Genesis 20:9
What does Genesis 20:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 20:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 20:9 means
Abimelech confronts Abraham, expressing his deep outrage and demanding an explanation for bringing such a great sin upon him and his kingdom. He challenges Abraham, questioning what offense Abimelech had committed against him to provoke such deceit. Abimelech highlights the impropriety of Abraham's actions, emphasizing the severe spiritual and moral danger Abraham's lie had imposed on an innocent party. This confrontation reveals Abimelech's hurt, confusion, and righteous indignation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Abimelech sent for Abraham, and said, What have you done to us? what wrong have I done you that you have put on me and on my kingdom so great a sin? You have done to me things which are not to be done.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Abimelech calleth for Abraham, and saith to him, `What hast thou done to us? and what have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought upon me, and upon my kingdom, a great sin? works which are not done thou hast done with me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Abimelech called also for Abraham, and said to him: What hast thou done to us? what have we offended thee in, that thou hast brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done to us what thou oughtest not to do.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What hast thou done to us? And in what have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me, and on my kingdom, a great sin? Thou hast done to me deeds that ought not to be done.
Context
After telling his servants about God's warning in verse 8, Abimelech directly confronts Abraham. This verse marks the shift from divine intervention to human accountability. Abimelech's strong questions demand an explanation from Abraham, setting the stage for Abraham's reluctant justification of his actions in the following verses and the subsequent resolution of the conflict.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
- Joshua 7:25
And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? Jehovah shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire, and stoned them with stones.
- 2 Samuel 12:10
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
- Genesis 26:10
And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might easily have lain with thy wife, and thou wouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
- Romans 2:11
for there is no respect of persons with God.
- Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 20
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 20.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Body Image
Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, and these scriptures help us to see ourselves through His eyes.
Topic
Bible Verses About God’s Calling
Explore what it means to be called by God, whether to salvation, service, or a particular purpose in life.
Topic
Bible Verses About Community
The Bible emphasizes the importance of community as a reflection of God's design for humanity and a source of strength and growth
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
When no one seems to see you — verses for the One who does.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Praying for Pregnancy
Verses for the long wait of trying to conceive.