Genesis 20:6 KJV

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 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream ,.... The same dream continued: yea , or "also" I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart ; not only thou knowest, but I, who know all things, know and acknowledge that this was so done by thee. Abimelech's plea is admitted, and a very great testimony borne to his integrity in this matter; and throughout the whole account he appears to be a man of great honour and uprightness, especially in this affair, if not a good man: for I also... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:6

Verse 6 6.Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart. We infer from this answer of God, (as I have lately remarked,) that Abimelech did not testify falsely concerning his own integrity. Yet, while God allows that his excuse is true, He nevertheless chastises him. Let us hence learn, that even they who are pure, according to human judgment, are not entirely free from blame. For no error may be deemed so excusable, as to be without some deteriorating admixture. Wherefores it... 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 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream ,—"It is in full agreement with the nature of dreams that the communication should be made in several, and not in one single act; cf. Genesis 37:1-36 , and Genesis 41:1-57 .; Matthew 2:1-23 ." (Lange)— Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart — i.e. judged from thy moral standpoint. The words do not imply a Divine acquittal as to the essential guiltiness of the act, which is clearly involved in the instruction to seek the... 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 20:6

Genesis 20:6. I withheld thee, &c. It is God that restrains men from doing the ill they would do; it is not from him that there is sin, but it is from him that there is not more sin, either by his influence on men’s minds, checking their inclination to sin, or by his providence, taking away the opportunity of committing it. It is a great mercy to be hindered from sinning, which God must have the glory of, whoever is the instrument. 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 20:6

I also withheld. Divine intervention needed. Compare Genesis 20:2 . Note the emphatic pronouns. See App-23 . sinning. See App-44 . touch. Here is the Hebrew word naga = touch, used in a clear understandable sense as it is used in Genesis 3:3 , "neither shall ye touch it". See note on Genesis 3:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 20:4-6

"Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation? Said he not himself unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart hast thou done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her."It is important to note that... read more