Genesis 20:3 kjv

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.

Genesis 20:3 nkjv

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."

Genesis 20:3 niv

But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman."

Genesis 20:3 esv

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."

Genesis 20:3 nlt

But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, "You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!"

Genesis 20 verses

Genesis 20 3 Meaning

Genesis 20:3 reveals God's direct and urgent intervention in Abimelech's life through a dream. It shows God actively protecting Sarah, Abraham's wife, from being defiled, thereby safeguarding His covenant promises linked to Abraham's lineage. God declares to Abimelech that he is as good as dead because he has taken a woman who is already married, underscoring the severe consequences of violating marital sanctity, even if done in ignorance. This divine warning highlights God's justice, holiness, and His sovereign control over even pagan rulers to fulfill His redemptive plan.

Genesis 20 3 Context

Genesis chapter 20 takes place after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). Abraham journeys from Mamre towards the Negeb, settling between Kadesh and Shur, then dwelling in Gerar. This verse marks God's swift intervention as Abraham, once again, out of fear for his life, presents his wife Sarah as his sister. This is the second such deception recorded (first in Gen 12:10-20 with Pharaoh), highlighting Abraham's repeated failure of faith and God's consistent faithfulness in protecting His covenant people despite their flaws. Abimelech, a pagan king, acts according to common ancient Near Eastern customs regarding hospitality and taking women, but God's direct revelation challenges and corrects this, setting divine standards above cultural norms and pagan practices.

Genesis 20 3 Word analysis

• But (אַךְ - 'ach): Introduces a sharp contrast, emphasizing God's immediate and active response against Abraham's fearful and deceptive silence.
• God (אֱלֹהִים - 'Elohim): The plural noun, majestic form, used here, indicating God's supreme power, authority, and transcendent nature. It denotes God as the universal Creator and Sovereign over all, including pagan kings.
• came (וַיָּבֹא֙ - vayyā·vo): Hebrew waw-consecutive, highlighting a swift, direct, and deliberate action. God Himself intervened personally.
• to Abimelech: Directly to a pagan king, showing God's sovereign reach and His capacity to communicate outside the covenant line for His purposes.
• in a dream: (בַּחֲלֹ֤ום - bachalōm): A common mode of divine revelation in the patriarchal period (Gen 28:12; 31:10, 24; 37:5, 9), often involving visions and symbolic imagery. It indicates a supernatural, clear communication directly from God.
• by night: (הַלַּיְלָה֙ - hallayelāh): The usual time for dreams, adding to the authenticity and weight of the divine communication. Night is a time of vulnerability and openness to such revelation.
• and said to him: (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו - wayyō·mer 'ēlāyw): Emphasizes God's declarative, authoritative speech. What follows is a divine decree.
• Behold: (הִנֵּ֤ה - hinneh): An interjection, an attention-getting particle used to draw immediate focus to the severe declaration that follows. It intensifies the warning.
• you are a dead man: (מֵת֙ אַתָּ֔ה - mēth 'attāh): Literally, "dying, you [are]," or "surely you will die." It is a dire proclamation of being condemned to death. While Abimelech hasn't died yet, God pronounces him as being under a sentence of death, indicating the certainty and gravity of the impending judgment. It signifies being doomed if he proceeds or if he had violated Sarah.
• because of: (עַל־דְּבַ֣ר - 'al-d'var): Clearly indicates a direct causal relationship. His condemnation is directly due to the act.
• the woman whom you have taken: Specific, concrete accusation. It's not a general threat but pinpointed to a definite act, though Abimelech was unaware of her marital status.
• for she is a married woman: (בַּעֲלַת־בָּ֑עַל - ba‘alath-ba‘al): Literally "possessor of a husband" or "mistress of a master/husband." This emphasizes her legal, covenantal, and sacred status, indicating an unbreakable bond. Taking her implies a grievous violation against her husband, God, and the institution of marriage itself.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night: This phrase powerfully demonstrates God's initiative and personal involvement in human affairs, even reaching out to a foreign king. It shows His omnipresence and omnipotence. His communication method, "in a dream by night," reveals His sovereignty over creation and His chosen means of revelation for different individuals and periods. This implies God is not confined to the land of Israel or the covenant people alone.
• Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken: This is a direct, urgent, and life-or-death pronouncement. The immediacy ("Behold") and the strong condemnation ("dead man") underscore the severe divine wrath against potential sin, particularly sexual sin which violates sacred boundaries. The precise identification of the "woman whom you have taken" makes the warning concrete and irrefutable.
• for she is a married woman: This concluding phrase provides the complete justification for the preceding death sentence. It reveals the sanctity of the marital bond in God's eyes and the extreme offense that taking a married woman would constitute. It underscores that while Abraham acted poorly, Sarah was under divine protection due to her sacred marital status, and God Himself was guarding the purity of the messianic line. This highlights the foundational nature of marriage in God's divine order and His commitment to its purity.

Genesis 20 3 Bonus section

This divine intervention against Abimelech, a Gentile, shows God's moral governance extends beyond His covenant people. It anticipates a later instance in the narrative (Gen 26) where Abimelech's successor (also named Abimelech, likely a dynastic title) will again confront a similar deception by Isaac concerning Rebekah. God's pre-emptive strike in Genesis 20 displays His grace and mercy in warning Abimelech before he commits the full sin, allowing him the opportunity for repentance and correction. This reveals God's desire to deter sin and offer a path for righteousness, even to those outside the immediate covenant community, foreshadowing a broader redemption for all nations (Gal 3:8). The passage implicitly contrasts Abimelech's later "integrity of heart" (Gen 20:5) with Abraham's repeated failure, highlighting that even those not privy to special revelation can possess moral virtue, yet they still require divine intervention to prevent actions that offend God's ultimate holy standards.

Genesis 20 3 Commentary

Genesis 20:3 is a striking revelation of God's character and priorities. It powerfully asserts God's sovereignty over all creation, even extending His direct intervention to a pagan king, Abimelech. God does not wait for Abimelech to discover the truth; He proactively prevents a severe sin (adultery and potential defilement of Sarah) from occurring, thus safeguarding His covenant promises tied to Abraham's offspring. The phrase "you are a dead man" (מֵת אַתָּה) is a profound legal and spiritual declaration of being doomed to die, even if the act was not yet consummated. It emphasizes that even an action initiated in ignorance, if it would lead to a grave transgression against divine law (here, marital fidelity), still incurs severe divine displeasure. God’s knowledge transcends human ignorance; He judges based on the reality of the situation and the sacredness of His commands. This verse underscores the inviolable nature of marriage in God's eyes, portraying adultery not merely as a social transgression but a life-threatening affront to God Himself. It reinforces God's active protection of His people and the lineage through which the Messiah would come, despite their own moral failings, reminding us of His steadfast faithfulness (Gen 12:17).This narrative example serves as a potent warning against casual attitudes towards sexual purity and illustrates God's commitment to uphold His standards, regardless of the cultural norms or human intentions.