Abraham and Abimelech
Genesis 20
While sojourning in Gerara, Abraam again says that Sarrha is his sister, and Abimelech the king takes her, but God warns him in a dream that she is another man's wife. Abimelech, having not touched her, returns Sarrha untouched, gives Abraam gifts, and is healed along with his household after Abraam prays for them.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW Abraham had removed thence into the south country, and made his abode between Kades and Sour, and sojourned among the Gerarites.
BrentonAnd Abraam removed thence to the southern country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκίνησεν ἐκεῖθεν Ἁβραὰμ εἰς γῆν πρὸς Λίβα· καὶ ᾤκησεν ἀνὰ μέσον Κάδης, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Σούρ· καὶ παρῴκησεν ἐν Γεράροις.
KJVAnd Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
JPSAnd Abraham journeyed from thence toward the land of the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.
2
ThomsonAnd Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister. For he was afraid to say, She is my wife, lest the men of the city should kill him on her account. And Abimelech the king of the Gerarites sent and took Sarah.
BrentonAnd Abraam said concerning Sarrha his wife, She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the city should kill him for her sake. So Abimelech king of Gerara sent and took Sarrha.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἁβραὰμ περὶ Σάῤῥας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀδελφή μου ἐστίν· ἐφοβήθη γὰρ εἰπεῖν ὅτι γυνή μου ἐστὶ, μή ποτε ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως διʼ αὐτήν· ἀπέστειλε δὲ Ἀβιμέλεχ βασιλεὺς Γεράρων, καὶ ἔλαβε τὴν Σάῤῥαν.
KJVAnd Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
JPSAnd Abraham said of Sarah his wife: ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3
ThomsonAnd God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said, Behold thou diest for this woman, whom thou hast taken; for she is the man’s wife.
BrentonAnd God came to Abimelech by night in sleep, and said, Behold, thou diest for the woman, whom thou hast taken, whereas she has lived with a husband.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Ἀβιμέλεχ ἐν ὕπνῳ τὴν νύκτα, καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ σὺ ἀποθνήσκεις περὶ τῆς γυναικὸς, ἧς ἔλαβες· αὕτη δέ ἐστι συνῳκηκυῖα ἀνδρί.
KJVBut God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
JPSBut God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him: ‘Behold, thou shalt die, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.’
4
ThomsonNow Abimelech had not touched her. And Abimelech said, O Lord, wilt thou destroy an unknowing and righteous nation?
BrentonBut Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, Lord, wilt thou destroy an ignorantly sinning and just nation?
GreekἈβιμέλεχ δὲ οὐχ ἥψατο αὐτῆς· καὶ εἶπε, Κύριε, ἔθνος ἀγνοοῦν καὶ δίκαιον ἀπολεῖς;
KJVBut Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
JPSNow Abimelech had not come near her; and he said: ‘Lord, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation?
5
ThomsonDid he not tell me, She is my sister? And did not she say to me, He is my brother? With a pure heart and innocent hands I have done this.
BrentonSaid he not to me, She is my sister, and said she not to me, He is my brother? with a pure heart and in the righteousness of my hands have I done this.
GreekΟὐκ αὐτός μοι εἶπεν, ἀδφή μου ἐστί; καὶ αὕτη μοι εἶπεν, ἀδελφός μου ἐστίν; ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ χειρῶν ἐποίησα τοῦτο.
KJVSaid he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
JPSSaid he not himself unto me: She is my sister? and she, even she herself said: He is my brother. In the simplicity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.’
6
ThomsonAnd God said to him in a dream, I know indeed that with a pure heart thou hast done this, and out of of compassion I withheld thee from sinning against Me. For this cause I suffered thee not to touch her.
BrentonAnd God said to him in sleep, Yea, I knew that thou didst this with a pure heart, and I spared thee, so that thou shouldest not sin against me, therefore I suffered thee not to touch her.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς καθʼ ὕπνον, κᾀγὼ ἔγνων ὅτι ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ ἐποίησας τοῦτο, καὶ ἐφεισάμην σου τοῦ μὴ ἁμαρτεῖν σε εἰς ἐμέ· ἕνεκα τούτου οὐκ ἀφῆκά σε ἅψασθαι αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
JPSAnd God said unto him in the dream: ‘Yea, I know that in the simplicity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
7
ThomsonNow therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet; and he will pray for thee and thou shalt live. But if thou restore not, be assured that thou and all belonging to thee shall die.
BrentonBut now return the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live; but if thou restore her not, know that thou shalt die and all thine.
GreekΝῦν δὲ ἀπόδος τὴν γυναῖκα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ὅτι προφήτης ἐστὶ, καὶ προσεύξεται περὶ σοῦ, καὶ ζήσῃ· εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀποδίδως, γνώσῃ ὅτι ἀποθανῇ σὺ καὶ πάντα τὰ σὰ.
KJVNow therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
JPSNow therefore restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live; and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.’
8
ThomsonAnd Abimelech arose early next morning and called all his servants and related all these things in their hearing. And all the men were exceedingly terrified.
BrentonAnd Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and he spoke all these words in their ears, and all the men feared exceedingly.
GreekΚαὶ ὤρθρισεν Ἀβιμέλεχ τῷ πρωῒ, καὶ ἐκάλεσε πάντας τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐλάλησε πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα εἰς τὰ ὦτα αὐτῶν· ἐφοβήθησαν δὲ πάντες οἱ ἄνθρωποι σφόδρα.
KJVTherefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
JPSAnd Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears; and the men were sore afraid.
9
ThomsonThen Abimelech sent for Abraham and said to him, Why hast thou dealt thus with us? Have we in any respect sinned against thee, that thou shouldst bring upon me and upon my kingdom this great sin? Thou hast done to me what no one should do.
BrentonAnd Abimelech called Abraam and said to him, What is this that thou hast done to us? Have we sinned against thee, that thou hast brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? Thou hast done to me a deed, which no one ought to do.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ἀβιμέλεχ τὸν Ἁβραὰμ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας ἡμῖν; μήτι ἡμάρτομεν εἰς σὲ, ὅτι ἐπήγαγες ἐπʼ ἐμὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν μου ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην; ἔργον ὃ οὐδεὶς ποιήσει, πεποίηκάς μοι.
KJVThen Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
JPSThen Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him: ‘What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.’
10
ThomsonMoreover Abimelech said to Abraham, What didst thou see that thou shouldst do this?
BrentonAnd Abimelech said to Abraam, What hast thou seen in me that thou hast done this?
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἀβιμέλεχ τῷ Ἁβραὰμ, τί ἐνιδὼν ἐποίησας τοῦτο;
KJVAnd Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
JPSAnd Abimelech said unto Abraham: ‘What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?’
11
ThomsonAnd Abraham said, I indeed thought, as there is no worship of God in this place, they will kill me for my wife’s sake.
BrentonAnd Abraam said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἁβραὰμ, εἶπα γὰρ, ἄρα οὐκ ἔστι θεοσέβεια ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ, ἐμέ τε ἀποκτενοῦσιν ἕνεκεν τῆς γυναικός μου.
KJVAnd Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
JPSAnd Abraham said: ‘Because I thought: Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
12
ThomsonAnd indeed of a truth she is my sister by the same father but not of the same mother, so she became my wife.
BrentonFor truly she is my sister by my father, but not by my mother, and she became my wife.
GreekΚαὶ γὰρ ἀληθῶς, ἀδελφή μου ἐστὶν ἐκ πατρὸς, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐκ μητρός· ἐγενήθη δέ μοι εἰς γυναῖκα.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd moreover she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and so she became my wife.
13
ThomsonAnd when God led me out from my father’s house I said to her, Thou wilt do me this kindness. To what place soever we come say of me, He is my brother.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when God brought me forth out of the house of my father, that I said to her, This righteousness thou shalt perform to me, in every place into which we may enter, say of me, He is my brother.
GreekἘγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα ἐξήγαγέ με ὁ Θεὸς ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ εἶπα αὐτῇ, ταύτην τὴν δικαιοσύνην ποιήσεις εἰς ἐμὲ, εἰς πάντα τόπον οὗ ἐὰν εἰσέλθωμεν ἐκεῖ, εἶπον ἐμὲ, ὅτι ἀδελφός μου ἐστίν.
KJVAnd it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her: This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me: He is my brother.’
14
ThomsonThen Abimelech took a thousand didrachms and sheep and oxen and men servants and maid servants and gave them to Abraham, and restored to him Sarah his wife.
BrentonAnd Abimelech took a thousand pieces of silver, and sheep, and calves, and servants, and maid-servants, and gave them to Abraam, and he returned him Sarrha his wife.
GreekἜλαβε δὲ Ἀβιμέλεχ χίλια δίδραγμα, καὶ πρόβατα, καὶ μόσχους, καὶ παῖδας, καὶ παιδίσκας, καὶ ἔδωκε τῷ Ἁβραάμ· καὶ ἀπέδωκεν αὐτῷ Σάῤῥαν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
JPSAnd Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and men-servants and women-servants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
15
ThomsonAnd Abimelech said to Abraham, Behold my land is before thee; dwell wherever it may please thee.
BrentonAnd Abimelech said to Abraam, Behold, my land is before thee, dwell wheresoever it may please thee.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβιμέλεχ τῷ Ἁβραὰμ, ἰδοὺ ἡ γῆ μου ἐναντίον σου· οὗ ἄν σοι ἀρέσκῃ, κατοίκει.
KJVAnd Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
JPSAnd Abimelech said: ‘Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.’
16
ThomsonAnd to Sarah he said, Behold I have given thy brother a thousand didrachms. Let these therefore be for thee to adorn thy countenance and for all the women with thee. Make thou therefore all things hereafter accord with truth.
BrentonAnd to Sarrha he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver, those shall be to thee for the price of thy countenance, and to all the women with thee, and speak the truth in all things.
GreekΤῇ δὲ Σάῤῥᾳ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ δέδωκα χίλια δίδραγμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου· ταῦτα ἔσται σοι εἰς τιμὴν τοῦ προσώπου σου, καὶ πάσαις ταῖς μετὰ σοῦ· καὶ πάντα ἀλήθευσον.
KJVAnd unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
JPSAnd unto Sarah he said: ‘Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is for thee a covering of the eyes to all that are with thee; and before all men thou art righted.’
17
ThomsonThen Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maid servants and they bore children.
BrentonAnd Abraam prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his women servants, and they bore children.
GreekΠροσηύξατο δὲ Ἁβραὰμ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἰάσατο ὁ Θεὸς τὸν Ἀβιμέλεχ, καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰς παιδίσκας αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔτεκον.
KJVSo Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
JPSAnd Abraham prayed unto God; and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants; and they bore children.
18
ThomsonFor the Lord had shut up every womb in Abimelech’s family on account of Sarah the wife of Abraham.
BrentonBecause the Lord had fast closed from without every womb in the house of Abimelech, because of Sarrha Abraam's wife.
GreekὍτι συγκλείων συνέκλεισε Κύριος ἔξωθεν πᾶσαν μήτραν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Ἀβιμέλεχ, ἕνεκεν Σάῤῥας τῆς γυναικὸς Ἁβραάμ.
KJVFor the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.
JPSFor the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.