Devine Scripture

Genesis 20:11

What does Genesis 20:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 20:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 20:11 means

Abraham offers his primary reason for the deception: the fear that the people of Gerar lacked the fear of God and would kill him to take Sarah. He assumed that in a place without divine reverence, human life and marital bonds would not be respected. This explanation reveals Abraham's human fear and lack of faith in God's protection, despite all the promises God had made to him. His rationale, though understandable from a human perspective, shows his failure to trust God fully.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abraham said, Because it seemed to me that there was no fear of God in this place, and that they might put me to death because of my wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham saith, `Because I said, `Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they have slain me for the sake of my wife;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Abraham answered: I thought with myself, saying: Perhaps there is not the fear of God in this place: and they will kill me for the sake of my wife:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham said, Because I said, Surely the fear ofGod is not in this place, and they will kill me for my wife's sake.

Context

This verse is Abraham's direct response to Abimelech's probing question in verse 10. It provides the initial justification for his deceit, highlighting his fear as the driving motive. This explanation sets the stage for his further, partial truth about Sarah's relation to him, which he offers to Abimelech in the next verse, continuing to explain his actions.

v.10And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

v.11This passage

v.12And moreover she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife:

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 36:1

    The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes.

  • Genesis 22:12

    And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.

  • Genesis 42:18

    And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

  • Nehemiah 5:15

    But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

  • Job 1:1

    There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil.

  • Proverbs 1:7

    The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

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