Devine Scripture

Genesis 20:1

What does Genesis 20:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 20:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 20:1 means

Abraham leaves the area near the Dead Sea after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, moving south into the Negev desert. He settles for a time between Kadesh and Shur, eventually arriving and staying as a temporary resident in Gerar. This movement indicates Abraham's nomadic lifestyle, continually journeying as God directed him, even after significant events like the judgment on the cities of the plain. His sojourning in Gerar sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, highlighting his vulnerability and dependence on God in foreign lands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the land of the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the land of the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abraham went on his way from there to the land of the South, and was living between Kadesh and Shur, in Gerar.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham journeyeth from thence toward the land of the south, and dwelleth between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourneth in Gerar;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham departed thence towards the south country, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned at Gerar.

Context

This verse establishes Abraham's new location after the dramatic judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, recounted in the previous chapter. His journey to Gerar introduces a new setting and new characters, particularly Abimelech, the king. It directly precedes the critical error Abraham makes in presenting Sarah as his sister, setting the stage for God's intervention and the ensuing confrontation.

v.1This passage

v.2And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 32:51

    because ye trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

  • Numbers 13:26

    And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.

  • 1 Samuel 15:7

    And Saul smote the Amalekites, from Havilah as thou goest to Shur, that is before Egypt.

  • Genesis 18:1

    And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

  • 2 Chronicles 14:13

    And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Jehovah, and before his host; and they carried away very much booty.

  • Deuteronomy 1:19

    And we journeyed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which ye saw, by the way to the hill-country of the Amorites, as Jehovah our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.

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