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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 20:3-7

It appears by this that God revealed himself by dreams (which evidenced themselves to be divine and supernatural) not only to his servants the prophets, but even to those who were out of the pale of the church and covenant; but then, usually, it was with some regard to God's own people as in Pharaoh's dream, to Joseph, in Nebuchadnezzar?s, to Daniel, and here, in Abimelech?s, to Abraham and Sarah, for he reproved this king for their sake, Ps. 105:14, 15. I. God gives him notice of his danger... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:3

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night ,.... Put a dream into his mind, by which he cautioned him against taking Sarah to be his wife; so careful was the Lord that no wrong should be done to such a godly and virtuous person, to which she was exposed through the weakness of her husband. Aben Ezra wrongly interprets this of an angel, when it was God himself: and said unto him, behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken ; that is, God would punish him with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:3

But God came to Abimelech - Thus we find that persons who were not of the family of Abraham had the knowledge of the true God. Indeed, all the Gerarites are termed צדיק גוי goi tsaddik , a righteous nation, Genesis 20:4 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:3

Verse 3 3.But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night. Here Moses shows that the Lord acted with such gentleness, that in punishing his servant, he yet, as a father, forgave him: just as he deals with us, so that, while chastising us with his rod, his mercy and his goodness far exceed his severity. Hence also we infer, that he takes greater care of the pious than carnal sense can understand; since he watches over them while they sleep. This also is to be carefully noticed; that however we may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham in Gerar, or two royal sinners. I. THE SIN OF THE HEBREW PATRIARCH 1. An old sin repeated . "Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister." Twenty years before the same miserable equivocation had been circulated in Egypt. A sin once committed is not difficult to repeat, especially if its legitimate consequences, as in the case of Abraham and Sarah, have been mercifully averted. One is apt to fancy that a like immunity will attend its repetition. 2. A ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:3

But God — Elohim ; whence the present chapter, with the exception of Genesis 20:18 , is assigned to the Elohist (Tuch, De Wette, Bleek, Davidson), and the incident at Gerar explained as the original legend, of which the story of Sarah's abduction by Pharaoh is the Jehovistic imitation. But read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

- Abraham in Gerar2. אבימלך .2 'ǎbı̂ymelek, Abimelekh, “father of the king.”7. נביא nābı̂y' “prophet,” he who speaks by God, of God, and to God, who declares to people not merely things future, but also things past and present, that are not obvious to the sense or the reason; related: “flow, go forth.”13. התעוּ hı̂t‛û is plural in punctuation, agreeing grammatically with אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym. ו(w), however, may be regarded as the third radical, and the verb may thus really be singular.16. נכהת... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 20:3

Genesis 20:3. But God came to Abimelech in a dream It appears by this that God revealed himself by dreams, which evidenced themselves to be divine and supernatural, not only to his servants the prophets, but even to those that were out of the pale of the church; but then usually it was with some regard to God’s own people. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham deceives Abimelech (20:1-18)From Hebron Abraham moved into the territory of the Philistine king Abimelech. As a result of Abraham’s deceit concerning Sarah, Abimelech took Sarah as a wife and brought God’s threat of death upon him (20:1-7). Upon discovering the truth, Abimelech acted quickly and honourably. He restored Sarah’s honour in the eyes of the people, gave gifts to Abraham, and invited Abraham to settle in his land (8-16). Humbled by these events, Abraham turned again in faith... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 20:3

dream. 20 recorded in Scripture (see App-10 ). Genesis 20:3 ; Genesis 28:12 ; Genesis 31:10 , Genesis 31:24 ; Genesis 37:5 , Genesis 37:9 ; Genesis 40:5 , Genesis 40:6 ; Genesis 41:1 , Genesis 41:5 , Genesis 41:5 .Judges 7:13 . 1 Kings 3:5 .Daniel 2:3 ; Daniel 4:5 ; Daniel 7:1 .Matthew 1:20 ; Matthew 2:12 , Matthew 2:13 , Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 27:19 . man . . . for. Figure of speech Aposiopesis, or "sudden silence". We must supply "If thou dost not restore her"; or "I will slay thee". See... read more

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