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Genesis 20:9

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

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

Then Abimelech called Abraham to him and said, 'What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you would bring such great sin upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

King Abimelech is confronting Abraham for deceiving him about Sarah being his wife, which put the king in danger of committing adultery unknowingly.

📚 Historical Context

This confrontation occurs after God warned Abimelech in a dream that Sarah was Abraham's wife, not his sister as Abraham had claimed. Abraham had deceived Abimelech out of fear, using the same lie he had told Pharaoh years earlier. Ancient Near Eastern cultures took adultery very seriously, and kings were especially concerned about divine judgment on their kingdoms.

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