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Chapter Summary

Read Genesis Chapter 20 in full above. This chapter is part of the book of Genesis and continues the narrative, teachings, or poetry found throughout this biblical text.

Genesis Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Genesis from the Holy Bible

Verses: 18Reading time: ~3 min
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Verses

Genesis 20:1

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

Genesis 20:2

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

Genesis 20:3

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.

Genesis 20:4

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

Genesis 20:5

Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

Genesis 20:6

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.

Genesis 20:7

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.

Genesis 20:8

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.

Genesis 20:9

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.

Genesis 20:10

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

Genesis 20:11

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.

Genesis 20:12

And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 20:13

And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

Genesis 20:14

And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Genesis 20:15

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

Genesis 20:16

And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

Genesis 20:17

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

Genesis 20:18

For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.

People Also Ask

What is Genesis Chapter 20 about?

Genesis Chapter 20 is part of the book of Genesis in the Pentateuch (Torah). This chapter contains 18 verses. Read the full text above to study its message in context with the surrounding chapters.

How many verses are in Genesis Chapter 20?

Genesis Chapter 20 contains 18 verses. You can use the Audio Reader to listen to this chapter read aloud, or use the font size controls above to adjust the text for comfortable reading. Bookmark individual verses by hovering over them and clicking the bookmark icon.

How can I study Genesis Chapter 20 more deeply?

To study this chapter more deeply: (1) Read the surrounding chapters for context — start with Chapter 19. (2) Explore related themes in our Faith Discussions section. (3) Find verses that match your emotional needs in Verses by Emotion. (4) Use the bookmark feature to save key verses for later reflection.