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Genesis 20:3 - Divine dream warns king.

Genesis 20:3 - בראשית 20:3

Hebrew Text

וַיָּבֹא אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אֲבִימֶלֶךְ בַּחֲלוֹם הַלָּיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הִנְּךָ מֵת עַל־הָאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר־לָקַחְתָּ וְהִוא בְּעֻלַת בָּעַל׃

English Translation

But God came to Avimelekh in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken, for she is a man’s wife.

Transliteration

Va'yavo Elohim el-Avimelekh ba'chalom halayla va'yomer lo hine'kha met al-ha'isha asher-lakachta ve'hi be'ulat ba'al.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּבֹ֧א אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶל־אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בַּחֲל֣וֹם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ הִנְּךָ֥ מֵת֙ עַל־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־לָקַ֔חְתָּ וְהִ֖וא בְּעֻ֥לַת בָּֽעַל׃
וַיָּבֹ֧א אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶל־אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בַּחֲל֣וֹם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ הִנְּךָ֥ מֵת֙ עַל־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־לָקַ֔חְתָּ וְהִ֖וא בְּעֻ֥לַת בָּֽעַל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 20:3) occurs when Avimelekh, king of Gerar, takes Sarah after Avraham introduces her as his sister. Hashem appears to Avimelekh in a dream to warn him of the severe consequences of his actions, as Sarah is actually Avraham’s wife.

Rashi’s Explanation

Rashi explains that Hashem’s warning to Avimelekh—"הִנְּךָ מֵת" ("Behold, thou art a dead man")—was not an immediate decree of death but a warning that he would die if he did not rectify his mistake. Rashi notes that Avimelekh had not yet sinned with Sarah, as the verse states, "וְהִוא בְּעֻלַת בָּעַל" ("for she is a man’s wife"), meaning she was still untouched. This demonstrates Hashem’s mercy in giving Avimelekh a chance to repent.

Rambam on Divine Communication

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:3) discusses prophecy and dreams, explaining that Hashem communicates with non-Jews (like Avimelekh) in dreams rather than through direct prophecy, which is reserved for Jews. This aligns with the verse, where Hashem appears to Avimelekh in a dream rather than in a waking vision.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (52:5): The Midrash emphasizes that Avimelekh was held accountable despite his ignorance because, as a king, he should have investigated Sarah’s status before taking her. This teaches the principle of שִׂים לִבְּךָ לִדְבָרִים ("pay attention to matters")—leaders must act with due diligence.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeira 8): The phrase "בַּחֲלוֹם הַלָּיְלָה" ("in a dream by night") hints that Avimelekh’s moral clarity was obscured, like the darkness of night, until Hashem illuminated the truth for him.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 57a) derives from this episode that non-Jews are also subject to the prohibition of adultery, one of the seven Noahide laws. Avimelekh’s dream serves as a warning against violating this universal moral law.

Moral Lessons

  • Divine Justice: Even a powerful king like Avimelekh is accountable for his actions, showing that no one is above moral law.
  • Repentance: Avimelekh’s immediate response—returning Sarah and making restitution—demonstrates the importance of teshuvah (repentance) when one realizes their error.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Kamma 92a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the consequences of taking another man's wife, illustrating the severity of the sin.
📖 Sanhedrin 57b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the Noahide laws, particularly regarding the prohibition of adultery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did God appear to Avimelech in a dream?
A: God appeared to Avimelech in a dream to warn him that he had unknowingly taken Sarah, who was married to Avraham. According to Rashi, this shows that God protects the righteous (Avraham and Sarah) even when they are in difficult situations, and He intervenes to prevent injustice.
Q: What does 'for she is a man’s wife' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'for she is a man’s wife' (in Hebrew, 'בְּעֻלַת בָּעַל') means that Sarah was legally married to Avraham. The Talmud (Ketubot 58a) explains that taking a married woman is a serious transgression, and Avimelech was held accountable even though he acted unknowingly.
Q: Why was Avimelech punished if he didn’t know Sarah was married?
A: According to Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 1:7), even unintentional wrongdoing can have consequences. Avimelech was held responsible because he should have investigated whether Sarah was married before taking her. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 52:5) adds that God’s warning was also a merciful act, giving Avimelech a chance to correct his mistake.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this story?
A: This story teaches the importance of moral vigilance. Even if someone acts without full knowledge, they must still take responsibility for their actions. Additionally, it shows God’s protection over the righteous (Avraham and Sarah) and His justice in preventing wrongdoing, as explained by Rashi and other commentators.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish marriage laws?
A: This verse reinforces the sanctity of marriage in Jewish law (Halacha). The Torah strictly forbids adultery, and even a king like Avimelech was held accountable. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) discusses this case as an example of the universal prohibition against taking another man’s wife, applicable to all nations under the Noahide laws.