1
וַיִּסַּ֨ע מִשָּׁ֤ם אַבְרָהָם֙ אַ֣רְצָה הַנֶּ֔גֶב וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בֵּין קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֣ין שׁ֑וּר וַיָּ֖גָר בִּגְרָֽר
And Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negeb, and he settled between Kadesh and between Shur, and he sojourned in Gerar.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּסַּ֨עand he journeyedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָסַע (H5265) 'pull up stakes, journey'; marks new patriarchal movement in the itinerary.
מִשָּׁ֤םfrom thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial phrase of originשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן marks departure from the prior location (Mamre area).
אַבְרָהָם֙Abrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיִּסַּעאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'father of a multitude'; the covenant patriarch in renewed movement.
אַ֣רְצָהto the land ofN (c) sg cstr + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional accusative (goal)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, territory'; directional suffix ה marks motion toward the region.
הַנֶּ֔גֶבthe Negebart + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Genitival (directional phrase)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negeb'; the arid southern Canaanite region near Gerar.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand he settledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'sit, dwell, settle'; signals extended residence, not mere passage.
בֵּיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Locative prepositionבֵּין (H996) 'between'; marks the intermediate area between two named landmarks.
קָדֵ֖שׁKadeshproper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)First term of locative pairקָדֵשׁ (H6946) 'Kadesh'; major Negeb oasis, associated with Hagar and Israel's wilderness wandering.
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinating conj resuming pairבֵּין (H996); repetition of בֵּין...וּבֵין precisely defines the settlement zone.
שׁ֑וּרShurproper noun · שׁוּר (H7793)Second term of locative pairשׁוּר (H7793) 'Shur'; wilderness east of Egypt on the Sinai-Canaan border (Gen 16:7; Ex 15:22).
וַיָּ֖גָרand he sojournedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · גּוּר (H1481)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגּוּר (H1481) 'sojourn as alien resident'; the patriarchal mode of life throughout Canaan.
בִּגְרָֽרin Gerarprep בְּ + proper noun · גְּרָר (H1642)Locative prepositional phraseגְּרָר (H1642) 'Gerar'; Philistine city ruled by Abimelech; setting for the whole episode.
2
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶל שָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ גְּרָ֔ר וַיִּקַּ֖ח אֶת שָׂרָֽה
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say, speak'; the standard speech-introducing verb in Hebrew narrative.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראַבְרָהָם (H85); patriarch repeating the sister-ruse first deployed in Gen 12:10-20.
אֶלof / concerningprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of referenceאֶל (H413) 'to, toward, concerning'; here 'of' Sarah — what Abraham said publicly about her.
שָׂרָ֥הSarahproper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Object of prepositional phraseשָׂרָה (H8283) 'princess'; the matriarch whose protection is central to covenant promise.
אִשְׁתּ֖וֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive identifying Sarahאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; narrator names her 'his wife' immediately before Abraham calls her 'my sister.'
אֲחֹ֣תִיmy sisterN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָחוֹת (H269)Predicate nominative (quoted speech)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; the half-truth Abraham clarifies in v.12; the deceptive act on which the plot turns.
הִ֑ואshe [is]3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהִיא (H1931) 'she'; pronoun completes the nominal clause serving as copula subject.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗חand he sentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'send, dispatch'; the king dispatches agents to bring Sarah to the palace.
אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ֙Abimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלַחאֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40) 'my father is king'; Philistine royal whose relative integrity God will acknowledge in v.6.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg cstr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct title / appositiveמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the construct links the royal title to the city of Gerar.
גְּרָ֔רGerarproper noun · גְּרָר (H1642)Genitival (object of construct)גְּרָר (H1642) 'Gerar'; naming the city underscores the political dimension of Abimelech's act.
וַיִּקַּ֖חand he tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'take'; anticipates marital appropriation; God's intervention in v.3 shows the gravity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks שָׂרָה as the definite direct object of לָקַח.
שָׂרָֽהSarahproper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחשָׂרָה (H8283); her name at verse-end underscores the threat to the matriarch and the promised line.
3
וַיָּבֹ֧א אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶל אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בַּחֲל֣וֹם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ הִנְּךָ֥ מֵת֙ עַל הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אֲשֶׁר לָקַ֔חְתָּ וְהִ֖וא בְּעֻ֥לַת בָּֽעַל
And God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married to a husband."
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיָּבֹ֧אand he cameQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'come, enter'; God's coming to Abimelech is the pivotal moment of the chapter.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיָּבֹאאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty; used throughout vv.3-17 rather than the divine name יהוה.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Abimelech as the recipient of the divine visit.
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Object of prepositional phraseאֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); God confronts the pagan king directly, bypassing Abraham entirely.
בַּחֲל֣וֹםin a dreamprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Prepositional phrase, mode of revelationחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; recognized vehicle of divine communication in Genesis (28; 31; 37).
הַלָּ֑יְלָהof the nightart + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Temporal modifier of dreamלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; specifies a nocturnal revelation — 'dream of the night.'
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces God's direct confrontational address to Abimelech.
ל֗וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect object (speech recipient)לְ with pronominal suffix; preposition marking the recipient of God's speech.
הִנְּךָ֥behold, youparticle + 2ms suf · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle with addresseeהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; attention-focusing particle; attached suffix prepares addressee for the verdict.
מֵת֙a dead manQal ptc m sg abs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate ptc (nominal clause)→ Participial: imminent stative — you are as good as deadמוּת (H4191) 'die'; ptc as predicate noun conveys juridical condemnation and mortal imminence.
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of'; here causal, giving the ground of the death-sentence.
הָאִשָּׁ֣הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of causal prepositionאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the article marks her as the known, definite woman — Sarah.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause specifying the woman taken.
לָקַ֔חְתָּyou have takenQal perf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act held accountableלָקַח (H3947) 'take'; the perfect marks the act as done and legally answerable.
וְהִ֖ואand sheconj וְ + 3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Coordinating conj + subjectהִיא (H1931) 'she'; the conjunction introduces a second ground for the condemnation.
בְּעֻ֥לַתmarried toQal ptc f sg cstr · בָּעַל (H1166)Predicate ptc (construct + genitive)→ Participial: stative — she is under a husband's authorityבָּעַל (H1166) 'marry, possess as husband'; ptc f cstr means 'one who belongs to a husband.'
בָּֽעַלa husbandN m sg abs · בַּעַל (H1167)Genitival (object of construct ptc)בַּעַל (H1167) 'master, husband'; completes the phrase identifying Sarah's married status.
4
וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ לֹ֥א קָרַ֖ב אֵלֶ֑יהָ וַיֹּאמַ֕ר אֲדֹנָ֕י הֲג֥וֹי גַּם צַדִּ֖יק תַּהֲרֹֽג
Now Abimelech had not come near to her, and he said, "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?"
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְbut Abimelechconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Disjunctive subject (background clause)אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the disjunctive structure signals a circumstantial clause explaining his innocence.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the strong negation used in legal and ethical contexts.
קָרַ֖בhad drawn nearQal perf 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (background clause)→ Perfective: completed (non-)action set as backgroundקָרַב (H7126) 'draw near, approach'; here euphemistic for sexual access — he had not touched her.
אֵלֶ֑יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with the 3fs suffix marks the female referent of the (non-)approach.
וַיֹּאמַ֕רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Abimelech's protest-prayer directed to God within the dream.
אֲדֹנָ֕יO LordN m pl cstr + 1cs suf · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative addressאָדוֹן (H136) 'lord, master'; with pl of majesty and 1cs suffix as a title of address to God.
הֲג֥וֹיwill a nationinterrog ה + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Interrogative subject (rhetorical)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; Abimelech frames his plea in forensic, corporate terms.
גַּםevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial focus particleגַּם (H1571) 'even, also'; intensifies the question — would God destroy even a guiltless nation?
צַדִּ֖יקrighteousadj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Attributive adjective (modifying גּוֹי)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; from צָדַק 'be right'; Abimelech claims moral standing for his kingdom.
תַּהֲרֹֽגwill you killQal impf 2ms · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (interrogative)→ Yiqtol: modal — rhetorical question about God's intended actionהָרַג (H2026) 'kill, slay'; the imperfect as rhetorical question appeals to divine justice.
5
הֲלֹ֨א ה֤וּא אָֽמַר לִי֙ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֔וא וְהִֽיא גַם הִ֥וא אָֽמְרָ֖ה אָחִ֣י ה֑וּא בְּתָם לְבָבִ֛י וּבְנִקְיֹ֥ן כַּפַּ֖י עָשִׂ֥יתִי זֹֽאת
Did he not himself say to me, "She is my sister"? And she herself also said, "He is my brother." In the integrity of my heart and in the innocence of my hands I have done this.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
הֲלֹ֨אdid he notinterrog ה + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Interrogative negation (rhetorical)הֲלֹא (H3808 + interrog); a rhetorical negative question expecting 'yes, he did say it.'
ה֤וּאhe himself3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic subjectהוּא (H1931) 'he'; the independent pronoun adds emphasis — 'he himself told me.'
אָֽמַרsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act cited as evidenceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; the perfective cites Abraham's own declaration as Abimelech's justification.
לִי֙to meprep לְ + 1cs suf · לְIndirect objectלְ with pronominal suffix; marks Abimelech as the recipient of Abraham's declaration.
אֲחֹ֣תִיmy sisterN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָחוֹת (H269)Predicate nominative (quoted speech)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; the claim Abraham made that Abimelech now uses in his own defense.
הִ֔ואshe [is]3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהִיא (H1931) 'she'; pronoun completes the nominal clause of Abraham's quoted assertion.
וְהִֽיאand sheconj וְ + 3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Coordinating conj + subjectהִיא (H1931) 'she'; the conjunction introduces the parallel evidence from Sarah's own words.
גַםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial focus particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes that Sarah's own declaration corroborates Abraham's.
הִ֥ואshe herself3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Emphatic subject pronounהִיא (H1931) 'she'; the independent pronoun adds emphasis — 'she herself said it.'
אָֽמְרָ֖הsaidQal perf 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (parallel clause)→ Perfective: completed act cited as parallel evidenceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; Sarah's own declaration is cited as corroborating evidence for Abimelech.
אָחִ֣יmy brotherN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָח (H251)Predicate nominative (quoted speech)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Sarah's reciprocal claim confirming the coordinated ruse (cf. v.12).
ה֑וּאhe [is]3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 'he'; pronoun completes the nominal clause of Sarah's quoted assertion.
בְּתָםin the integrity ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · תֹּם (H8537)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)תֹּם (H8537) 'integrity, completeness, wholeness'; from תָּמַם; denotes moral uprightness of motive.
לְבָבִ֛יmy heartN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitival (object of construct)לֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, inner self'; the seat of moral intention and volition; 'integrity of heart' = pure motive.
וּבְנִקְיֹ֥ןand in the innocence ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg cstr · נִקָּיוֹן (H5356)Coordinating conj + adverbial phraseנִקָּיוֹן (H5356) 'innocence, cleanness'; from נָקָה 'be clean'; paired with תֹּם for a full moral defense.
כַּפַּ֖יmy handsN f dual cstr + 1cs suf · כַּף (H3709)Genitival (object of construct)כַּף (H3709) 'palm, hand'; hands are the instruments of action; 'innocence of hands' = clean deeds.
עָשִׂ֥יתִיI have doneQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: declares completed act in moral self-assessmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make, act'; the perfective frames Abimelech's defense as describing a completed deed.
זֹֽאתthisproximal demonstrative f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Direct object (demonstrative)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the proximal demonstrative refers anaphorically to the act of taking Sarah.
6
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֵלָ֨יו הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים בַּחֲלֹ֗ם גַּ֣ם אָנֹכִ֤י יָדַ֨עְתִּי֙ כִּ֤י בְתָם לְבָבְךָ֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּ֔את וָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְ גַּם אָנֹכִ֛י אֽוֹתְךָ֖ מֵחֲטוֹ לִ֑י עַל כֵּ֥ן לֹא נְתַתִּ֖יךָ לִנְגֹּ֥עַ אֵלֶֽיהָ
And God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I myself know that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also kept you from sinning against me; therefore I did not allow you to touch her."
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces God's response to Abimelech's protest within the dream.
אֵלָ֨יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Abimelech as recipient of God's clarifying reply.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the article with the plural of majesty for Israel's God; here with direct speech.
בַּחֲלֹ֗םin the dreamprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Prepositional phrase (mode of speech)חֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; the article specifies the same dream begun in v.3.
גַּ֣םyes, indeedadverb · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic affirmative particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, indeed'; here introduces God's affirmation of Abimelech's claim.
אָנֹכִ֤יI myself1cs personal pronoun · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject (fronted)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the emphatic first-person pronoun stresses that God personally is the one who knows.
יָדַ֨עְתִּי֙I knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: God's knowing is a decisive, completed cognizanceיָדַע (H3045) 'know, perceive'; God's knowledge is not merely cognitive but judicial acknowledgment.
כִּ֤יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces the content of what God knows about Abimelech's motive.
בְתָםin the integrity ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · תֹּם (H8537)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)תֹּם (H8537) 'integrity, wholeness'; God echoes Abimelech's own language from v.5, validating it.
לְבָבְךָ֙your heartN m sg cstr + 2ms suf · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitival (object of construct)לֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, inner seat of will'; God acknowledges the moral innocence of Abimelech's inner intention.
עָשִׂ֣יתָyou didQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: the king's act acknowledged as completed in integrityעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, act'; the act is acknowledged as having been done in good faith.
זֹּ֔אתthisproximal demonstrative f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Direct objectזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; refers to the taking of Sarah, the object of God's judicial assessment.
וָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְso I withheldQal wayyiqtol 1cs · חָשַׂךְ (H2820)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence (divine action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָשַׂךְ (H2820) 'withhold, restrain, spare'; God's restraining act is as decisive as the condemnation.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial focus particleגַּם (H1571) 'also'; emphasizes that God too — not just Abimelech — played a role in restraint.
אָנֹכִ֛יI myself1cs personal pronoun · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject (fronted)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic pronoun; God takes personal credit for the restraint that protected Abimelech.
אֽוֹתְךָ֖[obj] youobj marker + 2ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffixאֵת (H853) with pronominal suffix; marks Abimelech as the definite direct object of God's withholding.
מֵחֲטוֹfrom sinningprep מִן + Qal inf constr · חָטָא (H2398)Prepositional phrase (goal of restraint)→ Infinitive: the act of sinning from which God withheld himחָטָא (H2398) 'sin, miss the mark'; the prep מִן + inf constr denotes the sin from which he was kept.
לִ֑יagainst meprep לְ + 1cs suf · לְIndirect object (sin against God)לְ with pronominal suffix; sin is ultimately against God — 'from sinning against me' (cf. Gen 39:9).
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Causal-resultive prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of, therefore'; with כֵּן forms עַל-כֵּן 'on account of this, therefore.'
כֵּ֥ןsoadverb/particle · כֵּן (H3651)Resultive particle (עַל-כֵּן)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, therefore'; with עַל forms the standard resultive conjunction עַל-כֵּן.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the strong negation expressing what God did not permit.
נְתַתִּ֖יךָI allowed youQal perf 1cs + 2ms suf · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act of permission withheldנָתַן (H5414) 'give, allow, permit'; here with לִנְגֹּעַ, 'I did not give/allow you to touch her.'
לִנְגֹּ֥עַto touchprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָגַע (H5060)Purposive infinitive (object of permission)→ Infinitive: specific act deniedנָגַע (H5060) 'touch, reach, strike'; euphemism for sexual contact; the definite act God prevented.
אֵלֶֽיהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional object of touchingאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 3fs suffix marks Sarah as the object of the prohibited contact.
7
וְעַתָּ֗ה הָשֵׁ֤ב אֵֽשֶׁת הָאִישׁ֙ כִּֽי נָבִ֣יא ה֔וּא וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל בַּֽעַדְךָ֖ וֶֽחְיֵ֑ה וְאִם אֵֽינְךָ֣ מֵשִׁ֗יב דַּ֚ע כִּי מ֣וֹת תָּמ֔וּת אַתָּ֖ה וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָֽךְ
And now restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that dying you shall die, you and all that is yours.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal transition (urgency)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; with וְ marks a decisive shift from diagnosis to demand for immediate action.
הָשֵׁ֤בrestore!Hiphil impv 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (divine command)→ Volitional: urgent imperative demanding restitutionשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'cause to return, restore'; the Hiphil imperative carries full commanding force.
אֵֽשֶׁתwife ofN f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (construct head)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the construct links her identity as wife to 'the man' — to Abraham.
הָאִישׁ֙the manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitival (genitive of construct)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; the article marks Abraham as a specific, known individual.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground for the urgency of restoring Sarah.
נָבִ֣יאa prophetN m sg abs · נָבִיא (H5030)Predicate nominativeנָבִיא (H5030) 'prophet, spokesman'; the first explicit use of this title in Genesis — a significant disclosure.
ה֔וּאhe [is]3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 'he'; pronoun completes the nominal clause identifying Abraham as a prophet.
וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥לand he will prayconj וְ + Hitpael impf 3ms · פָּלַל (H6419)Coordinated impf (consequence of restoration)→ Yiqtol: consequential future — prayer contingent on obedienceפָּלַל (H6419) Hitpael 'intercede, pray'; prophetic intercession is the necessary means of Abimelech's healing.
בַּֽעַדְךָ֖for youprep בְּעַד + 2ms suf · בְּעַד (H1157)Benefactive prepositional phraseבְּעַד (H1157) 'on behalf of, for'; marks Abimelech as the beneficiary of Abraham's intercession.
וֶֽחְיֵ֑הand live!conj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · חָיָה (H2421)Consecutive imperative (apodosis)→ Volitional: life conditioned on obedience to restorationחָיָה (H2421) 'live, remain alive'; with the imperative, living is the promised outcome of compliance.
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the contrary condition and its mortal consequence.
אֵֽינְךָ֣you do notneg particle + 2ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Existential negation with subjectאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; with suffix 'you are not [one who]' — negates the act.
מֵשִׁ֗יבreturning [her]Hiphil ptc m sg abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate ptc (with אֵינְךָ)→ Participial: progressive action being refusedשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil ptc 'one who restores'; the participial predicate with אֵין expresses a present refusal.
דַּ֚עknow!Qal impv 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (imperative warning)→ Volitional: solemn command to acknowledge the consequenceיָדַע (H3045) 'know, understand'; the imperative demands full recognition of what non-compliance entails.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of knowing)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the lethal content that must be known.
מ֣וֹתdyingQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive abs (emphatic intensification)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies the following finite verbמוּת (H4191) Qal inf abs 'dying'; the cognate infinitive absolute magnifies the verb תָּמוּת into a solemn formula.
תָּמ֔וּתyou shall dieQal impf 2ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (apodosis of warning)→ Yiqtol: certain future consequence of non-complianceמוּת (H4191) 'die'; with the inf abs forms the judicial formula מוֹת תָּמוּת — 'dying you shall die.'
אַתָּ֖הyou2ms personal pronoun · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject (expanding scope)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; the independent pronoun specifies Abimelech himself as the first subject of the death-threat.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinating conj + totality nounכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; extends the death-threat from Abimelech to everything belonging to him.
אֲשֶׁרthat [is]relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the relative clause defining what belongs to Abimelech.
לָֽךְyoursprep לְ + 2ms suf · לְPossessive prepositional phraseלְ with pronominal suffix; the preposition of possession — 'all that is yours.'
8
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ בַּבֹּ֗קֶר וַיִּקְרָא֙ לְכָל עֲבָדָ֔יו וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים מְאֹֽד
And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and spoke all these words in their ears, and the men were greatly afraid.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨םand he rose earlyHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַם (H7925)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'rise early, start early'; the early rising signals the seriousness with which Abimelech takes the dream.
אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיַּשְׁכֵּםאֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); his immediate response in the morning demonstrates genuine fear of God.
בַּבֹּ֗קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the specific time underscores haste — he did not delay until afternoon.
וַיִּקְרָא֙and he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'call, summon'; Abimelech assembles his whole household to address the crisis.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase with totality nounכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the totality noun emphasizes that no member of the court is excluded.
עֲבָדָ֔יוhis servantsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitival (object of construct)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, subject'; the household staff and officials summoned to hear the report.
וַיְדַבֵּ֛רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'speak, declare'; the Piel of deliberate, formal speech before a gathered audience.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks כָּל-הַדְּבָרִים as the definite direct object of the speech.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Totality noun (head of object phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; every detail of the dream-revelation is reported — nothing omitted.
הַדְּבָרִ֥יםthe words / thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitival (object of construct)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; here the contents of the divine dream-speech are the 'words/things' reported.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + distal dem common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative adj (modifying הַדְּבָרִים)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the demonstrative specifies the divine words just described in the dream narrative.
בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑םin their earsprep בְּ + N f dual cstr + 3mp suf · אֹזֶן (H241)Locative phrase (manner of speech)אֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; the idiom 'speak in the ears of' denotes direct, formal oral address to an audience.
וַיִּֽירְא֥וּand they fearedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרֵא (H3372) 'fear, be afraid'; the servants' fear demonstrates that the report was received as grave and credible.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֖יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיִּירְאוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the plural with article refers to the assembled servants just summoned.
מְאֹֽדgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifierמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, greatly, exceedingly'; intensifies the fear — the response was profound and not merely polite.
9
וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ לְאַבְרָהָ֗ם וַיֹּ֨אמֶר ל֜וֹ מֶֽה עָשִׂ֤יתָ לָּ֨נוּ֙ וּמֶֽה חָטָ֣אתִי לָ֔ךְ כִּֽי הֵבֵ֧אתָ עָלַ֛י וְעַל מַמְלַכְתִּ֖י חֲטָאָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה מַעֲשִׂים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא יֵֽעָשׂ֔וּ עָשִׂ֖יתָ עִמָּדִֽי
And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? Deeds that ought not to be done you have done with me."
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨אand he summonedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'call, summon'; Abimelech shifts from briefing servants to confronting Abraham directly.
אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאאֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the king moves from informing servants to direct confrontation with the patriarch.
לְאַבְרָהָ֗םAbrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of callingאַבְרָהָם (H85); Abraham is summoned before the king to answer for the deception.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Abimelech's direct confrontational speech to Abraham.
ל֜וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect objectלְ with pronominal suffix; marks Abraham as the recipient of the royal rebuke.
מֶֽהwhatinterrog pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative subjectמָה (H4100) 'what'; opens the first of two rhetorical questions charging Abraham with wrongdoing.
עָשִׂ֤יתָhave you doneQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (interrogative clause)→ Perfective: charges a completed actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make, act'; the perfective frames the question as a charge about a completed offense.
לָּ֨נוּ֙to usprep לְ + 1cp suf · לְIndirect object / recipientלְ with 1cp suffix; Abimelech speaks for his whole kingdom, not himself alone.
וּמֶֽהand whatconj וְ + interrog · מָה (H4100)Coordinating interrogativeמָה (H4100) 'what'; the second rhetorical question sharpens the charge — what sin had Abimelech committed?
חָטָ֣אתִיhave I sinnedQal perf 1cs · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (second interrogative)→ Perfective: rhetorical question about a completed offenseחָטָא (H2398) 'sin, miss the mark'; Abimelech protests that he had done nothing to deserve this.
לָ֔ךְagainst youprep לְ + 2ms suf · לְIndirect object (sin against)לְ with pronominal suffix; marks Abraham as the one against whom Abimelech supposedly sinned.
כִּֽיthat / so thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Resultive conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, so that'; introduces the grievous consequence Abraham caused.
הֵבֵ֧אתָyou broughtHiphil perf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed causative act of bringing inבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'bring, cause to come'; Abraham actively introduced the sin-situation into the kingdom.
עָלַ֛יupon meprep עַל + 1cs suf · עַל (H5921)Object of brought-upon (first)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks the king as the first party on whom the sin rests.
וְעַלand uponconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conj + prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the conjunction extends the scope of the offense from king to kingdom.
מַמְלַכְתִּ֖יmy kingdomN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · מַמְלָכָה (H4467)Object of extended prepositional phraseמַמְלָכָה (H4467) 'kingdom, realm'; the whole political entity is implicated in the danger Abraham introduced.
חֲטָאָ֣הa sinN f sg abs · חֲטָאָה (H2401)Direct object of הֵבֵאתָחֲטָאָה (H2401) 'sin, offense'; a strong term for moral transgression; Abraham is charged with importing guilt.
גְדֹלָ֑הgreatadj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adj (modifying חֲטָאָה)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; characterizes the sin as serious in magnitude, not merely technical.
מַעֲשִׂים֙deedsN m pl abs · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Resumptive noun (apposition)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'deed, work, act'; the resumptive noun introduces a final characterization of what Abraham did.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the relative clause defining what kind of deeds these are.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the absolute negation expressing the normative prohibition.
יֵֽעָשׂ֔וּought to be doneNiphal impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause, normative)→ Yiqtol: modal — normative standard; such things should never be doneעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'be done'; the Niphal imperfect expresses a normative standard: these are things not done.
עָשִׂ֖יתָyou have doneQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (resumptive main clause)→ Perfective: completed act violating the normעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make'; the repetition of the root condemns Abraham for doing what should not be done.
עִמָּדִֽיwith meprep עִם + 1cs suf · עִמָּד (H5978)Relational prepositional phraseעִמָּד (H5978) 'with'; marks the relational context — Abraham did this to a king who had treated him fairly.
10
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם מָ֣ה רָאִ֔יתָ כִּ֥י עָשִׂ֖יתָ אֶת הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה
And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you have done this thing?"
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Abimelech's follow-up question pressing Abraham for his motivation.
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the king follows the rebuke with a probing demand for explanation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of addressאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Abraham as the addressee of the question.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of prepositional phraseאַבְרָהָם (H85); named as the direct recipient of the king's pressing interrogation.
מָ֣הwhatinterrog pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (object of seeing)מָה (H4100) 'what'; the question asks what perception or assessment drove Abraham's action.
רָאִ֔יתָdid you seeQal perf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (interrogative clause)→ Perfective: completed act of assessment — what did you perceive?רָאָה (H7200) 'see, perceive, assess'; idiomatically asks what Abraham evaluated that motivated his strategy.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Resultive conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, so that'; links the perception to the consequent action.
עָשִׂ֖יתָyou didQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: completed act that followed from what was seenעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make'; the act whose motivation is being interrogated.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה as definite direct object.
הַדָּבָ֥רthe thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of עָשִׂיתָדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; refers to the whole deception — calling Sarah his sister.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + proximal dem m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adj (modifying הַדָּבָר)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative points to the specific deceptive act under discussion.
11
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם כִּ֣י אָמַ֗רְתִּי רַ֚ק אֵין יִרְאַ֣ת אֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַהֲרָג֖וּנִי עַל דְּבַ֥ר אִשְׁתִּֽי
And Abraham said, "Because I said, Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife."
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Abraham's direct answer to Abimelech's question about motivation.
אַבְרָהָ֔םAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראַבְרָהָם (H85); now given space to explain his reasoning — and the explanation reveals genuine fear.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because'; introduces the causal ground of Abraham's strategy — his inner assessment.
אָמַ֗רְתִּיI saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed inner speech articulating the fearאָמַר (H559) 'say'; here introduces Abraham's own internal reasoning — what he said to himself.
רַ֚קsurelyadverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (inner speech)רַק (H7535) 'only, surely, but'; introduces the premise of Abraham's fearful assessment.
אֵיןthere is noneg existential · אַיִן (H369)Existential negationאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; the existential negative denies the presence of God-fear here.
יִרְאַ֣תfear ofN f sg cstr · יִרְאָה (H3374)Subject of existential clauseיִרְאָה (H3374) 'fear, reverence'; from יָרֵא; as 'fear of God' it denotes moral restraint rooted in divine accountability.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitival (object of construct)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the 'fear of God' is Abraham's shorthand for ethical restraint rooted in divine sanction.
בַּמָּק֖וֹםin this placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; with the article the phrase is 'in this place' — Gerar as a place lacking divine restraint.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + proximal dem m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adj (modifying הַמָּקוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to Gerar specifically as the feared location devoid of God-fearing ethics.
וַהֲרָג֖וּנִיand they will kill meQal weqatal 3cp + 1cs suf · הָרַג (H2026)Weqatal (sequential feared consequence)→ Weqatal: sequential future — feared outcome of the assessed dangerהָרַג (H2026) 'kill, slay'; the weqatal anticipates the consequence Abraham feared — being killed for his wife.
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on account of, because of'; gives the reason for the feared murder.
דְּבַ֥רthe matter ofN m sg cstr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain head (reason)דָּבָר (H1697) 'matter, cause, account of'; the construct phrase means 'on account of the matter of my wife.'
אִשְׁתִּֽיmy wifeN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitival (object of construct)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; his wife's beauty is the threat Abraham feared, as in Gen 12:11-12.
12
וְגַם אָמְנָ֗ה אֲחֹתִ֤י בַת אָבִי֙ הִ֔וא אַ֖ךְ לֹ֣א בַת אִמִּ֑י וַתְּהִי לִ֖י לְאִשָּֽׁה
And moreover, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father, only not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְגַםand moreoverconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conj with emphasisגַּם (H1571) 'also, moreover'; with וְ introduces the additional defense of partial truth.
אָמְנָ֗הtruly / indeedadverb · אָמְנָה (H546)Affirmative concessive adverbאָמְנָה (H546) 'truly, indeed'; a rare adverb of strong affirmation, conceding that Sarah actually is his sister.
אֲחֹתִ֤יmy sisterN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָחוֹת (H269)Predicate nominativeאָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; the claim is defended here as partially true — she is indeed his half-sister.
בַתdaughter ofN f sg cstr · בַּת (H1323)Appositive construct (explaining kinship)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the construct phrase specifies the genealogical basis for the 'sister' claim.
אָבִי֙my fatherN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָב (H1)Genitival (object of construct)אָב (H1) 'father'; the common paternal descent is the bond that makes the 'sister' claim technically true.
הִ֔ואshe [is]3fs personal pronoun · הִיא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהִיא (H1931) 'she'; pronoun completes the nominal clause affirming the partial kinship truth.
אַ֖ךְonlyadverb · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverb (limiting claim)אַךְ (H389) 'only, but'; restricts the scope of the 'sister' claim — she is sister only on the father's side.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the absolute negation qualifies the partial kinship truth.
בַתdaughter ofN f sg cstr · בַּת (H1323)Predicate nominative (negated)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the negated construct denies maternal kinship — she is not from his mother.
אִמִּ֑יmy motherN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אֵם (H517)Genitival (object of construct)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; the different maternal line is the legal distinction making her his half-sister, not full.
וַתְּהִיand she becameQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence (result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become'; the narrative sequence reports the marriage as a further established fact.
לִ֖יfor meprep לְ + 1cs suf · לְBenefactive prepositional phraseלְ with 1cs suffix; the dative of advantage — she became a wife belonging to me.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicative noun (resultive complement)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the prep לְ marks the role into which Sarah entered in the marriage.
13
וַיְהִ֞י כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר הִתְע֣וּ אֹתִ֗י אֱלֹהִים֮ מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִי֒ וָאֹמַ֣ר לָ֔הּ זֶ֣ה חַסְדֵּ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשִׂ֖י עִמָּדִ֑י אֶ֤ל כָּל הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָב֣וֹא שָׁ֔מָּה אִמְרִי לִ֖י אָחִ֥י הֽוּא
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, This is your kindness which you shall do with me: at every place where we come there, say of me, He is my brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיְהִ֞יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol framing formula→ Wayyiqtol: narrative framing of temporal clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become, come to pass'; וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר introduces a temporal background narrative.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֧רwhenprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Temporal relative conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; with כְּ forms the temporal conjunction 'when/at the time that.'
הִתְע֣וּcaused me to wanderHiphil perf 3cp · תָּעָה (H8582)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective: completed divine act of leading into wanderingתָּעָה (H8582) Hiphil 'cause to wander, lead astray'; the Hiphil attributes Abraham's displacement from home to God's own leading.
אֹתִ֗י[obj] meobj marker + 1cs suf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffixאֵת (H853) with 1cs suffix; marks Abraham as the definite direct object of God's leading out.
אֱלֹהִים֮GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of הִתְעוּאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; Abraham attributes his wandering to divine direction — the call of Gen 12:1.
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Prepositional phrase of originבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the departure from the ancestral household marks the beginning of the pilgrim life.
אָבִי֒my fatherN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָב (H1)Genitival (object of construct)אָב (H1) 'father'; the reference to leaving the father's house echoes the call of Gen 12:1 — 'leave your land.'
וָאֹמַ֣רand I saidQal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence (Abraham's response)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; Abraham narrates his own speech to Sarah as part of the explanation.
לָ֔הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suf · לְIndirect objectלְ with 3fs suffix; marks Sarah as the recipient of Abraham's preemptive arrangement.
זֶ֣הthis [is]proximal dem m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of nominal clauseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative introduces the content of what Abraham asked of Sarah.
חַסְדֵּ֔ךְyour kindnessN m sg cstr + 2fs suf · חֶסֶד (H2617)Predicate nominativeחֶסֶד (H2617) 'covenant loyalty, kindness, devotion'; Abraham frames the deception as a חֶסֶד — Sarah's loyal service to him.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the relative clause defining what kindness is required of her.
תַּעֲשִׂ֖יyou shall doQal impf 2fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/imperfective — ongoing obligation in all future placesעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, act'; the imperfect expresses the standing obligation at every place they enter.
עִמָּדִ֑יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suf · עִמָּד (H5978)Relational prepositional phraseעִמָּד (H5978) 'with'; marks the relational context of the required loyal act — toward Abraham.
אֶ֤לto / atprep · אֶל (H413)Locative preposition (every-place)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; here locative — 'at every place where we come.'
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Totality noun (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; marks the universal scope of the arrangement — no exception.
הַמָּקוֹם֙the placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Genitival (object of construct)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, location'; the article denotes generic 'every place' as they travel through unfamiliar territory.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'where, that'; introduces the relative clause defining the universal location.
נָב֣וֹאwe comeQal impf 1cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal — generic future situations in all their travelsבּוֹא (H935) 'come, enter'; the 1cp imperfect covers every future destination on their wandering journey.
שָׁ֔מָּהthereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; the directional ה form שָׁמָּה marks the destination of each arrival.
אִמְרִיsay!Qal impv 2fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (imperative — the request)→ Volitional: Abraham's standing command to Sarahאָמַר (H559) 'say'; the 2fs imperative is the standing instruction Abraham gave Sarah at the journey's outset.
לִ֖יof meprep לְ + 1cs suf · לְReference prepositional phraseלְ with 1cs suffix; what Sarah is to say 'concerning me' — directing the claim toward Abraham.
אָחִ֥יmy brotherN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָח (H251)Predicate nominative (quoted speech)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the designation Sarah is instructed to apply to Abraham in every foreign place.
הֽוּאhe [is]3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 'he'; pronoun completes the nominal clause of the standing instruction.
14
וַיִּקַּ֨ח אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֗ר וַעֲבָדִים֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיָּ֣שֶׁב ל֔וֹ אֵ֖ת שָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ
And Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male servants and female servants and gave them to Abraham, and he restored to him Sarah his wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּקַּ֨חand he tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'take'; the act of taking gifts reverses the taking of Sarah in v.2 — restitution begins.
אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיִּקַּחאֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the king personally takes the initiative in making material restitution.
צֹ֣אןsheep / flocksN (c) sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object (first in series)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; the first and most basic wealth category in the gift.
וּבָקָ֗רand cattleconj וְ + N (c) sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Coordinated direct objectבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd animals'; the second wealth category; together with צֹאן covers livestock comprehensively.
וַעֲבָדִים֙and male servantsconj וְ + N m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Coordinated direct objectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave, male worker'; extending the gift beyond livestock to human labor.
וּשְׁפָחֹ֔תand female servantsconj וְ + N f pl abs · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Coordinated direct objectשִׁפְחָה (H8198) 'female servant, handmaid'; the female counterpart to עֶבֶד; a comprehensive restitution gift.
וַיִּתֵּ֖ןand he gaveQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'give, grant'; the act of giving constitutes the formal transfer of restitution gifts.
לְאַבְרָהָ֑םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Indirect objectאַבְרָהָם (H85); named explicitly as recipient, making the restitution a formal transaction to the patriarch.
וַיָּ֣שֶׁבand he restoredHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'cause to return, restore'; this is precisely the verb God commanded in v.7 — the demand has been obeyed.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect objectלְ with pronominal suffix; Abraham is the recipient of the most important return — his wife.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks שָׂרָה as the definite direct object of the restoration.
שָׂרָ֥הSarahproper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Direct object of restorationשָׂרָה (H8283) 'princess'; her restoration is the central act; gifts reinforce but do not replace it.
אִשְׁתּֽוֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to Sarahאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; the appositional label restores her public status as Abraham's legitimate wife.
15
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ הִנֵּ֥ה אַרְצִ֖י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ בַּטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ שֵֽׁב
And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it is good in your eyes."
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Abimelech's generous additional offer of land settlement.
אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); beyond the gifts, the king extends an open-ended invitation of territorial access.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; focuses attention on what the king is about to offer.
אַרְצִ֖יmy landN (c) sg cstr + 1cs suf · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of nominal clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, territory'; Abimelech offers Abraham access to the whole of his territorial domain.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 2ms suf · פָּנִים (H6440)Predicate prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; 'before your face' is an idiom for 'at your disposal' — full access offered.
בַּטּ֥וֹבwhere it is goodprep בְּ + art + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Adverbial phrase (circumstantial)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasing, favorable'; Abraham may choose the best location in the land.
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָin your eyesprep בְּ + N m dual cstr + 2ms suf · עַיִן (H5869)Evaluative prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'in your eyes' is the standard idiom for personal assessment and preference.
שֵֽׁבdwell!Qal impv 2ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (imperative invitation)→ Volitional: generous invitation to settle anywhereיָשַׁב (H3427) 'sit, dwell, settle'; the imperative extends unconditional hospitality for permanent settlement.
16
וּלְשָׂרָ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֜תִּי אֶ֤לֶף כֶּ֨סֶף֙ לְאָחִ֔יךְ הִנֵּ֤ה הוּא לָךְ֙ כְּס֣וּת עֵינַ֔יִם לְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֑ךְ וְאֵ֥ת כֹּ֖ל וְנֹכָֽחַת
And to Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given a thousand pieces of silver to your brother. Behold, it is for you a covering of eyes to all who are with you and before everyone, and you are vindicated."
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וּלְשָׂרָ֣הand to Sarahconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Topic-fronted prepositional phraseשָׂרָה (H8283) 'princess'; Abimelech now turns directly to address Sarah — a shift of forensic and social focus.
אָמַ֗רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act of formal public speechאָמַר (H559) 'say'; the perfective recounts Abimelech's speech as a completed formal declaration to Sarah.
הִנֵּ֨הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws Sarah's attention to the announcement that follows.
נָתַ֜תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (formal announcement)→ Perfective: gift declared as already accomplishedנָתַן (H5414) 'give, grant'; the perfective announces a completed gift — the silver payment is already made.
אֶ֤לֶףa thousandnumeral (c) sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Direct object (cardinal number)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; a thousand pieces of silver is a substantial public payment; cf. Num 3:50 for scale.
כֶּ֨סֶף֙pieces of silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitival noun (monetary denomination)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the standard medium of valuable payment in the patriarchal world.
לְאָחִ֔יךְto your brotherprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 2fs suf · אָח (H251)Indirect object (ironic appellation)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Abimelech's use of Sarah's own term 'your brother' carries implicit irony — the deception is acknowledged.
הִנֵּ֤הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (second statement)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; a second הִנֵּה pivots to the social meaning of the payment for Sarah herself.
הוּאit [is]3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 'it, he'; the pronoun refers to the silver payment — 'it is for you a covering of eyes.'
לָךְ֙for youprep לְ + 2fs suf · לְBenefactive prepositional phraseלְ with 2fs suffix; marks Sarah as the beneficiary of the covering/vindication the payment provides.
כְּס֣וּתa covering ofN f sg cstr · כְּסוּת (H3682)Predicate nominative (construct head)כְּסוּת (H3682) 'covering, veil'; from כָּסָה 'cover'; the idiom 'covering of eyes' means publicly clearing a reputation.
עֵינַ֔יִםeyesN (c) dual abs · עַיִן (H5869)Genitival (object of construct — idiom)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'covering of eyes' is an idiom for public vindication — others are made to overlook the matter.
לְכֹ֖לto allprep לְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Referential prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everyone'; the vindication is public and total — before every witness.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwho [are]relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which'; introduces the clause defining whose eyes the covering addresses.
אִתָּ֑ךְwith youprep אֵת + 2fs suf · אֵת (H854)Associative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; marks the circle of people in Sarah's social proximity whose perception the payment addresses.
וְאֵ֥תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conj + obj markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with conjunction; marks the following word as a second direct object.
כֹּ֖לall [people]N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (all witnesses)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everyone'; extends the vindication beyond Sarah's immediate circle to all onlookers.
וְנֹכָֽחַתand you are vindicatedconj וְ + Niphal ptc f sg abs · יָכַח (H3198)Predicate ptc (nominal clause, vindication)→ Participial: stative — she stands publicly clearedיָכַח (H3198) Niphal ptc 'be proved right, vindicated, reproved'; here Sarah is declared publicly cleared of suspicion.
17
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּרְפָּ֨א אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת אֲבִימֶ֧לֶךְ וְאֶת אִשְׁתּ֛וֹ וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יו וַיֵּלֵֽדוּ
And Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his female servants, and they bore children.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥לand he prayedHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּלַל (H6419)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּלַל (H6419) Hitpael 'intercede, pray'; the Hitpael denotes reflexive/earnest prayer; fulfills the role declared in v.7.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיִּתְפַּלֵּלאַבְרָהָם (H85); the patriarch functions as the prophet-intercessor God identified in v.7.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks God as the addressee of Abraham's intercessory prayer.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of prepositional phraseאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the article specifies the God who appeared in the dream — the same party addressed by Abimelech.
וַיִּרְפָּ֨אand he healedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָפָא (H7495)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָפָא (H7495) 'heal, restore'; the verb of healing is the narrative fulfillment of the promise 'he will pray and you shall live' (v.7).
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיִּרְפָּאאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; God is the immediate agent of healing — not Abraham's prayer in itself, but God's response.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks אֲבִימֶלֶךְ as first definite direct object of the healing.
אֲבִימֶ֧לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Direct object (first)אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the king himself is healed first — the one who faced the death-sentence in v.3.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conj + obj markerאֵת (H853) with conjunction; extends the scope of healing to the second object.
אִשְׁתּ֛וֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (second)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Abimelech's wife is healed too — the affliction had affected the entire household sexually.
וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יוand his female servantsconj וְ + N f pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָמָה (H519)Direct object (third)אָמָה (H519) 'maidservant, female slave'; the women of the household — all their wombs had been closed (v.18).
וַיֵּלֵֽדוּand they bore childrenQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָלַד (H3205)Wayyiqtol narrative sequence (result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'give birth, bear'; the 3mp refers to the women healed; restored fertility is the sign of complete healing.
18
כִּֽי עָצֹ֤ר עָצַר֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּעַ֥ד כָּל רֶ֖חֶם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ עַל דְּבַ֥ר שָׂרָ֖ה אֵ֥שֶׁת אַבְרָהָֽם
For Yahweh had completely closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (retrospective)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; the causal conjunction introduces the narrative explanation of what had afflicted Abimelech's house.
עָצֹ֤רcompletelyQal inf abs · עָצַר (H6113)Infinitive abs (emphatic intensification)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification of the finite verbעָצַר (H6113) Qal inf abs 'stopping'; the cognate inf abs מַגְבִּיל the finite verb into a solemn idiom of total closure.
עָצַר֙had closedQal perf 3ms · עָצַר (H6113)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed divine act of closure prior to healingעָצַר (H6113) 'restrain, shut up, close'; with inf abs forms the idiom 'had completely closed' every womb.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָצַריְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; the divine name appears here for the first time in the chapter, identifying the God of Israel as the agent.
בְּעַ֥דagainst / shutprep · בְּעַד (H1157)Directional prepositional phraseבְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, against, on behalf of'; here used with עָצַר to describe sealing shut every womb.
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Totality noun (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the totality noun emphasizes that the closure was comprehensive — no womb was exempt.
רֶ֖חֶםwombN m sg abs · רֶחֶם (H7358)Genitival (object of construct)רֶחֶם (H7358) 'womb, uterus'; the concrete term for the seat of fertility; its total closure is the sign of divine judgment.
לְבֵ֣יתof the house ofprep לְ + N m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Possessive prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household, dynasty'; the whole dynastic household — not merely Abimelech personally — was afflicted.
אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְAbimelechproper noun · אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40)Genitival (object of construct)אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (H40); the affliction centered on his royal household, making the threat to succession explicit.
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of'; introduces the explicit cause of the divine closure — the matter of Sarah.
דְּבַ֥רthe matter ofN m sg cstr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain head (reason)דָּבָר (H1697) 'matter, word, cause'; the construct phrase עַל-דְּבַר שָׂרָה is the standard idiom 'on account of Sarah.'
שָׂרָ֖הSarahproper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Genitival (object of construct)שָׂרָה (H8283) 'princess'; the chapter closes with Sarah's name — the whole crisis was ultimately about her protected status.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive construct (clarifying identity)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the construct appositive clarifies Sarah's identity — she is Abraham's wife, not merely his sister.
אַבְרָהָֽםAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitival (object of construct)אַבְרָהָם (H85); the chapter ends naming both patriarch and matriarch together, closing the narrative frame opened in v.1-2.