 12:1-3 (thematic): Genesis 20:13's claim that God caused Abraham to 'leave my father's house' echoes the foundational theme of God's call to Abraham to depart his homeland — tying the episode to the larger motif of divine direction and migration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, This is your kindness which you shall do with me: in every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.
- And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, This is your kindness that you shall do for me: in every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.
Gen.20.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובקר: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועבדים: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושפחת: CONJ,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאברהם: PREP,NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 12:16 (verbal): Almost identical action and wording: Pharaoh gives Abram sheep, cattle, male and female servants and returns/lets Sarai go — a near-duplicate list of gifts and the restoration of the wife in an earlier 'wife-as-sister' episode.
- Genesis 12:17-20 (thematic): Same motif of a foreign ruler taking the patriarch’s wife, divine intervention afflicting the ruler’s household, and the subsequent return of the woman and bestowal of gifts.
- Genesis 20:1-18 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the fuller Abimelech episode in which he takes Sarah, is warned by God, confronts Abraham, and then restores Sarah and gives Abraham gifts — verse 14 is the culmination of this unit.
- Genesis 26:6-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham’s 'wife-as-sister' strategy with Rebekah in Gerar; the parallel highlights the recurring danger and social repercussions when the patriarchs misrepresent their wives’ identities.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male servants and female servants and gave them to Abraham; and he returned to him Sarah his wife.
- And Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.
Gen.20.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- ארצי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בטוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.20:14 (structural): Immediate context in the same episode: Abimelech returns Sarah, gives gifts and then (v.15) offers Abraham the land — same speech/action chain.
- Gen.47:6 (verbal): Pharaoh to Joseph: “the land of Egypt is before thee… make thy father and brethren to dwell” — a very similar offer of territory and residence to foreigners.
- Gen.17:8 (thematic): God’s promise to Abraham to give Canaan to him and his offspring — theologically parallel in granting land as blessing and place of dwelling.
- Gen.26:3 (thematic): God’s charge to Isaac to sojourn in the land and the reiteration of the covenant — echoes the theme of permission/assurance to settle in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it is good in your eyes.
- And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it is good in your eyes.
Gen.20.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולשרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאחיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כסות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עינים: NOUN,f,du,abs
- לכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- ונכחת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.20.14 (verbal): Same episode — Abimelech restores Sarah to Abraham and gives gifts; verse 16 continues by specifying a thousand pieces given for Sarah as a public token (closely connected wording and action).
- Gen.12:14-20 (thematic): Earlier Abram and Sarai in Egypt: Sarai is presented as Abram’s sister, Pharaoh takes her and later returns her with gifts. Parallel situation of a ruler taking/returning Sarah and the theme of restitution/compensation.
- Gen.26:6-11 (thematic): Isaac repeats Abraham’s tactic, presenting Rebekah as his sister; Abimelech’s court reacts and the episode ends with a confrontation and later settlement — a narrative parallel of marital status presented as ‘sister’ and a ruler’s response.
- Exod.22:16-17 (structural): Legal parallel: laws requiring a man who seduces a virgin to pay a bride-price or compensation. Genesis 20:16’s payment of 'a thousand pieces' functions similarly as formal compensation/vindication for a woman’s reputation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given a thousand silver pieces to your brother; behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all who are with you; and before all you are vindicated.
- And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given a thousand pieces of silver to your brother; behold, it is for you a covering of eyes to all who are with you, and with all you are vindicated.
Gen.20.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitpael,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירפא: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אבימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- ואמהתיו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- וילדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.21:1-2 (structural): God brings about the birth of Isaac after the crisis over Sarah — a closely related narrative of divine action producing children for Abraham and Sarah (barrenness -> birth).
- 1 Sam.1:19-20 (thematic): Hannah prays and God answers by opening her womb so she bears Samuel; parallels the motif of prayer/ divine intervention resulting in conception and birth.
- Judg.13:2-5 (thematic): An angel announces that Manoah’s barren wife will bear Samson; another instance of God removing barrenness and enabling a child for covenant purposes.
- James 5:14-16 (thematic): Calls for prayer for the sick and affirms that the prayer of the righteous heals — parallels Abraham’s intercession and God’s healing of Abimelech and his household.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants; and they bore children.
- And Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, and they bore children.
Gen.20.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- עצר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עצר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעד: PREP
- כל: DET
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אבימלך: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.11:30 (thematic): States that Sarai was barren — establishes the recurring motif of barrenness in Abraham’s family that makes God’s later intervention significant.
- Gen.16:2 (thematic): Sarai’s barrenness leads her to give Hagar to Abram; an earlier narrative consequence of the same problem addressed in 20:18.
- Gen.29:31 (verbal): Describes God ‘opening’ (and by implication closing) wombs (Leah/Rachel), using language parallel to God’s action regarding Abimelech’s household.
- Gen.25:21 (thematic): Isaac prays for Rebekah because she is barren and God answers by opening her womb — a later instance of divine intervention in human fertility.
- 1 Sam.1:5-20 (thematic): Hannah’s barrenness and God’s subsequent blessing (the birth of Samuel) echo the motif of closed wombs reversed by divine action found in Gen 20:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD had closed fast every womb of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, the wife of Abraham.
- For the LORD had closed fast every womb of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, the wife of Abraham.
And Abraham journeyed from there to the land of the Negev, and he dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister; and Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. And God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night and said to him, Behold, you are a dead man on account of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a married woman. Now Abimelech had not come near her, and he said, Lord, will you even slay a righteous nation?
Did he not himself say to me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself, said, He is my brother. In the integrity of my heart and in the cleanness of my hands I have done this. And God said to him in the dream, I also knew that in the integrity of your heart you did this; and I also withheld you from sinning against me—therefore I did not let you touch her. Now therefore return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live; but if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die—you and all that is yours. And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and spoke all these words in their ears; and the men were very afraid. And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What have you done to us? and how have I sinned against you, that you have brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? Deeds which ought not to be done you have done to me. And Abimelech said to Abraham, What did you see, that you have done this thing? And Abraham said, Because I said, Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me on account of my wife. And moreover, indeed she is my sister, the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, This is your kindness that you shall do with me: in every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother. And Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male servants and female servants and gave them to Abraham, and he restored to him Sarah his wife. And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it is good in your eyes. And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given a thousand pieces of silver to your brother; behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all who are with you; and before all you are vindicated. And Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and his wife and his maidservants, and they bore children.
For the Lord had closed fast every womb of the house of Abimelech on account of Sarah, the wife of Abraham.