And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

GENESIS 20:2KJV
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Genesis 20:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:2 mean?

Genesis 20:2 tells how Abraham, while staying in Gerar, said that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. As a result, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her into his household.

In this verse, Abraham is speaking about Sarah, his wife, to the people of Gerar. The situation is tense because Abraham fears for his safety, so he claims Sarah is his sister. This leads Abimelech, the local king, to take Sarah, likely intending to add her to his harem, not knowing she is married to Abraham.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:2

  • אִשָּׁה (ishah, "wife"): This word makes it clear that Sarah is Abraham’s wife, highlighting the seriousness of Abraham’s claim that she is only his sister.
  • אֲחוֹתִי (achoti, "sister"): Abraham uses this word to describe Sarah, which is technically true in a sense (she is his half-sister, as explained elsewhere), but here it is used to hide their marriage.
  • לָקַח (laqach, "took"): This word often means to take or seize, and in this context, it shows that Abimelech actively brought Sarah into his household, not just as a guest but with the intention of making her part of his family.

Why Genesis 20:2 matters

  • This verse sets up a conflict that will be resolved later in the chapter, showing the potential consequences of Abraham’s fear-driven decision.
  • It highlights a recurring theme in Genesis where Abraham’s actions put Sarah at risk, echoing a similar event in Egypt (Genesis 12).
  • The verse also introduces Abimelech, a foreign king, and shows how misunderstandings about relationships can have serious implications in ancient societies.

Where else these words appear

“Gerar” Hebrew H1642 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 26:6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
  • Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.

“Sarah” Hebrew H8283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

“of” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 19:20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
  • 1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

“Abimelech” Hebrew H40 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
  • Judges 9:34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.