Genesis 20:12

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 20:12

Genesis 20:12. And yet indeed she is my sister— It appears as plain as words can make it from this verse, that Sarah was indeed the sister of Abraham, born of a different mother, but of the same father: and one would wonder whence it comes to pass, that some expositors are so industrious to justify an opinion which this verse so plainly contradicts, that Sarah is the same person with Ischah, the daughter of Haran, mentioned ch. Genesis 11:29. Abraham is dealing here with Abimelech in the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 20:12

12. yet indeed she is my sister—(See on Genesis 20:1). What a poor defense Abraham made. The statement absolved him from the charge of direct and absolute falsehood, but he had told a moral untruth because there was an intention to deceive (compare Genesis 20:1- :). "Honesty is always the best policy." Abraham's life would have been as well protected without the fraud as with it: and what shame to himself, what distrust to God, what dishonor to religion might have been prevented! "Let us speak... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham at Gerar1. Abraham leaves Mamre (Hebron) for Gerar, SW. of Philistia. It seems from Genesis 21:34 that he remained in that district for some years. 2. She is my sister] Twenty years earlier Abraham had used the same device in Egypt and now again he incurs a rebuke from one outside the Covenant. See Genesis 12:11-20 and notes. Abimelech] perhaps, ’Molech is my father,’ in honour of the false god. Cp. Abijah, ’Jehovah is my father.’4. Wilt thou slay also a righteous nation] Abimelech’s... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 20:12

(12) Not the daughter of my mother.—This disproves the notion that Sarah was the same as Iscah (Genesis 11:29); for as Iscah was Terah’s granddaughter, the distinction between the identity of the father and the diversity of the mother would in her case be unmeaning. Sarah was apparently Abraham’s half-sister, being Terah’s daughter by another wife; and we gather from her calling her child Sarai—that is, princely (see Genesis 17:15)—that she was not a concubine, but belonged to some noble race. read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

CHAPTER 20 Abraham in Gerar 1. Abraham in Gerar (Genesis 20:1 ) 2. Second denial of Sarah (Genesis 20:2 ) 3. God’s dealing with Abimelech (Genesis 20:3-7 ) 4. Abimelech and Abraham (Genesis 20:8-18 ) Note Abraham’s going down to Egypt in chapter 12 and now going to Gerar and denying again Sarah. In chapter 26 Isaac goes also to Gerar and denies Rebekah. It shows what the flesh is. But Abraham is greatly honored by the Lord. The Lord called him a prophet. Abraham prayed and God healed... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 20:12

20:12 And yet indeed [she is] my {m} sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.(m) By sister, he means his full cousin, and by daughter Abraham’s niece, Genesis 11:29 for so the Hebrews use these words. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

ABRAHAM EXPOSED AND REPROVED Now we return to Abraham's history. He journeyed toward the south, which is typical of pleasant circumstances, but nearly always having danger in it. He dwelt between Kadesh and Shur. Kadesh means "set apart for a purpose," which beautifully describes God's work with Abraham, and is true also of all Christians. However, Shur means "point of observation." Does this not tell us that, though we know we are set apart for God, we sometimes look the other way to observe... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

ABRAHAM AT GERAR Why Abraham took the journey in Genesis 20:1 is not stated, but perhaps to better his pasturage, for he remained in the vicinity for some time (Genesis 21:34 ). Why he employed the same subterfuge about Sarah as before also is not stated except in a general way (Genesis 20:12 ), but it resulted as it did then (Genesis 20:2 ). The chapter illustrates certain principles of God’s dealings with different men: 1. Imputed righteousness, while instantaneously giving man a right... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham and Abimelech Genesis 20:0 Abraham went from Mamre to the south, and found a fertile country lying between two deserts, the desert of Kadesh and the desert of Shur. The earth is not all fertile, or we should think little of it; neither is it all desert, or we should be driven into despair. Abraham, the great man and prophet of the Lord, once more shows his littleness by giving way to a cowardly fear that strangely divided his heart with the noblest faith found in the ancient world. His... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 20:8-12

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. This was the case. See Genesis 11:29 read more