Genesis 20:15

Gen 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

Ver. 15. Behold, my land.] This is the way to make a reproof work kindly, viz., to preserve still an opinion in the hearts of the reproved, that we love them nevertheless, and would do them any good.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Or, is at thy commandment.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

15. my land is before thee] Cf. Gen_13:9, Gen_34:10.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Abimelech said, behold, my whole land is before thee,.... Instead of bidding him be gone, and sending him away in haste out of his country, as the king of Egypt did in a like case, he solicits his stay in it; and to encourage him to it, makes an offer of his whole kingdom to him, to choose which part of it he would to dwell in:

dwell where it pleaseth thee; if there was anyone part of it better than another, or more convenient for him, his family and his flocks, he was welcome to it.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

My land is before thee, i.e. free for thy view and choice, as Gen 13:9.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. Literally, in the good in thine eyes; the generous Philistine offering him a settlement within his borders, whereas the Egyptian monarch hastened his departure from the country. (Gen_12:20)

HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD Vers. 15, 16.

Abraham and Abimelech at Gerar.

I THE UNIVERSALITY OF DIVINE GRACE. The varieties in moral state of nations a testimony to God"s forbearing mercy. There was evidently a great contrast between such people as dwelt under Abimelech"s rule and the cities of the plain, which helps us to see the extreme wickedness of the latter. It was probably no vain boast which the king-uttered when he spoke of "the integrity of his heart and innocency of his hands." Moreover, God appeared to him by dreams, and it is implied that he would have the greatest reverence for Jehovah"s prophet. Abraham testified the same; although he declared that the fear of God was not in the place, still he sojourned in Gerar, and after Lot"s experience he would not have done so unless he had believed it to be very different from Sodom.

II THE CHARACTER OF GOD"S CHILDREN IS NOT THE GROUND OF THEIR ACCEPTANCE WITH HIM. It is strange that the Egyptian experience should not have taught the patriarch simply to trust in God. But the imperfect faith justifies ; the grace of God alone sanctifies. The conduct of Abimelech is throughout honorable and straightforward. Abraham"s equivocation is not excusable. It sprang from fear, and it was no sudden error, but a deliberate policy which betokened weakness, to say the least.

III THE LORD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVIL. Abimelech"s character is a bright spot in the terrible picture of evil and its consequences. By the discipline of Providence the errors and follies of men are made the opportunities for learning God"s purposes and character. The contact of the less enlightened with the more enlightened, though it may humble both, gives room for Divine teaching and gracious bestowments. Again we are reminded "the prayer of a righteous man availeth much" not because he is himself righteous, but because he is the "channel of blessing to others, chosen of God"s free grace. R.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Abimelech said

"Abimelech said to Abraham"

Look

"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"

my land is before you

This is a way of saying "I make all of my land available to you" (See: Idiom)

Settle wherever it pleases you

"Live wherever you want"

a thousand

"1,000" (See: Numbers)

It is to cover any offense against you in the eyes of all that are with you

Giving money to prove to others that Sarah is innocent is spoken of as if he is placing a cover over an offense so no one can see it. AT: "I am giving this to him, so that those who are with you will know that you have done nothing wrong" (See: Metaphor)

in the eyes

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. AT: "in the opinion" or "in the judgement" (See: Metaphor)

before everyone, you are completely made right

The passive phrase "made right" can be stated in active form. AT: "everyone will know that you are innocent" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

Abimelech

Sarah

silver

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

הנה ארצי לפניך BEHOLD MY LAND IS BEFORE THEE — But Pharaoh had said to him (12:19) “Behold thy wife, take her and go”, because he feared for Sarah’s safety since the Egyptians were addicted to lewd practices (see Rashi on this passage).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.