Genesis 20:5 net — Did Abraham not say to me,‘She is my sister’? And she herself said,‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear co…

NET Bible

"Did Abraham not say to me,‘She is my sister’? And she herself said,‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!”"

— Genesis 20:5, NET Bible

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Genesis 20:5 in Other Translations

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Genesis 20 — Context

2

Abraham said about his wife Sarah,“She is my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her.

3

But God appeared to Abimelech in a dream at night and said to him,“You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is someone else’s wife.”

4

Now Abimelech had not gone near her. He said,“Lord, would you really slaughter an innocent nation?

5

Did Abraham not say to me,‘She is my sister’? And she herself said,‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!”

6

Then in the dream God replied to him,“Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch her.

7

But now give back the man’s wife. Indeed he is a prophet and he will pray for you; thus you will live. But if you don’t give her back, know that you will surely die along with all who belong to you.”

8

Early in the morning Abimelech summoned all his servants. When he told them about all these things, they were terrified.

Genesis 20:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 20:5 say?
Genesis 20:5 in the NET Bible reads: “Did Abraham not say to me,‘She is my sister’? And she herself said,‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!””
Where is Genesis 20:5 in the Bible?
Genesis 20:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 20, verse 5.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 20:5.
What translation should I read Genesis 20:5 in?
Genesis 20:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 20:5?
Genesis 20:5 reads (NET): “Did Abraham not say to me,‘She is my sister’? And she herself said,‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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