Genesis 20:16 kjv

And 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.

Genesis 20:16 nkjv

Then to Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody." Thus she was rebuked.

Genesis 20:16 niv

To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated."

Genesis 20:16 esv

To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated."

Genesis 20:16 nlt

And he said to Sarah, "Look, I am giving your 'brother' 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared."

Genesis 20 verses

Genesis 20 16 Meaning

In Genesis 20:16, Abimelech speaks to Sarah, delivering a significant sum of silver to Abraham, her "brother." This payment, described as "a covering for your eyes," served as a public declaration to everyone present and in the broader community. Its purpose was to publicly clear Sarah's name and fully vindicate her honor and purity, demonstrating that she was innocent and free from any accusation of impropriety during her stay in Abimelech's household. The king's actions effectively restored her untarnished reputation.

Genesis 20 16 Context

Genesis 20 records Abraham's second deceptive claim about Sarah being his sister (following a similar incident in Gen 12 with Pharaoh). Abraham, out of fear for his own life in Gerar, had instructed Sarah to pose as his sister, leading Abimelech, the Philistine king, to take Sarah into his household, intending to make her his wife. Before Abimelech could touch her, God intervened in a dream, warning him of the gravity of taking a married woman and affirming Sarah's blamelessness. Abimelech, revealed as a righteous man who had acted unknowingly, then returned Sarah to Abraham, chastised Abraham for his deception, and questioned why Abraham had brought such a great sin upon his kingdom. In addition to returning Sarah, Abimelech gave Abraham flocks, herds, and male and female servants. Verse 16 specifically addresses Sarah directly, outlining Abimelech's specific action to publicly restore her compromised honor in the eyes of everyone associated with his court and the wider community, underscoring the severe social implications of the false accusation.

Genesis 20 16 Word analysis

• And to Sarah he said: This direct address to Sarah is significant. Despite the monetary gift being given to Abraham, the words of vindication are spoken personally to Sarah, emphasizing her individual honor and distress.
• "Behold, I have given your brother": Abimelech acknowledges Abraham's deception—calling him "your brother"—but respects Abraham's status as the family head by giving the gift through him. The phrasing hints at the previous lie while correcting the outcome.
• "a thousand pieces of silver" (אֶלֶף כֶּסֶף, eleph keseph): This denotes a substantial amount of wealth. Keseph refers generally to silver or money. It signifies a lavish payment, indicating not only compensation but also the gravity of the potential transgression and the king's sincere desire to rectify the situation publicly and generously. It wasn't merely payment for inconvenience, but a restitution to re-establish integrity.
• "It is to cover your eyes" (כְּסוּת עֵינַיִם, kesut eynayim): This is an idiomatic expression and a crucial interpretive point. It literally translates to "a covering for the eyes." Most prominently understood by scholars to mean a "covering of shame," i.e., an appeasement or atonement for dishonor, enabling her to "look anyone in the eye" again without shame. It's not a literal veil, but rather a public act that clears her reputation so that no one might "look upon" her with suspicion or imply impurity.
• "for all who are with you": This indicates that the vindication is not private. It includes her immediate household, servants, and companions, acknowledging that her perceived status would affect those associated with her.
• "and before all": This further extends the scope of the declaration, encompassing the wider public of Gerar and beyond. Abimelech ensured that her reputation was unequivocally cleared in the presence of all witnesses, leaving no room for whispers or doubt.
• "you are vindicated" (וְנֹכַחַת, v'nokachat): This is a key verb from the Hithpael form of the root יָכַח (yakach), meaning "to be righted," "to be justified," "to be reproved," or "to prove oneself right." Here, it signifies that Sarah's blamelessness has been publicly confirmed and declared, removing any false accusations or perceived guilt. She stands publicly acquitted.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to cover your eyes...": This phrase connects the generous monetary gift directly to the restoration of Sarah's honor. The silver isn't a bribe, but a substantial public acknowledgment and restitution for potential harm to her reputation. The public display of wealth signifies the sincerity and authority behind the king's declaration.
• "...for all who are with you, and before all, you are vindicated.": This grouping powerfully states the universality and finality of Sarah's exoneration. The twin phrases "for all who are with you" and "before all" underscore the public nature and complete reach of Abimelech's declaration. The outcome, "you are vindicated," confirms that her honor has been definitively restored, wiping away any potential shame caused by the previous events.

Genesis 20 16 Bonus section

The nature of "covering" (כְּסוּת, kesut) in this verse has often led to discussions contrasting it with literal veils in other parts of scripture (e.g., Gen 24:65 for Rebekah or 1 Cor 11:5-6 concerning head coverings). However, scholarly consensus points away from a physical veil here, as such a gesture by a third party, given the sum, would be highly unusual. Instead, the "covering" points to the eradication of any taint on her reputation, a removal of the cause for public scrutiny or shame. It is a comprehensive reputational "shield." This act of public vindication is particularly notable when contrasted with Pharaoh's reaction in Genesis 12, who merely sent Abraham and Sarah away after the first deception, without such a comprehensive effort to restore Sarah's honor publicly. Abimelech's deeper sense of justice, potentially influenced by God's direct intervention, highlights his spiritual sensitivity and character in responding righteously. This incident also sets a pattern, seen elsewhere in Scripture, of God acting directly in the affairs of gentile rulers to protect His people and uphold justice, even before the formal establishment of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 20 16 Commentary

Genesis 20:16 concludes Abimelech's restitution to Sarah, initiated due to Abraham's deceptive actions. This verse highlights several profound themes. First, Abimelech's character stands in stark contrast to Abraham's fearful and dishonest behavior. A pagan king demonstrates more integrity and discernment in seeking to protect Sarah's honor than the patriarch Abraham, who was meant to embody faith. Abimelech, upon God's clear revelation, immediately acts with profound respect for God's divine decree and moral law. Second, the "thousand pieces of silver" serve as much more than just monetary compensation; it is a public testament to Sarah's purity and integrity. The phrase "to cover your eyes" powerfully conveys that no one should gaze upon her with suspicion or question her chastity. The silver functions as a visual, tangible, and highly public assurance of her unblemished honor, an undeniable act of restitution in the sight of her household and all people. Finally, Abimelech's declaration, "you are vindicated," provides official and public clearance of Sarah's name, erasing any potential shame. This moment underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, protecting them even in their failures and using unexpected instruments (like a Gentile king) to uphold justice and honor. It demonstrates that God's plan is not thwarted by human sin, but rather, His sovereign hand ensures the fulfillment of His promises and the preservation of His chosen, albeit fallible, instruments.