Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

GENESIS 20:5KJV
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Genesis 20:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:5 mean?

Genesis 20:5 records Abimelech explaining to God that he acted innocently when he took Sarah, believing her to be Abraham’s sister because both Abraham and Sarah said so. Abimelech insists that he did this with a clear conscience and clean hands, not knowing the true situation.

In this verse, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, is speaking to God in a dream after taking Sarah into his household. He defends himself by pointing out that he was misled by Abraham and Sarah’s words and that he did not intend any wrongdoing. The verse highlights Abimelech’s honesty and his lack of knowledge about Sarah’s true relationship to Abraham.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:5

  • תֹּם (tom, "integrity"): This word means wholeness or innocence of intention. Abimelech is stressing that his motives were pure and he did not knowingly commit a wrong.
  • לֵבָב (levav, "heart"): Often understood as the center of thought and will in Hebrew, not just emotion. Abimelech is saying his decision came from a place of sincerity.
  • נִקְיֹן (niqayon, "innocency"): This word means cleanliness or blamelessness. By mentioning the "innocency of my hands," Abimelech is emphasizing he is free from guilt in his actions.

Why Genesis 20:5 matters

  • Genesis 20:5 clarifies that Abimelech did not knowingly sin, which is important for understanding God’s later response and the unfolding story.
  • The verse shows the seriousness of truthfulness and the consequences of misleading others, even unintentionally.
  • It connects to the broader theme in Genesis of God’s protection over Sarah and the fulfillment of His promises, even when human actions complicate the situation.

Where else these words appear

“innocency” Hebrew H5356 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
  • Psalms 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
  • Hosea 8:5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

“integrity” Hebrew H8537 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 20:6 And 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.
  • Psalms 7:8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
  • Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

“even” Hebrew H1571 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • 1 Samuel 12:16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
  • Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

“She” Hebrew H1931 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • 1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.