Genesis 20:5
What does Genesis 20:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 20:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 20:5 means
Abimelech continues his defense by reiterating Abraham's and Sarah's deception, pointing out that both had claimed to be siblings. He asserts that his actions were performed with a clear conscience and clean hands, meaning he acted in good faith, believing Sarah to be Abraham's unmarried sister. This verse further establishes Abimelech's innocence in the matter, as he genuinely believed he was not committing adultery or any offense, based on the information provided to him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Said he not himself unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Said he not himself unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Did he not say to me himself, She is my sister? and she herself said, He is my brother: with an upright heart and clean hands have I done this.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862hath not he himself said to me, She <FI>is<Fi> my sister! and she, even she herself, said, He <FI>is<Fi> my brother; in the integrity of my heart, and in the innocency of my hands, I have done this.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Did not he say to me: She is my sister: and she say, He is my brother? in the simplicity of my heart, and cleanness of my hands have I done this.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Did he not say to me, She is my sister? and she, even she said, He is my brother. In the integrity of my heart and in the innocency of my hands have I done this.
Context
Coming immediately after Abimelech's initial plea in verse 4, this verse elaborates on his defense. He specifically recalls the deceptive statements from Abraham and Sarah. It further solidifies Abimelech's righteous stance and deepens the sense of injustice he feels, setting a clear contrast with Abraham's deceit and preparing for God's affirmation of Abimelech's integrity.
v.4Now Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay even a righteous nation?
v.5This passage
v.6And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 7:8
Jehovah ministereth judgment to the peoples: Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me.
- 1 Kings 9:4
And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and mine ordinances;
- 2 Kings 20:3
Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
- Psalms 25:21
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for thee.
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