complete verse (Genesis 20:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 20:15:

  • Newari: “He said to Abraham — ‘This land is all mine. Stay wherever you like.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then he said to Abraham, ‘I am-willing to have- you (pl.) -stay in my land. You (pl.) stay wherever you (pl.) want.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And Abimelech said to him, ‘Look! All my land is here in front of you. Live in whatever place you like!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 20:15

Behold, my land is before you: Behold marks the calling of Abraham’s attention to the land, a land that Abraham is invited to share. Good News Translation renders this “Here is my whole land.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “Look, there is my country.”

Dwell where it pleases you is literally “where it is good in your eyes, live.” Note by way of contrast that in 12.19, when Sarah is returned by the king of Egypt, he says “here is your wife, take her and be gone.” The king of Gerar acts very differently. We may translate “live wherever you like” or “take whatever land you like and live there.”

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 .