In verses 4-6 Abimelech is presented as acting innocently and not in the evil manner often regarded as typical of Canaanite rulers.

Now Abimelech had not approached her: Revised Standard Version Now, which translates the Hebrew connective, marks a transition to an explanation of Abimelech’s relation to Sarah, which in turn forms the basis for Abimelech’s defense in his reply to God. We may also translate with a contrast such as “But,” “Nevertheless,” “However.”

Had not approached her is a figurative way of saying he had not had sexual relations with Sarah. Most languages have no difficulty expressing this idea in a figurative or indirect manner; typical expressions are “had not gone near her” and “had not touched her” (see verse 6). In some languages it will be more natural to begin the quote in what is the narrator’s statement; for example, “So Abimelech said to the Lord, ‘I have not come near her; will you kill…?’ ”

Lord, wilt thou slay an innocent people?: Abimelech addresses God as ʾadonai. For comments see 15.2. Abimelech’s question is similar to Abraham’s plea for the deliverance of Sodom in 18.23: “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty?” Innocent translates the Hebrew adjective most often rendered “righteous.” The particular sense in this context is right, guiltless, innocent; it refers to the fact that Abimelech has not had relations with Sarah and so is innocent of wrongdoing in that regard.

Scholars differ in their interpretation of the Hebrew term goy, translated people. Speiser holds that the word has resulted from a copyist’s error, and that the king is speaking only of himself. Von Rad, on the other hand, says “and not only him, for all his subjects collectively are caught with him in very great danger, liable to be drawn with him into a catastrophe.” Both meanings are found in modern versions; for example, “Lord, will you destroy people who are innocent?” (Revised English Bible) and “Lord, my people and I are innocent. Are you going to destroy us anyway?” (Bible en français courant). These may be compared with New Jerusalem Bible “Lord, would you kill someone even if he is upright?” and New American Bible “O Lord, would you slay a man even though he is innocent?” Translators are free to follow the singular or the plural, and the difference in meaning is probably not sufficient to warrant adding a footnote.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .