Genesis 20:6
What does Genesis 20:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 20:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 20:6 means
God affirms Abimelech's integrity, acknowledging that his actions were indeed done out of an honest heart and in ignorance of the truth about Sarah. More significantly, God reveals that He Himself was the one who prevented Abimelech from sinning against Him by not allowing him to touch Sarah. This divine intervention highlights God's protective sovereignty, preventing even well-intentioned individuals from committing grave sins that would have violated His covenant and promises concerning Abraham's lineage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God said to him in the dream, I see that you have done this with an upright heart, and I have kept you from sinning against me: for this reason I did not let you come near her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And God saith unto him in the dream, `Yea, I--I have known that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I withhold thee, even I, from sinning against Me, therefore I have not suffered thee to come against her;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And God said to him: And I know that thou didst it with a sincere heart: and therefore I withheld thee from sinning against me, and I suffered thee not to touch her.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890AndGod said to him in a dream, I also knew that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart, and I, too, have withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore have I not suffered thee to touch her.
Context
This verse is God's direct response to Abimelech's defense in verses 4 and 5, confirming his innocence. It reveals God's active hand in preventing Abimelech from sinning against Him. This pivotal declaration of divine intervention sets the stage for God's command to Abimelech in the next verse, instructing him on how to rectify the situation and avoid judgment.
v.5Said 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.
v.6This passage
v.7Now 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 20:18
For Jehovah had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11
And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
- 1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- Genesis 35:5
And they journeyed: and a terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
- Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
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