Genesis 20:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:13 mean?

Genesis 20:13 describes Abraham explaining to Abimelech why he and Sarah claimed to be siblings rather than husband and wife. Abraham says that when God caused him to wander from his father's house, he asked Sarah to show him kindness by saying he was her brother wherever they traveled.

In this verse, Abraham is speaking to King Abimelech after Abimelech discovers that Sarah is actually Abraham’s wife, not his sister. Abraham explains that this arrangement was made as a protective measure during their journeys, begun when God (H430, אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) led him away from his family home. The verse highlights Abraham’s concern for safety and the ongoing agreement between him and Sarah as they traveled through foreign lands.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:13

• "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim, H430): This word is often used for God in the Hebrew Bible and emphasizes God’s power and authority in directing Abraham’s journey.
• "Wander" (תָּעָה, ta‘ah, H8582): This word carries the sense of being caused to stray or move about without a fixed path, highlighting that Abraham’s journey was not fully under his own control.
• "Kindness" (חֶסֶד, chesed, H2617): This word means loyal love or steadfast kindness, showing that Abraham was asking Sarah for a significant act of loyalty and protection.
• "Brother" (אָח, ach, H251): Abraham asks Sarah to call him her brother, which was a partial truth (as she was his half-sister), but here it is used as a protective strategy.

Why Genesis 20:13 matters

• This verse clarifies that Abraham’s request for Sarah to call him her brother was a long-standing arrangement, not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
• The use of the word "wander" (ta‘ah) shows Abraham’s sense of being led by God into unknown and potentially dangerous situations, which shaped his cautious behavior.
• Genesis 20:13 connects to earlier and later stories where Abraham and Sarah repeat this claim, helping readers understand the background and reasoning behind their actions.