Genesis 20:1 - Exposition

And Abraham journeyed ( vide Genesis 12:9 ) from thence. Mamre ( Genesis 18:1 ). In search of pasture, as on a previous occasion (Keil); or in consequence of the hostility of his neighbors (Calvin); or because he longed to escape from the scene of so terrible a calamity as he had witnessed (Calvin, Wilier, Murphy); or in order to benefit as many places and peoples as possible by his residence among them ( A Lapide); or perhaps being impelled by God, who designed thereby to remind him that Canaan was not intended for a permanent habitation, but for a constant pilgrimage (Poole, Kalisch). Toward the south country . Negeb, the southern district of Palestine ( Genesis 12:9 ; Genesis 13:1 ); the central region of Judaea being called Hahor, or the Highlands; the eastern, towards the Dead Sea, Midhbar ; and the western Shephelah (Lange). And dwelled between Kadesh and Shur ( vide Genesis 16:14 and Genesis 16:7 ), and sojourned in Gerar ( vide Genesis 10:19 ).