Genesis 20:12

But anyway, Sarah really is my sister. We have the same father, but different mothers.” You see, in Abraham’s culture, men could marry their half-sisters.

Plain English Version

In The 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.

In Context

11Abraham said, “I’m sorry. I thought that nobody here respected God, so I was frightened of you mob. I reckoned that you would kill me so that you can marry Sarah.

13Then Abraham said, “God told me to leave my father’s country, so we moved around from place to place, and I was frightened of the people. So I told Sarah, ‘Be good to me and tell everyone that you are my sister. Then I will be safe.’”

Read all of Genesis 20

Cross References

1 Thessalonians 5:22But if it is wrong, or if it tells you to do a bad thing, don’t do it. Keep away from every sort of bad thing, and don’t listen to messages that don’t come from God.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 20:9-14

Abimelech's Conduct Towards Abraham. ( b. c. 1898.) 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 20:12