Introduction to Genesis 20:1: Abraham’s Movement into Foreign Territory
Genesis 20:1 opens a new episode in the Abrahamic narrative, depicting his movement toward the Negev region and his temporary residence in Gerar, the Philistine territory ruled by Abimelek. The key verb וַיָּגָר (“and he sojourned”) does more than describe geographic relocation—it carries legal, social, and theological weight. This analysis focuses on וַיָּגָר, a term that consistently marks the status of a non-native dweller—a theme central to the identity of the patriarchs.
וַיִּסַּ֨ע מִשָּׁ֤ם אַבְרָהָם֙ אַ֣רְצָה הַנֶּ֔גֶב וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בֵּין־קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֣ין שׁ֑וּר וַיָּ֖גָר בִּגְרָֽר׃
Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
וַיִּסַּ֨ע מִשָּׁ֤ם אַבְרָהָם֙ אַ֣רְצָה הַנֶּ֔גֶב
- וַיִּסַּע (vayyissaʿ) – “And he journeyed” (Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of נָסַע, to pull up [tent pegs], to set out).
- מִשָּׁם (miššām) – “from there.”
- אַבְרָהָם (ʾAvraham) – “Abraham.”
- אַרְצָה הַנֶּגֶב (ʾartzah ha-negev) – “to the land of the Negev” (directional ה־ on אֶרֶץ, “land”).
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בֵּין־קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֣ין שׁ֑וּר
- וַיֵּשֶׁב (vayyēshev) – “and he settled” (Qal wayyiqtol of יָשַׁב, “to dwell”).
- בֵּין־קָדֵשׁ וּבֵין שׁוּר – “between Qadesh and between Shur.”
וַיָּ֖גָר בִּגְרָֽר
- וַיָּגָר (vayyāgar) – “and he sojourned” (Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of גּוּר, “to sojourn, reside as a foreigner”).
- בִּגְרָר (bi-Gərar) – “in Gerar.”
Grammatical Analysis of וַיָּגָר
The verb וַיָּגָר is derived from the root גּוּר (gūr), meaning “to sojourn, dwell temporarily, reside as an outsider or alien.” It appears here in the Qal stem, wayyiqtol form, 3rd person masculine singular, indicating narrative sequential action—Abraham’s next move after settling in the Negev region.
- Root: גּוּר (g-w-r)
- Form: Qal wayyiqtol (imperfect consecutive)
- Person: 3rd masculine singular
- Translation: “And he sojourned” or “he resided as a foreigner.”
Lexical and Theological Significance of גּוּר
1. The “Sojourner” as a Legal Category
In ancient Israelite law and social identity, the גֵּר (gēr)—”sojourner, alien”—was a recognized figure with specific rights and vulnerabilities:
- Leviticus 19:34 – “The sojourner who dwells with you shall be to you as the native among you.”
- Deuteronomy 10:18 – “God loves the gēr, giving him food and clothing.”
Though Abraham is not called a גֵּר here explicitly, the verb וַיָּגָר implies that he is a foreigner, without legal ownership or tribal inheritance in Gerar. It portrays him as vulnerable, yet moving by faith.
2. The Patriarchs as Sojourners
“Sojourning” is a thematic marker for the patriarchal experience. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all live as non-native dwellers, navigating foreign lands under divine promise yet without territorial possession.
This status reinforces the tension between:
- Divine promise of land (Genesis 12:7), and
- Actual experience of alienation and displacement (Genesis 23:4 – “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you”).
Poetic and Narrative Function
The use of וַיָּגָר at the end of the verse serves to close the sequence of movement and transition. After traveling and settling, Abraham’s action of “sojourning” in Gerar marks a temporary and uncertain dwelling, preparing the reader for the episode with Abimelek, which tests Abraham’s identity, ethics, and divine protection.
The Role of וַיָּגָר in Genesis 20:1
The verb וַיָּגָר is not simply a narrative marker of location. It establishes Abraham’s status as a non-citizen, a man living in liminal spaces, neither at home nor in full possession of the land promised to him. It reflects:
- Legal vulnerability: Abraham is subject to the customs and rulers of a foreign land.
- Theological tension: God has promised the land, yet Abraham remains a sojourner.
- Literary progression: The story transitions from peaceful settlement to conflict and testing.
Key Takeaways:
- Grammatically: וַיָּגָר is Qal wayyiqtol, 3ms from גּוּר, meaning “he sojourned.”
- Lexically: It conveys temporary residence, alien status, and social marginality.
- Contextually: It sets up Abraham’s encounter with Abimelek and his continued role as a pilgrim awaiting fulfillment.
In Genesis 20:1, וַיָּגָר reminds us that Abraham—the father of nations—is still a wanderer. He lives in faith, not in fulfillment. His sojourning becomes a metaphor for the life of trust, lived in between promise and possession.
