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Genesis 20:3

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night and said to him, 'Listen, you are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is already married to another man.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is warning Abimelech through a dream that he's in serious danger because he has taken another man's wife, not knowing she was married.

📚 Historical Context

This occurs when Abraham and Sarah traveled to Gerar, where Abraham told people Sarah was his sister (technically true, as she was his half-sister) rather than his wife, fearing he might be killed if the king wanted Sarah. King Abimelech took Sarah into his household, not knowing she was married, prompting God's direct intervention to protect both Sarah's honor and prevent Abimelech from unknowingly committing adultery.

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