Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

GENESIS 20:9KJV
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Genesis 20:9 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:9 mean?

Genesis 20:9 shows Abimelech confronting Abraham, asking why Abraham has wronged him and brought guilt upon his kingdom by misleading him. Abimelech expresses that Abraham’s actions have caused trouble and were things that should never have been done.

In this verse, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, calls Abraham before him after discovering that Abraham had not told the truth about Sarah being his wife. Abimelech’s questions highlight his shock and frustration, as he feels Abraham’s deception has put him and his people at risk of committing a serious wrongdoing. The verse captures a tense moment where a foreign king rebukes Abraham for behavior that endangered innocent people.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:9

  • "Offended" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’): This word means to sin or miss the mark. Abimelech uses it to ask if he had done anything wrong to deserve such treatment, showing he feels unjustly treated.
  • "Sin" (חֲטָאָה, ḥăṭā’āh): This word refers to a serious moral failure. Abimelech calls the potential wrongdoing a "great sin," emphasizing how serious he considers the consequences of Abraham’s actions.
  • "Deeds" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma‘ăseh): This word means actions or works. Abimelech accuses Abraham of doing things that should not be done, stressing the inappropriateness of Abraham’s behavior.

Why Genesis 20:9 matters

  • This verse clears up that Abimelech saw himself as innocent and wronged, not as an enemy or villain; he is portrayed as someone who values moral conduct.
  • The confrontation highlights that Abraham’s actions had real consequences for others, not just himself, showing the ripple effect of personal decisions.
  • Genesis 20:9 connects to the broader story by showing that even people outside Abraham’s family recognized right and wrong, and sometimes acted more uprightly than Abraham himself.

Where else these words appear

“sin” Hebrew H2401 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 32:21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
  • Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
  • Psalms 32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

“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.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;