And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

GENESIS 20:12KJV
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Genesis 20:12 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:12 mean?

Genesis 20:12 records Abraham explaining to Abimelech that Sarah is indeed his sister, as she is the daughter of his father but not his mother, and later became his wife. Abraham is clarifying the nature of his relationship with Sarah after previously misleading Abimelech about her identity.

In this verse, Abraham is speaking to King Abimelech after Abimelech confronted him for saying Sarah was only his sister. Abraham’s explanation shows that Sarah is his half-sister, sharing the same father but not the same mother, which in their culture made marriage between them acceptable. This detail helps explain Abraham’s earlier statement and the complicated family relationships in the book of Genesis.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:12

  • The word for "sister" is אֲחוֹת (ʾachot), which means a female sibling. Abraham uses this word to justify his earlier claim about Sarah, showing he was not entirely lying but also not fully truthful.
  • The word for "daughter" is בַּת (bat), meaning a female child. Abraham says Sarah is the "daughter" of his father, which clarifies their family connection.
  • The word for "father" is אָב (av), and for "mother" is אֵם (em). The verse distinguishes between sharing a father and not a mother, which was significant for family lineage and marriage customs at the time.
  • The word for "wife" is אִשָּׁה (ishah), meaning a woman or wife. Abraham points out that Sarah, though his half-sister, became his wife, highlighting the dual nature of their relationship.

Why Genesis 20:12 matters

  • This verse clears up the confusion about Abraham’s earlier claim that Sarah was his sister, showing it was technically true but also misleading.
  • The explanation reveals the complexity of family structures in the patriarchal period and how marriage customs differed from modern expectations.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the broader story, where Abraham’s actions put Sarah and others at risk, and why Abimelech reacted so strongly to Abraham’s initial deception.

Where else these words appear

“indeed” Hebrew H546 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.