Genesis 20:13
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.
Genesis 20:13 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Genesis tells the story of Abraham and Sarah as they journeyed to different places. In this particular instance, Abraham was worried about the people they would encounter on their travels. He was concerned that they might harm him because Sarah was very beautiful, so he asked her to pretend to be his sister instead of his wife. This act was intended to protect Abraham, as he believed that the people they met would treat him well if they thought Sarah was his sister. Despite the deceptive nature of this plan, Abraham's actions were driven by a desire to ensure their safety in unfamiliar territories. This verse highlights the challenges faced by Abraham and Sarah as they navigated through life, relying on each other for support and protection.
Theological Overview
When looking at the theological interpretation of Genesis 20:13, one can see a complex moral dilemma at play. In this verse, Abraham refers to Sarah as his sister in order to protect himself from danger in a foreign land. Some scholars interpret this as a lack of faith on Abraham's part, as he did not trust in God's protection. However, others argue that Abraham's actions were a result of his fear and desire to survive, rather than a lack of faith. The verse raises interesting questions about the balance between trust in God and personal responsibility. Additionally, a word study of the phrase "kindness" in this verse reveals the Hebrew word "hesed," which refers to God's covenantal love and faithfulness. This sheds light on the deeper meaning of Abraham's request for Sarah to show him kindness by saying he is her brother wherever they go, highlighting the importance of loyalty and protection within the covenantal relationship.
Genesis 20:13 in other translations
American Standard Version
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 show unto me: at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
World English Bible
When God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe when God caused me to wander out of my fathers house, I said then to her, This is thy kindnes that thou shalt shewe vnto me in all places where we come, Say thou of me, He is my brother.