Devine Scripture

Genesis 20:14

What does Genesis 20:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 20:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 20:14 means

In a display of remarkable integrity and generosity, Abimelech not only returns Sarah to Abraham but also bestows upon him a significant array of gifts: sheep, oxen, male servants, and female servants. This act goes beyond mere restitution; it serves as a form of compensation for the potential harm and distress caused by the situation, even though Abimelech was an unwitting participant in Abraham's deception. This gesture highlights Abimelech's righteous character and his desire to make amends.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and men-servants and women-servants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and men-servants and women-servants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Abimelech gave to Abraham sheep and oxen and men-servants and women-servants, and gave him back his wife Sarah.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abimelech taketh sheep and oxen, and servants and handmaids, and giveth to Abraham, and sendeth back to him Sarah his wife;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and servants and handmaids, and gave to Abraham: and restored to him Sara his wife,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and bondmen and bondwomen, and gave [them] to Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of Abimelech's resolution to the crisis, coming immediately after Abraham's full explanation of his deception in verses 11-13. Abimelech's generous actions here, returning Sarah and bestowing gifts, demonstrate his rectitude and willingness to make things right. This act of restitution sets the stage for his further words to Sarah and the eventual healing of his household.

v.13and it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me: at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

v.14This passage

v.15And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 20:7

    Now therefore restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

  • Genesis 12:16

    And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels.

  • Genesis 12:19

    why saidst thou, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

  • Genesis 20:2

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

  • Genesis 20:11

    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.

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