Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. New Living Translation Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. English Standard Version So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. Berean Standard Bible Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified. Berean Literal Bible And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants, and he told all these words in their ears; and the men were exceedingly afraid. King James Bible Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. New King James Version So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. New American Standard Bible So Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants, and told all these things in their presence; and the people were greatly frightened. NASB 1995 So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened. NASB 1977 So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened. Legacy Standard Bible So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly afraid. Amplified Bible So Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things; and the men were terrified. Berean Annotated Bible Early the next morning Abimelech (my father is king) got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified. Christian Standard Bible Early in the morning Abimelech got up, called all his servants together, and personally told them all these things, and the men were terrified. Holman Christian Standard Bible Early in the morning Abimelech got up, called all his servants together, and personally told them all these things, and the men were terrified. American Standard Version And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Contemporary English Version Early the next morning Abimelech sent for his officials, and when he told them what had happened, they were frightened. English Revised Version And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. GOD'S WORD® Translation Early in the morning Abimelech called together all his officials. He told them about all of this, and they were terrified. Good News Translation Early the next morning Abimelech called all his officials and told them what had happened, and they were terrified. International Standard Version So Abimelech got up early the next morning, summoned all his servants, and told them all these things. The men became terrified. NET Bible Early in the morning Abimelech summoned all his servants. When he told them about all these things, they were terrified. New Heart English Bible Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were greatly afraid. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEarly the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified. World English Bible Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abimelech rises early in the morning, and calls for all his servants, and speaks all these words in their ears; and the men fear exceedingly; Berean Literal Bible And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants, and he told all these words in their ears; and the men were exceedingly afraid. Young's Literal Translation And Abimelech riseth early in the morning, and calleth for all his servants, and speaketh all these words in their ears; and the men fear exceedingly; Smith's Literal Translation And Abimelech will rise early in the morning, and will call to all his servants, and will speak all these words in their ears: and the men shall be greatly afraid. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Abimelech forthwith rising up in the night, called all his servants: and spoke all these words in their hearing, and all the men were exceedingly afraid. Catholic Public Domain Version And immediately Abimelech, rising up in the night, called all his servants. And he spoke all these words in their hearing, and all the men were very afraid. New American Bible Early the next morning Abimelech called all his servants and informed them of everything that had happened, and the men were filled with fear. New Revised Standard Version So Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants and told them all these things; and the men were very much afraid. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore Abimeleck rose early in the morning and called all of his servants and told them all these words; and the men were exceedingly afraid. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abimelek arose early at dawn and he called all his Servants and he spoke all these words in their ears, and the men were very afraid. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears; and the men were sore afraid. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and he spoke all these words in their ears, and all the men feared exceedingly. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech…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.” 8Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”… Cross References Early the next morning Genesis 19:27 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Genesis 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. Abimelech got up Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and embraced Mary as his wife. Joshua 6:12 Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD. and summoned all his servants; Daniel 2:2 So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” and when he described to them all that had happened, Genesis 24:66 Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done. Exodus 18:8 Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. the men were terrified. Genesis 45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. Genesis 42:28 “My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack.” Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” Genesis 12:17-20 The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. / So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? / Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” … Genesis 26:9-11 Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.” / “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” / So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.” Exodus 9:20-21 Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter, / but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field. Exodus 12:30-33 During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead. / Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” … 1 Samuel 5:8-12 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. / But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. / So they sent the ark of God to Ekron, but as it arrived, the Ekronites cried out, “They have brought us the ark of the God of Israel in order to kill us and our people!” … 1 Samuel 6:2-9 the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.” / They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.” / “What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. … Treasury of Scripture Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Jump to Previous Abimelech Abim'elech Afraid Ear Early Ears Exceedingly Fear Frightened Full Greatly Hearing Morning Officials Riseth Rose Scared Servants Sore Speaketh Summoned Word WordsJump to Next Abimelech Abim'elech Afraid Ear Early Ears Exceedingly Fear Frightened Full Greatly Hearing Morning Officials Riseth Rose Scared Servants Sore Speaketh Summoned Word WordsGenesis 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. Early the next morning This phrase indicates promptness and urgency in Abimelech's actions. In biblical narratives, early morning often signifies a time of important activity or divine encounter (e.g., Genesis 19:27, Exodus 24:4). It reflects Abimelech's immediate response to God's warning in a dream, showing his fear of God and desire to rectify the situation quickly. Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants and when he described to them all that had happened the men were terrified Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe king of Gerar, who unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his household, believing she was Abraham's sister. 2. Abraham The patriarch who, out of fear for his life, misled Abimelech by claiming Sarah was his sister. 3. Sarah Abraham's wife, who was taken by Abimelech due to Abraham's deception. 4. Gerar The region where Abimelech ruled and where this event took place. 5. God's Warning God appeared to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the truth about Sarah and the consequences of keeping her. Teaching Points The Consequences of Fear and DeceptionAbraham's fear led to deception, which almost brought disaster upon Abimelech and his household. Fear can lead us away from trusting God and into sin. God's Sovereign Protection Despite human failings, God intervenes to protect His covenant promises. This reassures us of His faithfulness even when we falter. The Importance of Integrity Abimelech's response to God's warning shows the importance of integrity and immediate action when confronted with truth. The Role of Accountability Abimelech's gathering of his servants to inform them of the situation highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in leadership. Responding to God's Warnings Abimelech's fear and subsequent actions demonstrate a proper response to divine warnings, emphasizing the need for obedience and reverence. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 20:8?2. How does Genesis 20:8 demonstrate the importance of immediate obedience to God's warnings? 3. What can we learn from Abimelech's response to God's revelation in Genesis 20:8? 4. How does Genesis 20:8 connect to themes of repentance found in the New Testament? 5. In what ways can we apply Abimelech's urgency to our spiritual lives today? 6. How does the fear of God influence the actions of Abimelech's servants? 7. Why did Abimelech fear God after hearing Abraham's explanation in Genesis 20:8? 8. How does Genesis 20:8 demonstrate God's protection over Abraham and Sarah? 9. What does Genesis 20:8 reveal about the moral standards of Abimelech's people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 20? 11. Is there any archaeological or historical evidence to support the presence of Abimelech or a kingdom in Gerar at the time of Genesis 20? 12. How do we reconcile the figure called Abimelech here (Genesis 26:8) with the Abimelech who interacted with Abraham generations earlier? 13. Where is the historical or archaeological evidence for the well at Beersheba mentioned in Genesis 21:25-31? 14. On what historical basis can we trust the attribution of Psalm 34 to David when some scholars question the accuracy of biblical authorship claims? What Does Genesis 20:8 Mean Early the next morning“Early the next morning…” • Immediate obedience marks genuine repentance. Abimelech does not wait to see whether the divine warning of Genesis 20:3–7 will fade; he acts without delay—echoing Abram’s earlier morning visit after Sodom’s judgment (Genesis 19:27) and David’s eagerness to seek God at dawn (Psalm 5:3). • Early rising in Scripture often signals urgency before God (Exodus 9:13; Mark 1:35). Here it underscores that God’s word demands timely response rather than procrastination. Abimelech got up “…Abimelech got up…” • The king himself rises; he does not delegate the matter. Personal responsibility sits on every leader (James 4:17; 1 Samuel 15:24–25 shows the danger of passing blame). • Getting up also pictures moving from the night of ignorance into morning light—literally and spiritually. God’s revelation in the dream brings him to his feet, just as Pharaoh will later stand to act on Joseph’s interpretation (Genesis 41:14). Summoned all his servants “…and summoned all his servants;…” • A righteous leader gathers those under his charge, mirroring Pharaoh’s gathering in Genesis 12:18 when Abram’s similar deception threatened Egypt. • Leadership involves informing and protecting the whole household (Joshua 24:15). Abimelech’s court must share responsibility because sin’s consequences reach beyond the individual (Exodus 20:5). • By calling “all” his servants, he models transparency, avoiding secretive cover-ups that would have compounded guilt. He described to them all that had happened “…and when he described to them all that had happened,…” • Nothing is withheld; Abimelech recounts “all.” Truth-telling is vital when sin or potential judgment is involved (Acts 20:20; Proverbs 28:13). • His candor mirrors Joshua’s demand for full confession from Achan (Joshua 7:19). Concealment would invite further wrath; disclosure opens the door for communal repentance and restitution toward Abraham (Genesis 20:14–16). The men were terrified “…the men were terrified.” • Fear of God sweeps the court—evidence that conscience still works among Gentiles (Romans 2:14–15). Recognition of divine holiness rightly produces trembling (Psalm 119:120; Acts 5:11). • Their terror contrasts with Abraham’s earlier fear of man that fueled his deception (Genesis 20:11). The narrative thus turns expectations: pagans fear God more than the patriarch feared God’s ability to protect him. • Holy dread prepares hearts for decisive, corrective action (Proverbs 9:10). This fear will motivate Abimelech to restore Sarah and lavish gifts on Abraham, averting judgment (Genesis 20:14–18). summary Genesis 20:8 portrays a pagan king who responds promptly, personally, transparently, and communally to God’s warning, producing a healthy fear of the Lord among his household. The verse models how acknowledgment of sin and swift obedience can halt impending judgment and restore right standing before God and man. Verse 8 - Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, - an evidence of the terror into which' he had been cast by the Divine communication, and of his earnest desire to carry out the Divine instructions - and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: - confessed his fault, explained his danger, and affirmed his intention to repair his error; a proof of the humility of this God-fearing king (Lange) - and the men were sere afraid. It spoke well for the king's household that they received the communication with seriousness.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Early the next morningבַּבֹּ֗קֶר (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name got up וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם (way·yaš·kêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning and summoned וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read all לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his servants; עֲבָדָ֔יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant and when he described to them וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר (way·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every that הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those had happened, הַדְּבָרִ֥ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause the men הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person were terrified. וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ (way·yî·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten Links Genesis 20:8 NIVGenesis 20:8 NLT Genesis 20:8 ESV Genesis 20:8 NASB Genesis 20:8 KJV Genesis 20:8 BibleApps.com Genesis 20:8 Biblia Paralela Genesis 20:8 Chinese Bible Genesis 20:8 French Bible Genesis 20:8 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 20:8 Abimelech rose early in the morning (Gen. 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