ream: God Warns Abimelech Not to Touch Sarah Actor: Abimelech Reference: Genesis 20: 3– 7 ( KJV) Genesis 20: 3 " But God came...
ream: God Warns Abimelech Not to Touch Sarah
Actor: Abimelech
Reference: Genesis 20:3–7 (KJV)
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."
Meaning: God directly warns Abimelech that he is in danger of death because he has taken Sarah, who is actually Abraham’s wife, not his sister as Abraham claimed. This dream is a divine intervention to protect Sarah and preserve God's covenant promise.
Genesis 20:4-5
"But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said,
Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
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 this."
Meaning: Abimelech defends his innocence before God in the dream, claiming he was deceived by Abraham and Sarah. He pleads that he acted with integrity.
Genesis 20:6
"And God said unto him in a dream,
Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart;
for I also withheld thee from sinning against me:
therefore suffered I thee not to touch her."
Meaning: God acknowledges Abimelech’s sincerity and reveals that He Himself prevented Abimelech from sinning, showing God's control over human actions and his protective power.
Genesis 20:7
"Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet,
and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live:
and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine."
Meaning: God commands Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, declaring Abraham a prophet who will intercede for him. Failing to obey will result in death for Abimelech and his household.
🧠 Summary of Meaning:
This dream was:
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A warning of impending death due to an unintentional sin.
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A revelation of Abraham's prophetic role.
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A command to restore Sarah and seek Abraham’s intercession.
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An example of God's sovereignty in preventing sin.
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