Bible Strands
Genesis 20:15
And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abimelech addresses Abraham and Sarah immediately after returning Sarah and gifting livestock and servants. He declares his territory open for their unrestricted settlement.
The words — אַרְצִ֖י לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ (ar.Tz/i le./fa.Nei./kha) literally means "my land [is] before you," and שֵֽב\׃ (Shev) commands "dwell."
The thread — The text explicitly grants territorial access in Genesis 13:9, Genesis 34:10, and Genesis 47:6. These passages consistently record rulers or hosts offering open land to displaced families as a form of accommodation.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to note a political concession that resolves a prior diplomatic breach. It establishes a pattern where displaced kin receive unrestricted settlement rights as a formal guarantee of peace.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
Cross-references
- Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
- Genesis 34:10 You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”
- Genesis 47:6 the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”