Genèse 20

¹ Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar,

² Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

³ One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

⁴ Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?

⁵ Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

⁶ Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

⁷ Now 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.”

Note · Genèse 20.1–7

Une intervention avant l’irréparable

Abimélec reçoit un avertissement avant d’avoir eu de relation avec Sara. Son intégrité est reconnue dans le cadre de ce qu’il savait. La menace divine n’efface donc pas la question de la connaissance et de la responsabilité : le récit prend au sérieux la différence entre tromper et être trompé.

⁸ 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.

⁹ Then 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.”

¹⁰ Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”

¹¹ Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’

¹² Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife.

¹³ So when God had me journey from my father’s house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is how you can show your loyalty to me: Wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

Note · Genèse 20.8–13

Une justification qui ne résout pas la tromperie

Abraham explique sa peur et le lien familial réel qui l’unit à Sara. Une information partielle peut pourtant servir à cacher la relation décisive. Sa présomption concernant les habitants de Guérar ne suffit pas à rendre juste le risque imposé à Sara et à la maison d’Abimélec.

¹⁴ So Abimelech brought sheep and cattle, menservants and maidservants, and he gave them to Abraham and restored his wife Sarah to him.

¹⁵ And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”

¹⁶ And he said to Sarah, “See, I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is your vindication before all who are with you; you are completely cleared.”

¹⁷ Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children—

¹⁸ for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

Note · Genèse 20.14–18

Restituer et prier

Abimélec restitue Sara et accompagne ce geste de dons ; Abraham prie pour sa maison. Le prophète peut être appelé à intercéder alors même qu’il a besoin d’être repris. Le trouble de la fécondité dans cet épisode ne donne pas une explication générale de l’infertilité ni le droit d’y chercher une faute cachée.