Genesis 20:14 kjv

And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Genesis 20:14 nkjv

Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.

Genesis 20:14 niv

Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.

Genesis 20:14 esv

Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him.

Genesis 20:14 nlt

Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him.

Genesis 20 verses

Genesis 20 14 Meaning

Genesis 20:14 describes Abimelech's act of restitution and reconciliation towards Abraham after discovering that Sarah, whom he had taken into his harem, was Abraham's wife. Abimelech gave Abraham a significant array of material wealth—sheep, oxen, male servants, and female servants—and critically, returned Sarah, his wife, to him. This action signifies a pagan king's acknowledgment of Abraham's privileged status before God and his attempt to rectify a wrong, thereby avoiding divine wrath and seeking peace with the patriarch. It highlights divine protection over Abraham and Sarah, even in Abraham's deceit.

Genesis 20 14 Context

Genesis chapter 20 narrates Abraham's journey to Gerar, a Philistine city, and his subsequent deception regarding Sarah, presenting her as his sister rather than his wife, out of fear for his life. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, unknowingly takes Sarah into his household, intending her for his harem. Before Abimelech approaches Sarah, God intervenes in a dream, warning Abimelech of his impending death if he were to touch Sarah, revealing that she is a married woman. Abimelech protests his innocence and the integrity of his heart, acknowledging God's revelation. God instructs Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, identifying Abraham as a prophet who would pray for Abimelech's household to be healed from a plague caused by God. Abimelech, upon waking, promptly convenes his officials and recounts the dream. This verse, Gen 20:14, immediately follows Abimelech's realization of his mistake and the potential divine wrath. It demonstrates Abimelech's prompt obedience and generous action as a means of seeking reconciliation and making amends for an unintentional wrong against a man God clearly favored. Culturally, kings in the ancient Near East often demonstrated their wealth and power through gifts, and such generosity could also be a means of cementing alliances or resolving disputes.

Genesis 20 14 Word analysis

• Then Abimelech (וַיִּקַּח אֲבִימֶלֶךְ, vayyiqqaḥ Avimeleḵ):

  • Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ): This name, meaning "my father is king" or "father of a king," often functioned as a royal title among Philistine rulers rather than a personal name. His actions here reflect the office and responsibilities of a powerful pagan king reacting to divine intervention.
  • Took (וַיִּקַּח, vayyiqqaḥ): A strong verb (Qal imperfect consecutive) indicating a deliberate action. It mirrors the action taken by Pharaoh in Gen 12:16, but here the act is for restitution, not acquisition of the person.

• sheep and oxen (צֹאן וּבָקָר, tso’n uvāqār):

  • These represent significant components of ancient Near Eastern wealth and livelihood. Sheep provided wool, milk, and meat; oxen were essential for agriculture and transport. This generous gift indicates Abimelech's sincere desire to make amends and recognize Abraham's status. It parallels the blessings Pharaoh had given Abraham earlier.

• and male servants and female servants (וַעֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחֹת, va’avāḏîm ušēp̄āḥôṯ):

  • Male servants (עֲבָדִים, avāḏîm) and female servants (וּשְׁפָחֹת, ušəp̄āḥôṯ): These were often valued assets in ancient households, contributing to labor and the economic power of the family. The giving of servants would have increased Abraham's household and status significantly.

• and gave them to Abraham (וַיִּתֵּן לְאַבְרָהָם, vayyittēn lə’avrâhām):

  • Gave (וַיִּתֵּן, vayyittēn): A common verb (Qal imperfect consecutive of נָתַן, natan) signifying transfer of possession or a gift. The explicit naming of "Abraham" as the recipient emphasizes the direct act of reparation towards the patriarch.

• and restored Sarah his wife to him (וַיָּשֶׁב לוֹ אֵת שָׂרָה אִשְׁתּוֹ, vayyāšev lo ’ēṯ Sārâ ’išttô):

  • Restored (וַיָּשֶׁב, vayyāšev): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn, return, or restore." This is the crucial verb in the verse, signifying not just giving, but specifically returning something that was taken or displaced. This verb encapsulates the essence of restitution.
  • Sarah his wife (אֵת שָׂרָה אִשְׁתּוֹ, ’ēṯ Sārâ ’išttô): The phrase emphasizes the accurate marital status of Sarah, correcting the misunderstanding and Abraham's initial deception. The primary and most critical item of restoration is Sarah, emphasizing the relational aspect over material gain.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then Abimelech took... and gave them to Abraham": This phrase highlights the intentionality of Abimelech's action. He gathered significant wealth (took) specifically to present it (gave) as an offering of peace and restitution. This contrasts with his initial taking of Sarah for himself, underscoring the reversal of his intent.
  • "sheep and oxen and male servants and female servants": This enumeration of specific types of possessions illustrates the generosity and completeness of the gift. These items collectively represent a substantial increase in Abraham's material wealth and social standing, a tangible expression of apology and honor.
  • "and restored Sarah his wife to him": This final clause is the pinnacle of the restitution. While the material gifts were significant, the return of Sarah, explicitly acknowledged as Abraham's wife, directly rectifies the gravest error. This demonstrates the spiritual and relational restoration that Abimelech, influenced by God, understood as paramount.

Genesis 20 14 Bonus section

The nature of Abimelech's recompense, freely given to prevent greater harm, highlights the concept of preventive restitution. Abimelech was acting not under the Law of Moses (which did not yet exist), but in response to a direct divine threat, illustrating universal principles of justice and appeasement recognized by God even among non-Israelite peoples. This contrasts with Pharaoh's gift to Abraham in Genesis 12:16, which was given simply due to Abraham's presence and was increased in anticipation of divine displeasure due to Sarah's beauty, without a specific command for return of a wife. Abimelech's act in Gen 20:14 is specifically framed as a restoration because Sarah was directly taken from Abraham due to his lie. The wealth given could also be interpreted as a 'covering of the eyes' (Gen 20:16), meaning compensation that would publicly vindicate Sarah's purity and restore honor, serving as a payment for the affront and a sign of good will towards Abraham, who was a "prophet" of God. This transaction cemented a working peace between Abraham and Abimelech, allowing Abraham to remain in the land.

Genesis 20 14 Commentary

Genesis 20:14 reveals several profound truths. First, it underscores God's unfailing protection of His covenant people and promises. Even when Abraham acted out of fear and deceived, jeopardizing the lineage through which the Messiah would come, God intervened miraculously to preserve Sarah's purity and Abraham's family line. God's faithfulness overrides human failures. Second, Abimelech's swift and generous restitution demonstrates the righteous response of a king, even a pagan one, when confronted by divine truth. His actions reflect an integrity of heart that contrasts with Abraham's fear-driven deceit, showing that righteousness can be found even outside the immediate covenant community when God's revelation is heeded. The scope of his gifts – livestock and servants – indicates a significant material compensation, yet the core of his restitution was the return of Sarah. This emphasizes that while earthly compensation is part of amends, the restoration of right relationships, particularly regarding the family unit, is of utmost importance. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine sovereignty over kings and nations, proving that God orchestrates circumstances, even human fear and error, to fulfill His purposes and protect His elect. Abimelech's generosity effectively established peace and safety for Abraham within his realm.