Genesis 20:14-16
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This verse isn't just about Abimelech giving Abraham gifts; it's a powerful act of restitution. By giving Abraham livestock, servants, and restoring Sarah, Abimelech acknowledges the wrong done and seeks to make amends, not just materially, but by publicly vindicating Sarah's honor.
Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Abimelech, alerted by God in a dream, discovers Sarah is Abraham's wife, he confronts Abraham about the deception. Abimelech then makes amends by giving Abraham substantial gifts of livestock and servants and, most importantly, returns Sarah to him.
Why would a king shower Abraham with gifts after his wife was returned? It wasn't just a thank-you note; it was a profound statement.
In Genesis 20:14, Abimelech doesn't just return Sarah; he gives Abraham sheep, oxen, male and female servants. This wasn't a bribe, but a generous act of acknowledgment and restitution.
Restoring Honor
Abraham is called a 'prophet' here – a title that carries immense weight. What does this reveal about his role and God's protection?
God's direct intervention in Abimelech's dream (Genesis 20:3-7) reveals Abraham's unique standing. God calls him a prophet and states that Abraham 'shall pray for you, and you shall live.' This highlights several key points:
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God Defends His Own
Understand the original words
Abimelek · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title meaning "my father is king," used as a royal title for the kings of the Philistines in the narrative of Genesis. It represents the worldly power and authority that stands in contrast to the sovereignty of God.
yashab · Hebrew Verb
Literally "to dwell, settle, or abide." It implies a permanent or semi-permanent state of living in a place, often with connotations of finding rest, stability, or being at home in a land granted by God or another authority.
nokach · Hebrew Verb
A legal or social declaration that someone is free from guilt or blame. It implies being proven right, righteous, or justified in the sight of others.
kesuth · Hebrew Noun
A visible token, evidence, or proof of a reality, covenant, or truth. It serves to confirm a fact to witnesses and validate a claim.
This event highlights the ongoing spiritual journey of Abraham and the consistent care of God for His people, even when they stumble, intervening to protect Sarah and uphold marital integrity among the surrounding nations.
c. 2000-1800 BC— this verse
Abraham sojourns in Gerar
Abraham and Sarah travel to Gerar, a Philistine city-state, where Abraham, fearing for his life, claims Sarah is his sister.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abimelech takes Sarah
King Abimelech hears of Sarah's beauty and takes her into his household, intending to marry her.
c. 2000-1800 BC
God intervenes in a dream
God appears to Abimelech in a dream, revealing Sarah is married and warning him of death if he touches her.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abimelech confronts Abraham
Abimelech questions Abraham about his deception and the potential sin brought upon his kingdom.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abraham explains his fear
Abraham admits his fear that the "fear of God is not in this place" and that they would kill him for his wife.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abimelech restores Sarah
Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham, along with livestock and servants, as compensation and a gesture of goodwill.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abraham prays for Abimelech
Abraham intercedes for Abimelech and his household, and God heals them, allowing them to bear children.
This passage describes a similar situation where Abraham, fearing for his life, claims Sarah is his sister. Pharaoh, upon learning the truth from God, not only returns Sarah but also gives Abraham livestock and male and female servants as gifts, mirroring Abimelech's actions.
Genesis 26:6-11Here, Isaac repeats Abraham's mistake, presenting Rebekah as his sister to the people of Gerar. When King Abimelech discovers their true relationship, he rebukes Isaac and issues a decree protecting Isaac and Rebekah, highlighting the consequences and divine protection surrounding this recurring pattern.
Psalm 105:14This psalm recounts God's protection of Abraham and Isaac, stating, 'He allowed no one to oppress them; he warned kings on their behalf: 'Do not touch my anointed ones; do no harm to my prophets.'' This verse directly illuminates Abimelech's fear and caution after God's warning in a dream, underscoring Abraham's status as a prophet.
1 Peter 3:1-7This New Testament passage speaks to the conduct of wives and husbands, emphasizing Sarah's obedience to Abraham and calling her a 'daughter of Abraham' in spirit. It provides a theological framework for understanding the marital dynamics and respect, even amidst Abraham's fearful deception.
cambridgeGenesis 20:14: "And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife."
14 . And Abimelech took ] Abimelech’s gift is intended to compensate Abraham for injury to his honour. The head of the household is regarded as embodying the rights of all who belong to him. The LXX and Heb. Sam. insert “a thousand pieces of silver and” before “sheep and oxen.” This is due to a misunderstanding of Genesis 20:16 .
calvinGenesis 20:1-18: "And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar."
Et dixit Abraham de Sarah uxore sua, Soror mea est. Et misit Abimelech rex Gerar, et accepit Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
Et venit Jehova ad Abimelech in somnio noctis, et dixit et, Ecce es mortuus, propter uxor…
This verse isn't just about Abimelech giving Abraham gifts; it's a powerful act of restitution. By giving Abraham livestock, servants, and restoring Sarah, Abimelech acknowledges the wrong done and seeks to make amends, not just materially, but by publicly vindicating Sarah's honor.
After Abimelech, alerted by God in a dream, discovers Sarah is Abraham's wife, he confronts Abraham about the deception. Abimelech then makes amends by giving Abraham substantial gifts of livestock and servants and, most importantly, returns Sarah to him.
After Abimelech, alerted by God in a dream, discovers Sarah is Abraham's wife, he confronts Abraham about the deception. Abimelech then makes amends by giving Abraham substantial gifts of livestock and servants and, most importantly, returns Sarah to him.
"Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” To Sarah he said, “Be…" — This verse isn't just about Abimelech giving Abraham gifts; it's a powerful act of restitution. By giving Abraham livestock, servants, and restoring Sarah, Abimelech acknowledges the wrong done and s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
