Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

GENESIS 20:8KJV
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Genesis 20:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:8 mean?

Genesis 20:8 describes how Abimelech, after learning troubling news in a dream, got up early, gathered his servants, and told them everything that had happened, which made all the men very afraid. The verse shows the urgency and seriousness with which Abimelech responded to what he had learned.

In this scene, Abimelech is the king of Gerar, and he has just discovered from God in a dream that he is in danger because he unknowingly took Abraham’s wife, Sarah. The verse highlights Abimelech’s immediate reaction—he rises early (not waiting or delaying), calls his servants together, and shares the details with them. The men’s strong fear (“sore afraid”) shows they understood the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences for everyone involved.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:8

  • "Early" (שָׁכַם, shakham): This word means to rise early, often with a sense of eagerness or urgency. Abimelech’s early rising emphasizes how seriously he took the warning.
  • "Sore" (מְאֹד, me’od): This word means "very" or "exceedingly." The fear of the men was not mild; it was intense, showing just how alarming the news was to them.
  • "Afraid" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to fear or be terrified. In this context, it points to a deep respect or dread of the consequences that might come from offending God.

Why Genesis 20:8 matters

  • Genesis 20:8 shows that Abimelech took God’s warning seriously and acted immediately, which sets him apart from others in Genesis who sometimes hesitated or ignored divine messages.
  • The verse highlights the collective responsibility and fear among Abimelech’s people, not just the king alone, suggesting that the whole community understood the seriousness of offending God.
  • This moment prepares the way for the conversation between Abimelech and Abraham, showing the king’s integrity and desire to resolve the situation openly and honestly.

Where else these words appear

“Abimelech” Hebrew H40 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
  • 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.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: