Genesis 20:6 Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, "Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

◄ Genesis 20:6 ►

New International Version
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

New Living Translation
In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.

English Standard Version
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.

Berean Standard Bible
Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

New American Standard Bible
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

NASB 1995
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

NASB 1977
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then God said to him in the dream, “Indeed, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also held you back from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

Amplified Bible
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this in the integrity of your heart, for it was I who kept you back and spared you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not give you an opportunity to touch her.

Christian Standard Bible
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. I have also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I have not let you touch her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. I have also kept you from sinning against Me. Therefore I have not let you touch her.

American Standard Version
And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou has done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Contemporary English Version
Then God continued: I know you are innocent. That's why I kept you from sleeping with Sarah and doing anything wrong.

English Revised Version
And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience," God said to him in the dream. "In fact, I kept you from sinning against me. That's why I didn't let you touch her.

Good News Translation
God replied in the dream, "Yes, I know that you did it with a clear conscience; so I kept you from sinning against me and did not let you touch her.

International Standard Version
Then God replied to him in the dream, "I know that you did this with pure intentions, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore, I didn't allow you to touch her.

Majority Standard Bible
Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, ?Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

NET Bible
Then in the dream God replied to him, "Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch her.

New Heart English Bible
God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God said to 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 I suffered thee not to touch her.

World English Bible
God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And God says to him in the dream, “Indeed, I have known that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I withhold you, even I, from sinning against Me, therefore I have not permitted you to come against her;

Young's Literal Translation
And God saith unto him in the dream, 'Yea, I -- I have known that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I withhold thee, even I, from sinning against Me, therefore I have not suffered thee to come against her;

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will say to him in a dream, I knew also that in the uprightness of thy heart thou didst this; and I also will restrain thee from sinning against me: for this I suffered thee not to touch her.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And God said to him: And I know that thou didst it with a sincere heart: and therefore I withheld thee from sinning against me, and I suffered thee not to touch her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God said to him: “And I know that you have acted with a sincere heart. And therefore I kept you from sinning against me, and I did not release you to touch her.

New American Bible
God answered him in the dream: Yes, I know you did it with a pure heart. In fact, it was I who kept you from sinning against me; that is why I did not let you touch her.

New Revised Standard Version
Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart; furthermore it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And God said to him in a dream, Yea, I know that you have done this in the innocence of your heart; for I also restrained you from sinning against me; therefore I did not permit you to touch her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God said to him in a dream “I know also that in perfection of your heart you have done this and I have restrained you also that you would not sin against me; because of this I did not let you touch her.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And God said unto him in the dream: 'Yea, I know that in the simplicity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God said to him in sleep, Yea, I knew that thou didst this with a pure heart, and I spared thee, so that thou shouldest not sin against me, therefore I suffered thee not to touch her.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech
…5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.” 6Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 34:24
For I will drive out the nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD your God.

1 Samuel 25:26
Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has held you back from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, may your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

1 Samuel 25:34
Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.”

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

Job 33:15-18
In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings / to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, ...

Psalm 19:13
Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

Psalm 105:14-15
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: / “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Matthew 1:20
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

Luke 1:35
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Acts 5:3-4
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? / Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

Treasury of Scripture

And God said to him in a dream, Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart; for I also withheld you from sinning against me: therefore suffered I you not to touch her.

withheld.

Genesis 20:18
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Genesis 31:7
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

Genesis 35:5
And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

sinning.

Genesis 39:9
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Leviticus 6:2
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;

Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

to touch.

Genesis 3:3
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 26:11
And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

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Genesis 20

1. Abraham sojourns at Gerar.
2. Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech.
3. Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream.
9. He rebukes Abraham.
14. Restores Sarah;
16. and reproves her.
17. Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer.

Berean Study Bible

Then God said to him in the dream
This phrase highlights the direct communication between God and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. In the ancient Near Eastern context, dreams were often considered a medium through which the divine communicated with humans. The Hebrew word for "dream" is "ḥalôm," which signifies a vision or revelation. This underscores the personal and intimate nature of God's intervention, emphasizing His sovereignty and willingness to guide even those outside the covenant community.

Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience
The phrase "clear conscience" is significant in understanding God's justice and mercy. The Hebrew word for "conscience" is not directly used here, but the concept is conveyed through the idea of integrity or innocence. God acknowledges Abimelech's integrity, showing that He is a just God who recognizes the intentions of the heart. This reflects the biblical principle that God judges not only actions but also the motives behind them, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart.

and so I have kept you from sinning against Me
Here, God's providential care is evident. The phrase "kept you from sinning" indicates divine intervention. The Hebrew root "ḥāṭā'" for "sinning" means to miss the mark, suggesting that sin is a deviation from God's standard. God's active role in preventing Abimelech from sinning highlights His grace and the importance of His moral law. It also illustrates the biblical truth that God can restrain evil and guide individuals toward righteousness.

That is why I did not let you touch her
The phrase "did not let you touch her" refers to God's protective action over Sarah, Abraham's wife. The Hebrew word "nāgaʿ" for "touch" implies more than physical contact; it suggests a violation or defilement. This protection underscores the sanctity of marriage and God's covenant promises to Abraham and Sarah. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His plans and purposes, even when human actions threaten to derail them.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - And God said unto him in a dream, - "It is in full agreement with the nature of dreams that the communication should be made in several, and not in one single act; cf. Genesis 37, and 41; Matthew 2." (Lange) - Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart - i.e. judged from thy moral standpoint. The words do not imply a Divine acquittal as to the essential guiltiness of the act, which is clearly involved in the instruction to seek the mediation of God's prophet (Ver. 7). For I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her (vide on Ver. 4).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then God
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to [Abimelech]
אֵלָ֨יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

in the dream,
בַּחֲלֹ֗ם (ba·ḥă·lōm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2472: A dream

“Yes,
גַּ֣ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

I
אָנֹכִ֤י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

know
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you did
עָשִׂ֣יתָ (‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this
זֹּ֔את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

with a clear
בְתָם־ (ḇə·ṯām-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8537: Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate

conscience,
לְבָבְךָ֙ (lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

and so I
אָנֹכִ֛י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

have also
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

kept
וָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְ (wā·’eḥ·śōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe

you
אֽוֹתְךָ֖ (’ō·wṯ·ḵā)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from sinning against Me.
מֵחֲטוֹ־ (mê·ḥă·ṭōw-)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

That is why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

let
נְתַתִּ֖יךָ (nə·ṯat·tî·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you touch
לִנְגֹּ֥עַ (lin·gō·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

her.
אֵלֶֽיהָ׃ (’ê·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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OT Law: Genesis 20:6 God said to him in the dream (Gen. Ge Gn)