Key Verse Spotlight
Genesis 20:12 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. "
Genesis 20:12
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
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From This Chapter
Genesis 20:1
"And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar."
Genesis 20:1
"And Abraham went on his way from there to the land of the South, and was living between Kadesh and Shur, in Gerar."
Genesis 20:2
"And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah."
Genesis 20:3
"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."
Genesis 20:4
"But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?"
Genesis 20:5
"Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done"
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