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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 20:3

3. But God came to Abimelech in a dream—In early times a dream was often made the medium of communicating important truths; and this method was adopted for the preservation of Sarah. 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 20:1

XX.ABRAHAM’S DENIAL OF HIS WIFE AT GERAR.(1) Abraham journeyed from thence.—That is, from Mamre, where he had so long halted, and which seems to have continued to be one of his homes. As he had been commanded to traverse the whole land (Genesis 13:17-18), we need seek no reasons for his removal. It was the rule of his life to move from place to place, both on account of his cattle, and also because by so doing he was taking possession of the country. There were, nevertheless, certain places... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 20:2

(2) She is my sister.—Twenty years before, Abraham had acted in the same way in Egypt, and Pharaoh had rebuked him, but sent him away with large presents. We learn from this chapter, Genesis 20:13, that the false representation which twice brought them into trouble was habitual with the two; nor does Abraham ever seem conscious that he was acting in it wrongfully. To us it seems cowardly, in one who had so many men trained to battle, thus to expose his wife to danger; and to have recourse to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 20:3

(3) God (Elohim) came . . . —From the use of this title of the Deity it has been said that this narrative is an Elohistic form of the Jehovistic narrative in·Genesis 12:10-20. But we have seen that even in the History of the Fall, where the writer in so remarkable a manner styles the Deity Jehovah-Elohim, he nevertheless restricts Eve and the serpent in their conversation to the name Elohim. With the same care in the application of the names, it is necessarily Elohim who appears to a heathen... 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 20:1

20:1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and {a} Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.(a) Which was toward Egypt. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 20:2

20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, {b} She [is] my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.(b) Abraham had now twice fallen into this sin: such is man’s frailty. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 20:3

20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, {c} thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man’s wife.(c) So greatly God detests the breach of marriage. 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

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