Old Testament
Genesis 20:3
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this passage, God intervenes in a critical moment for Abimelech, a king who unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his household.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
But God appeared to Abimelech in a dream that night and said, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman."
But 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.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, God intervenes in a critical moment for Abimelech, a king who unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his household. God warns him in a dream that he is in grave danger because Sarah is married. This divine message highlights the seriousness of taking someone else's spouse. It shows that God is protective of marriage and will act to safeguard it. Abimelech, upon receiving this warning, realizes the gravity of his actions and responds with fear and respect for God's authority. This encounter emphasizes the importance of integrity and the consequences of our choices. It also illustrates how God communicates with people, even in dreams, to guide them away from harm. Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder of the sanctity of relationships and the need to honor commitments. Abimelech's story encourages us to be mindful of our actions and their impact on others, reinforcing the idea that God is always watching over us, ready to steer us back on the right path.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Genesis 20:3 to your life
This passage encourages us to reflect on our relationships and the commitments we make. It reminds us to respect the bonds of marriage and to be aware of the potential consequences of our actions. By honoring our promises, we can avoid unnecessary harm to ourselves and others. Let this story inspire us to act with integrity in all our dealings with others, especially in matters of the heart. God is always watching over us, guiding
Curated for this public verse page. Genesis Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Genesis 20:3 mean?
Genesis 20:3 describes God's warning to Abimelech in a dream after he unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham's wife. God tells Abimelech that he is in danger because Sarah is married, highlighting the seriousness of taking someone else's spouse.
What is the significance of dreams in Genesis 20:3?
In Genesis 20:3, God uses a dream to communicate a critical warning to Abimelech. This shows that dreams can serve as a means for divine intervention and guidance, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to such messages.
What does God mean when He says Abimelech is a dead man?
When God tells Abimelech he is a 'dead man,' it signifies the serious consequences of his actions in taking a married woman. It emphasizes the gravity of violating marital commitments and the protection God offers to those relationships.
How does Genesis 20:3 relate to integrity?
Genesis 20:3 relates to integrity by showing the importance of respecting marriage vows. Abimelech's encounter with God serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences, and acting with integrity can prevent harm to ourselves and others.
The Book of Genesis
Genesis 1: Creation
God creates the heaven and the earth, and the earth is without form and void, covered in darkness as His Spirit moves upon the waters. He speaks light into existence, separates it from darkness, and names them Day and Night. He divides the waters with a firmament called Heaven, gathers the lower waters to reveal dry land called Earth, and commands the earth to bring forth grass, herbs, and fruit trees yielding seed after their kind. He sets the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament to divide day from night, to give light, and to mark seasons, days, and years. He fills the waters with living creatures and the air with fowl, blessing them to multiply, then creates cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth. Finally, He creates man in His own image, male and female, gives them dominion over all living things, and appoints every herb and tree for food, and He sees that all He has made is very good.
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