Genesis – Chapter 20

Old Testament18 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 20 of Genesis begins: "Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara." The chapter centers on Abimelech, Abraham and Sarah. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and prayer. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara.

2And he said of Sara his wife: She is my sister. So Abimelech the king of Gerara sent, and took her.

3And God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and he said to him: Lo thou shalt die for the woman that thou hast taken: for she hath a husband.

4Now Abimelech had not touched her, and he said: Lord, wilt thou slay a nation that is ignorant and just?

5Did not he say to me: She is my sister: and she say, He is my brother? in the simplicity of my heart, and cleanness of my hands have I done this.

6And God said to him: And I know that thou didst it with a sincere heart: and therefore I withheld thee from sinning against me, and I suffered thee not to touch her.

7Now therefore restore the man his wife, for he is a prophet: and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: but if thou wilt not restore her, know that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine.

8And Abimelech forthwith rising up in the night, called all his servants: and spoke all these words in their hearing, and all the men were exceedingly afraid.

9And Abimelech called also for Abraham, and said to him: What hast thou done to us? what have we offended thee in, that thou hast brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done to us what thou oughtest not to do.

10And again he expostulated with him, and said: What sawest thou, that thou hast done this?

11Abraham answered: I thought with myself, saying: Perhaps there is not the fear of God in this place: and they will kill me for the sake of my wife:

12Howbeit, otherwise also she is truly my sister, the daughter of my father, and not the daughter of my mother, and I took her to wife.

13And after God brought me out of my father's house, I said to her: Thou shalt do me this kindness: In every place, to which we shall come, thou shalt say that I am thy brother.

14And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and servants and handmaids, and gave to Abraham: and restored to him Sara his wife,

15And said: The land is before you, dwell wheresoever it shall please thee.

16And to Sara he said: Behold I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver, this shall serve thee for a covering of thy eyes to all that are with thee, and whithersoever thou shalt go: and remember thou wast taken.

17And when Abraham prayed, God healed Abimelech and his wife, and his handmaids, and they bore children:

18For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech, on account of Sara, Abraham's wife.

Important Verses in Genesis 20

Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara.

Genesis 20:1

And God said to him: And I know that thou didst it with a sincere heart: and therefore I withheld thee from sinning against me, and I suffered thee not to touch her.

Genesis 20:6

And after God brought me out of my father's house, I said to her: Thou shalt do me this kindness: In every place, to which we shall come, thou shalt say that I am thy brother.

Genesis 20:13

For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech, on account of Sara, Abraham's wife.

Genesis 20:18

Historical Context

Genesis belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs. Chapter 20 of 50 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Abimelech, Abraham and Sarah appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara." The chapter ends with: "For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech, on account of Sara, Abraham's wife. " Read against its original backdrop, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Genesis 20 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2215).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Abimelech8 mentionsAbraham6 mentionsSarah4 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 20 recounts Abraham's deception of Abimelech regarding Sarah, which Catholic moral theology addresses honestly. The Catechism teaches that lying is intrinsically evil, even when motivated by fear (CIC 2482-2486). Abraham's half-truth—Sarah was indeed his half-sister—does not excuse the deception. The saints are not presented as perfect but as sinners who grew in holiness through God's grace.

Yet this chapter also reveals God's providential protection of His plan. Despite Abraham's failure, God intervenes to preserve Sarah and the promise of Isaac. The Catechism teaches that God's providence guides all things toward their appointed end, even working through human weakness (CIC 302-314). Abimelech's integrity, recognized by God Himself, shows that moral goodness exists outside the chosen people.

Abraham's role as intercessor—praying for Abimelech's household—continues the theme of his priestly function. The healing that follows his prayer demonstrates the power of intercession. This chapter teaches us that God's faithfulness is greater than our failures, and that He can bring good even from our sins. It also reminds us that moral integrity is not limited to believers—God recognizes and honors righteousness wherever it is found.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 20 about?

Genesis 20 contains 18 verses. It opens with "Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara." and closes with "For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech, on account of Sara, Abraham's wife. ". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Abraham removed from thence to the south country, and dwelt between Cades and Sur, and sojourned in Gerara." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 20?

This chapter mentions Abimelech, Abraham, Sarah.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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