Topical Bible: Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Abimelech

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In the biblical narrative, dreams serve as a significant means through which God communicates with individuals, often conveying warnings, guidance, or revelations. One notable instance of divine communication through dreams is found in the account of Abimelech, king of Gerar, as recorded in the Book of Genesis.

Abimelech's Dream: Genesis 20:1-7

The account of Abimelech's dream unfolds in Genesis 20, where Abraham and Sarah journey to Gerar. Fearing for his life due to Sarah's beauty, Abraham introduces her as his sister. Consequently, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, takes Sarah into his household. However, God intervenes by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the grave consequences of his actions.

In Genesis 20:3 , it is written: "But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.'" This divine message underscores the seriousness of Abimelech's unwitting transgression and highlights the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God.

Abimelech, in his defense, pleads his innocence, explaining that he acted with a clear conscience, having been misled by Abraham's claim. In response, God acknowledges Abimelech's integrity and reveals His protective hand in preventing Abimelech from sinning against Him. Genesis 20:6 states: "Then God said to him 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.'"

The dream serves as a pivotal moment, prompting Abimelech to restore Sarah to Abraham and to make amends. This encounter not only averts potential disaster but also reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty and moral accountability. Abimelech's response to the dream, characterized by obedience and restitution, exemplifies the appropriate human reaction to divine revelation.

Theological Implications

The account of Abimelech's dream illustrates several key theological principles. Firstly, it affirms God's active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating His ability to communicate directly with individuals, regardless of their cultural or religious background. Secondly, it highlights the importance of moral integrity and the consequences of actions, even when undertaken unknowingly. Lastly, the narrative underscores the protective nature of God's interventions, safeguarding His covenant promises and the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

In summary, the dream of Abimelech in Genesis 20 serves as a profound example of God's communication through dreams, emphasizing His justice, mercy, and the sanctity of marriage. This account remains a testament to the enduring relevance of divine guidance and the necessity of aligning human actions with God's revealed will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 20:3-7
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, you are but a dead man, for the woman which you have taken; for she is a man's wife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... thieves and robbers," as the Scripture says, predicted ... Jews from Egypt to the
above-mentioned date, there ... forming this conjecture mainly from dreams and oracles ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Anti-Pelagian Writings
... Sin. Chapter 43 [XXXVII.]--Why Scripture Has Not Mentioned the Sins of
All. Chapter 44.--Pelagius Argues that Abel Was Sinless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/

Introduction
... Reformation principle: "Interpret Scripture by Scripture"; and a ... drawn upon the above
mentioned Old Testament ... Interpretation of the Prisoners' Dreams by Joseph ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... reason of this exhortation; for, although all these things that have been mentioned
before may ... Let us therefore covet to imitate Christ and the scripture saints ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... What word, then, of the inspired Scripture has taught us the manifold and multiform ...
or fear, or any of the other elements which I have mentioned; and what ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother ... temple and statue of Dagon
are mentioned in the ... into harmony with history and other parts of Scripture. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... fear is variously taken in the Scripture, and because ... She is my sister." For when
Abimelech asked Abraham ... as in Adam, and the Israelites mentioned before, was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... 'Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth
to envy ... Thus Abimelech saw that God was with Abraham (Genesis 21:22). ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm