Genesis 20:8 kjv

Therefore 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.

Genesis 20:8 nkjv

So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.

Genesis 20:8 niv

Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.

Genesis 20:8 esv

So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid.

Genesis 20:8 nlt

Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified.

Genesis 20 verses

Genesis 20 8 Meaning

Genesis 20:8 describes Abimelech's immediate and decisive response to God's night-time revelation. He rose very early in the morning, demonstrating urgency and seriousness. He then convened his entire retinue of servants and officials, disclosing to them the divine warning he had received regarding Abraham, the sanctity of Sarah, and the impending judgment upon his household. The consequence of this revelation was a profound and widespread fear among the men who heard it, signifying their apprehension of the powerful and life-threatening divine intervention.

Genesis 20 8 Context

Genesis chapter 20 narrates Abraham’s journey southward from Mamre to Gerar, where he once again portrays his wife, Sarah, as his sister due to fear for his life, repeating a deception first seen in Genesis 12. Abimelech, the King of Gerar, takes Sarah into his household, presumably intending to make her his wife. However, God directly intervenes in a dream, warning Abimelech that he would die if he did not return Sarah, emphasizing her marriage to Abraham and her untouched status. God reveals Abimelech’s integrity, which prevented the sin from being committed. Genesis 20:8 shows Abimelech's immediate response to this terrifying divine encounter. He doesn't hesitate or conceal the warning. His urgency reflects the seriousness of God's revelation and the potential consequences. His gathering of all his servants signifies a king's public address to his court and household, making transparent the divine threat and ensuring a collective understanding of the gravity of the situation, thus promoting a unified and swift response in the subsequent verses. This episode highlights God’s sovereign protection of His covenant, even amidst human failings and a pagan king's unwitting error. The king's righteous response serves as a contrast to Abraham's initial fear and deceit.

Genesis 20 8 Word analysis

• So Abimelech: Indicates a direct consequence of the divine encounter in the previous verse. This King, unlike others who resisted divine warnings, is poised to respond proactively.
• rose early in the morning: Hebrew: va-yashkim Abimelech (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אֲבִימֶלֶךְ). The verb shakam (שָׁכַם) literally means "to rise early," but it carries a connotation of eagerness, diligence, and serious purpose. Actions taken "early in the morning" in biblical narratives often signify importance, urgency, and resolute intent, reflecting an earnest and unhesitant commitment (e.g., Abraham in Gen 22:3 for the sacrifice). Abimelech is not sluggish or dismissive of God's word.
• called all his servants: Hebrew: vayikra lechol-avadav (וַיִּקְרָא לְכָל-עֲבָדָיו). "Servants" (avadim) here refers not merely to slaves but encompasses his entire royal household, officials, and key personnel. This indicates a public and official address. He involved his court, suggesting the weight of the matter affected his whole realm.
• and told them all these things: Hebrew: vayedaber et-kol-hadevarim ha'eleh b'ozneihim (וַיְדַבֵּר אֶת-כָּל-הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּאָזְנֵיהֶם). "These things" refers to the entire divine communication: Abraham’s prophetic status, Sarah’s marriage, the impending death, and the means to avert it. Abimelech did not hold back the full details of the threatening dream. The phrase "in their ears" implies a direct, clear, and unmistakable disclosure.
• and the men were very much afraid: Hebrew: vayir'u ha'anashim me'od (וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים מְאֹד). The verb yare' (יָרֵא) means "to fear," "be afraid," but also "to revere" or "hold in awe." This "fear" is not just terror but also implies a healthy apprehension of the divine, a recognition of God's power and ability to execute judgment. The adverb me'od (מְאֹד), "very much" or "greatly," intensifies this reaction. It signifies a pervasive and deep-seated fear among all present, demonstrating the impact of hearing about direct divine intervention and warning. This fear served a salvific purpose, leading them to obey and avert destruction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• So Abimelech rose early in the morning: This phrase powerfully conveys Abimelech's proactive and earnest nature. It underscores that God's warning had an immediate and profound impact on him, prompting swift action without delay. This swift obedience contrasts Abraham's earlier hesitations.
• called all his servants, and told them all these things: This group of words shows Abimelech's leadership and transparency. He involved his entire leadership and household, making the potentially devastating news a communal matter. This also diffused the personal burden of the secret, aligning his entire administration with the necessity of swift compliance. This is critical for preventing corporate sin and judgment.
• and the men were very much afraid: This final phrase captures the desired outcome of God's intervention through the king’s report. The overwhelming fear (me'od) indicates the seriousness with which God's word was received. This fear, arising from a dread of divine wrath, serves as a catalyst for collective change and ensures the subsequent actions are taken with genuine commitment to avert danger. It hints at a healthy, reverential fear of the one true God, impacting even a pagan populace.

Genesis 20 8 Bonus section

• Divine Revelation in Pagan Contexts: This verse is a prime example of God revealing Himself and His will directly to a pagan king (Abimelech), not only to protect His covenant people (Abraham and Sarah) but also to demonstrate His universal sovereignty. It shows that God can use unexpected channels to accomplish His purposes and that His warnings can penetrate hearts beyond the immediate covenant community.
• Contrasting Responses to God's Word: Abimelech’s immediate and earnest response stands as a stark contrast to how individuals sometimes procrastinate or ignore God’s clear directives in their own lives. His public declaration of a private revelation emphasizes accountability and integrity in leadership.
• The Nature of Fear: The "fear" expressed by Abimelech's men is multifaceted. While initially a natural reaction to a grave threat (death, barrenness), it possesses the potential to transition into a reverential awe and healthy respect for God’s power and holiness, much like the "fear of the Lord" foundational to biblical wisdom (Prov 1:7). It served to unify them in obedience.

Genesis 20 8 Commentary

Genesis 20:8 serves as a pivotal moment, showcasing a pagan king's exceptional response to divine revelation, which contrasts sharply with Abraham’s moral failing. Abimelech's "rising early" isn't a trivial detail; it’s an ancient symbol of promptness, seriousness, and earnest intent when facing matters of great significance or urgency. It demonstrates his unhesitating reverence for the divine word received in his dream. By immediately gathering "all his servants"—his entire royal administration and household—Abimelech established transparent communication and shared the gravity of the potential judgment. This collective revelation was crucial; it meant the danger and the path to redemption were understood by all relevant parties, ensuring that the king’s subsequent actions (like returning Sarah) would be supported and understood throughout his realm. The intense "fear" (yare' combined with me'od) among the men was a salutary reaction—it was not mere panic, but a profound reverence for the God who spoke with such authority and warning, coupled with a healthy dread of divine consequence. This fear, often linked to the "fear of the Lord" in scripture, prepares hearts for obedience and avoids destruction, distinguishing them from those who harden their hearts against God's warnings. The scene exemplifies God’s sovereignty even over foreign rulers, orchestrating circumstances to protect His covenant people and His divine plan, despite human error. It also offers a model of leadership: addressing threats promptly, transparently, and involving relevant stakeholders, fostering a communal understanding of shared vulnerability and responsibility.