Three Occurrences of Deception in the Book of Genesis:
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February 16, 2022
G.D.O'Bradovich III
Certain scholars interpret the appearance of duplicate passages, inexact repetitions, and similar stories as examples of either scribal errors or the slipshod work of thoughtless redactors. However, the careful reader would do well to compare the passages to discern what is omitted or added to the various versions to verify that the stories are, in fact, similar and not only on the surface narrative. The unstated premise of the careful reading of Scripture is that there is nothing superfluous in the Biblical text and inexact repetitions are one method of conveying certain insights to the astute reader.
The Gentle Reader may find the this list of 235 duplicate passages to be of interest.
The Gentle Reader may find the this list of 235 duplicate passages to be of interest.
Abram and Pharoah
Genesis 12:10-20
Genesis 12:10-20
And there was a famine in the land [Canaan, v. 5] and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn [H1481 gûr] there, for the famine was grievous in the land. Genesis 12:10
The repetition of “famine” suggests that the famine was also in Egypt, as it “was grievous in the land” should refer the the last proper noun, Egypt.
The KJV translates Strong's H1481, a verb, as: sojourn (58), dwell (12), afraid (6), stranger (6), gather together (4), fear (3), abide (2), assemble (1), stand in awe (1), gathered (1), inhabitant (1), remain (1), sojourners (1), surely (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H1481, a verb, as: sojourn (58), dwell (12), afraid (6), stranger (6), gather together (4), fear (3), abide (2), assemble (1), stand in awe (1), gathered (1), inhabitant (1), remain (1), sojourners (1), surely (1).
And it came to pass, when he [Abram, v. 10] was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, “Behold, now, I know [Nunc Scio] that thou art a fair woman to look upon. Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, ‘This is his wife’ and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake and my soul shall live because of thee.”
Genesis 12:11-13
Abram asks his wife Sarai to state that she is his sister. Up to this point, there is no indication in the Biblical text that she is Abram’s sister. Abram assumes the Godless and bloodthirty Egyptians will murder him to possess his wife.
And it came to pass that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman [Sarai, v. 11] that she was very fair. Genesis 12:14
The Egyptians confirm Abram’s opinion that Sarai is attractive.
The princes also of Pharaoh saw her and commended her before Pharaoh and the woman [Sarai, v. 11] was taken into Pharaoh's house. Genesis 12:15
It seems unlikely that all travelers through Egypt, as terms of their visit, must be paraded before the princes. The princes gawking at desirable women is a strange custom and no serious comment is necessary.
And he [Pharaoh, v. 15] entreated Abram well for her sake and he had [1] sheep and [2] oxen and [3] he asses and [4] menservants and [5] maidservants and [6] she asses and [7] camels. Genesis 12:16
It seems that the reader is to be impressed that the King of Egypt possesses many valuable assets.
And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. Genesis 12:17
In the Egyptian language, the word Pharaoh, “per aAy”, means “Great House”, so to mention “Pharaoh” and “his house” suggests that the whoever recorded this story was unaware of this fact and presumed “Pharaoh” was a proper title and not a euphemism. The Bible states that Sarai is Abram’s wife.
The Bible does not mention these “great plagues”, yet the Gentle Reader may speculate on the nature of these unnamed plagues [cf. Exodus 7:14-12:36].
The Bible does not mention these “great plagues”, yet the Gentle Reader may speculate on the nature of these unnamed plagues [cf. Exodus 7:14-12:36].
And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me that she [Sarai, v. 17] was thy wife? Why saidst thou, ‘She is my sister?’ so I might have taken her to me to wife? Now, therefore, behold thy wife, take her and go thy way.” And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him [Abram, v. 18] and they sent him away and his wife [Sarai, v. 17] and all that he had. Genesis 12:18-20
It seems that Pharaoh sends Abram away with the list found in verse sixteen. This is similar to when the Israelites left Egypt and “borrowed” “jewels of silver” and “jewels of gold” from the Egyptians [Exodus 12:35].
Abraham and Ambimelech
Genesis 20:1-18
Genesis 20:1-18
And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country and dwelled [H3427 yāšaḇ] between Kadesh and Shur and sojourned [H1481 gûr] in Gerar. Genesis 20:1
The KJV translates Strong's H3427, a verb, as: dwell (437), inhabitant (221), sit (172), abide (70), inhabit (39), down (26), remain (23), in (22), tarry (19), set (14), continue (5), place (7), still (5), taken (5), miscellaneous (23).
The KJV translates Strong's H1481, a verb, as: sojourn (58), dwell (12), afraid (6), stranger (6), gather together (4), fear (3), abide (2), assemble (1), stand in awe (1), gathered (1), inhabitant (1), remain (1), sojourners (1), surely (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H1481, a verb, as: sojourn (58), dwell (12), afraid (6), stranger (6), gather together (4), fear (3), abide (2), assemble (1), stand in awe (1), gathered (1), inhabitant (1), remain (1), sojourners (1), surely (1).
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister” and Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent and took Sarah. Genesis 20:2
Once again, Abraham misleads a ruler concerning Abraham’s relationship with Sarah. Abimelech takes Sarah, not the expected wording of either “his sister” or “the woman”.
But God [H430 ĕlōhîm] came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman [Sarah, v. 2] which thou hast taken, for she is a man's wife.” Genesis 20:3
To insure Abimelech’s undivided attention, God threatens Abimelech with death.
But Abimelech had not come near her [Sarah, v. 2] and he said, “Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?” Genesis 20:4
Abimelech’s question is not answered in the passage under consideration.
“Said he [Abraham, v. 2] not unto me, ‘She [Sarah, v. 2] is my sister’ and she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’? In the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands, have I done this.” Genesis 20:5
In the dream, Abimelech tells God that Abraham and Sarah confirmed that they were siblings, not spouses. Abimelech proclaims that his intentions were neither deceitful nor ignoble.
And God [H430, 'ĕlōhîm] said unto him [Abimelech, v. 3] in a dream, “Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart, for I also withheld thee from sinning against me. Therefore, suffered I thee not to touch her [Sarah, v. 2]. Now, therefore [H5921], restore the man his wife, for he is a prophet and he shall pray for thee and thou shalt live and if thou restore her [Sarah, v. 2] not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine.” Genesis 20:6-7
God states that he “withheld” Abimelech from “sinning”. Abraham praying for Abimelech will insure that Abimelech will live. God threatens not only Abimelech’s life, but “all that are thine.”
Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their ears and the men were sore afraid. Genesis 20:8
The servants were “sore afraid” and from the context, it is not clear if they are fearful of death itself or the irrational threats of God.
Then Abimelech called Abraham and said unto him, “What hast thou done unto us? And what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great [H14919 gāḏôl] sin [H2401 ḥăṭā'â] ? Thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.” Genesis 20:9
Abimelech tells Abraham that Abraham has done things that should not be done. It is not possible to determine to Abraham should not have done these things to a King or to another man.
The KJV translates the adjective, Strong's H1419, as: great (397), high (22), greater (19), loud (9), greatest (9), elder (8), great man (8), mighty (7), eldest (6), miscellaneous (44).
The KJV translates the feminine noun, Strong's H2401, as: sin (7), sin offering (1).
The KJV translates the adjective, Strong's H1419, as: great (397), high (22), greater (19), loud (9), greatest (9), elder (8), great man (8), mighty (7), eldest (6), miscellaneous (44).
The KJV translates the feminine noun, Strong's H2401, as: sin (7), sin offering (1).
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, “What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?” And Abraham said, “Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place and they will slay me for my wife's [Sarah, v. 2] sake. And yet indeed she [Sarah, v. 2] is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother and she became my wife.”
Genesis 20:10-12
Like many modern Christians, Abraham makes assumptions about the lack of the fear of God “in this place” and from the story, he is shown to be mistaken. Abraham explains to Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, the daughter of his father. Abraham commits a lie of omission to distort reality.
“And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, ‘This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me: at every place whither we shall come, say of me, ‘He is my brother.’” And Abimelech took [1] sheep and [2] oxen and [3] menservants and [4] womenservants and gave them unto Abraham and restored him Sarah his wife.
Genesis 20:13-14
Abimelech rewards Abraham for his poor behavior.
And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before thee. Dwell where it pleaseth thee.” And unto Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given thy brother [Abraham, v. 14] a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee and with all other.” Thus, she [Sarah, v. 16] was reproved [H3198 yāḵaḥ] Genesis 20:15-16
By giving him a thousand pieces of silver, Abimelech rewards Abraham for his deceit. It is not certain why Sarah was reprimanded by Abimelech.
The KJV translates Strong's H3198 as: reprove (23), rebuke (12), correct (3), plead (3), reason (2), chasten (2), reprover (with H376) (2), appointed (1), arguing (1), miscellaneous (9).
The KJV translates Strong's H3198 as: reprove (23), rebuke (12), correct (3), plead (3), reason (2), chasten (2), reprover (with H376) (2), appointed (1), arguing (1), miscellaneous (9).
So Abraham prayed unto God [H430 'ĕlōhîm] and God [H430 'ĕlōhîm] healed [H7495 rāp̄ā'] Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants and they bare children. For the LORD [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Genesis 20:17-18
Jehovah prevented the house of Abimelech from having children, but Abraham prayed to God and God “healed” the women in Abimelech’s company.
The KJV translates Strong's H7495, a verb, as: heal (57), physician (5), cure (1), repaired (1), miscellaneous (3).
The KJV translates Strong's H7495, a verb, as: heal (57), physician (5), cure (1), repaired (1), miscellaneous (3).
isaac and ambimelech
Genesis 26:1-33
Genesis 26:1-33
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham, and Isaac went unto Abimelech, King of the Philistines, unto Gerar. Genesis 26:1
Text refers to the previous famine [Genesis 12:10]. Like his father Abraham, Isaac travels to Gerar.
And the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] appeared unto him [Isaac, v. 1] and said, “Go not down into Egypt. Dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of. Sojourn [H1481gûr] in this land and I will be with thee and will bless thee, for unto thee and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries [H776 'ereṣ] and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars [H3556 kôḵāḇ] of heaven and will give unto thy seed all these countries [H776 'ereṣ] and in thy seed shall all the nations [H1471 gôy] of the earth be blessed. Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments [H4687 miṣvâ], my statutes [H2708 ḥuqqâ], and my laws [H8451 tôrâ] .” Genesis 26:2-5
Since the current members of the tribes of Judah, Levi, and Benjamin do not exceed “the stars of heaven”, the remaining tribes, which are lost to history, must be numerically enormous. This conclusion is premised upon the belief that the promise of Jehovah has been fulfilled, yet, the possibility remains that the prophecy remains unfulfilled, but will be fulfilled in the fullness of time.
The KJV translates Strong's H3556, masculine noun, as: star (36), stargazers (with H2374) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H776, a feminine noun, as: land (1,543), earth (712), country (140), ground (98), world (4), way (3), common (1), field (1), nations (1), wilderness (with H4057) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H1471, a masculine noun, as: nation (374), heathen (143), Gentiles (30), people (11).
The KJV translates Strong's H4687, a feminine noun, as: commandments (177), precept (4), commanded (2), law (1), ordinances (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H2708, a feminine noun, as: statute (77), ordinance (22), custom (2), appointed (1), manners (1), rites (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H8451, as feminine noun, as: law (219).
The editors of the KJV consistently translate H8451 as “law”.
The KJV translates Strong's H3556, masculine noun, as: star (36), stargazers (with H2374) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H776, a feminine noun, as: land (1,543), earth (712), country (140), ground (98), world (4), way (3), common (1), field (1), nations (1), wilderness (with H4057) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H1471, a masculine noun, as: nation (374), heathen (143), Gentiles (30), people (11).
The KJV translates Strong's H4687, a feminine noun, as: commandments (177), precept (4), commanded (2), law (1), ordinances (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H2708, a feminine noun, as: statute (77), ordinance (22), custom (2), appointed (1), manners (1), rites (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H8451, as feminine noun, as: law (219).
The editors of the KJV consistently translate H8451 as “law”.
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar and the men of the place [Gerer, v. 6] asked him [Isaac, v. 26] of his wife [Rebekah, v. 7] and he said, “She is my sister”, for he feared to say, “She is my wife, lest”, said he, “the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah”; because she was fair to look upon. Genesis 26:6-7
Once again, a Biblical character believes that their life is in danger because of his attractive wife. Isaac deceives the men and tells them that Rebekah is his sister.
And it came to pass, when he [Isaac, v. 26] had been there a long time, that Abimelech, King of the Philistines, looked out at a window and saw and, behold, Isaac was sporting [H6711 צָחַק ṣāḥaq] with Rebekah his wife. Genesis 26:8
The primary difficulty of correctly intepreting the King James Bible version is that one needs to study the archaic wording, such as “reprove” and “sporting”, found throughout the book. A modern translations have Isaac “caressing” his wife [New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update]. The text mentions that Rebekah is Isaac’s wife.
And Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, of a surety she [Rebekah, v. 8] is thy wife and how saidst thou, ‘She is my sister?’” And Isaac said unto him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die for her.’” And Abimelech said, “What is this thou hast done unto us? One of the people might lightly have lien [H7901 šāḵaḇ] with thy wife [Rebekah, v. 8] and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.” Genesis 26:9-10
Abimelech is concerned that one of his subjects may have taken an interest in the supposed unmarried Rebekah and brought shame upon the whole Kingdom. From the king’s response, it can be said that Isaac has selfish concerns, whereas Abimelech is aware that distorting reality is not beneficial to either a kingdom or an individual.
The KJV translates Strong's H7901, a verb, as: lie (106), sleep (48), lie down (43), rest (3), lien (2), miscellaneous (10).
The KJV translates Strong's H7901, a verb, as: lie (106), sleep (48), lie down (43), rest (3), lien (2), miscellaneous (10).
And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, “He that toucheth this man [Isaac, v. 9] or his wife [Rebekah, v. 8] shall surely be put to death.” Genesis 26:11
God supernaturally protects Isaac by having Abimelech impose the death penalty for anyone who touches either Isaac or Rebekah.
Then Isaac sowed in that land and received in the same year an hundredfold and the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] blessed him. Genesis 26:12
It is clear that Isaac received a “hundredfold” of what he planted, but of what was harvested remains unclear.
And the man [Isaac, v. 12] waxed great and went forward and grew until he became very great, for he had possession of [1] flocks and possession of [2] herds and great store of [3] servants and the Philistines envied him. Genesis 26:13-14
The strange wording of “And the man” instead of the expected “Isaac”. Once again, a man of God prospers and his neighbors envy him and his possessions.
For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them and filled them with earth. Genesis 26:15
The Philistines filled up the wells that dug under Abraham. As no reason is given for filling up wells in a presumed arid environment, we speculate that the Philistines hated Abraham for unstated reasons.
And Abimelech said unto Isaac, “Go from us, for thou art much mightier than we.”
Genesis 26:16
Abimelech’s statement that Isaac being “mightier” than a King has no part of reality, so it can be correctly interpreted as hyperbole.
And Isaac departed thence and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there.
Genesis 26:17
Isaac leaves the King of Gerar and settles in the Valley of Gerar.
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they [the servants (?), v. 25] had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham and he [Isaac] called their names after the names by which his father [Abraham] had called them. Genesis 26:18
Isaac reopened the wells closed by the Philistines.
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley and found there a well of springing water and the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, “The water is ours”, and he called the name of the well Esek [H6230 ʿēśeq], because they strove [H6229 ʿāśaq] with him.
Genesis 26:19-20
H6230 is derived from H6229. Both words occur only once in the Old Testament. The well was named “Esek”, although earlier it is written that the names of the wells the names used by Abraham [verse 18]. Therefore, a contradiction exists regarding the origin of the name of the well.
And they digged another well and strove [H7378 rîḇ] for that also and he called the name of it “Sitnah” [H7856 śiṭnâ]. Genesis 26:21
The KJV translates Strong's H7378 as: plead (27), strive (13), contend (12), chide (6), debate (2), miscellaneous (7).
H7856 occurs once in the Old Testament and is derived from H7855 which, itself, only occurs once, in Ezra 4:6.
H7856 occurs once in the Old Testament and is derived from H7855 which, itself, only occurs once, in Ezra 4:6.
And he [Isaac, v. 18] removed from thence and digged another [third] well and for that they strove not and he called the name of it Rehoboth [H7344 rᵊḥōḇôṯ] and he said, “For now the Lord hath made room for us and we shall be fruitful in the land.” Genesis 26:22
The KJV translates Strong's H7344, a proper locative noun, רְחֹבוֹת as: Rehoboth (4).
H7344 is the plural of H7339.
The KJV translates Strong's H7339, feminine noun, רְחֹב as: street (40), ways (2), places (1).
H7344 is the plural of H7339.
The KJV translates Strong's H7339, feminine noun, רְחֹב as: street (40), ways (2), places (1).
And he [Isaac, v. 18] went up from thence to Beersheba and the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] appeared unto him [Isaac, v. 18] the same night and said, “I am the God [H430 'ĕlōhîm] of Abraham thy father. Fear not, for I am with thee and will bless thee and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.” And he [Isaac, v. 18] builded an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] and pitched his tent there and there Isaac's servants digged a [fourth] well. Then Abimelech went to him [Isaac, v. 18] from Gerar and Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol, the chief captain of his army, and Isaac said unto them [Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phichol, v. 26], “Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me and have sent me away from you?” Genesis 26:23-27
It is not stated the reason for these three gentlemen hate Isaac and, in fact, there is no indication that they hate Isaac. Ahuzzath is only mentioned in the Old Testament once, at Genesis 26:26, while Phichol is mentioned in Genesis 21:22, 32 and Genesis 26:26.
And they [Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phichol, v. 26] said, “We saw certainly that the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ] was with thee and we said, ‘Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee and let us make a covenant with thee: That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee and as we have done unto thee nothing but good and have sent thee away in peace. Thou art now the blessed of the Lord [H3068 Yᵊhōvâ].” Genesis 26:28-29
Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phichol know that Jehovah is with Isaac and that he is blessed of Jehovah.
And he [Isaac, v. 18] made them [Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phichol, v. 26] a feast and they did eat and drink and they rose up betimes in the morning and sware one to another and Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace and it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came and told him concerning the [fourth] well [v. 25] which they had digged and said unto him, “We have found water.” And he called it Shebah H7656. Therefore, the name of the city is Beersheba H884 unto this day. Genesis 26:30-33
H7656 occurs once in the Old Testament and is the masculine form of H7651.
The KJV translates Strong's H7651 as: seven (355), seventh (13), seventeen (with H6240) (8), seven times (6), seventeenth (with H6240) (6), seventeenth (5), sevens (with H7657) (2), seven men (1), sevenfold (1), seventeen (with H6235) (1), seventeen (with H7657) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H884 as: Beersheba (34).
The KJV translates Strong's H7651 as: seven (355), seventh (13), seventeen (with H6240) (8), seven times (6), seventeenth (with H6240) (6), seventeenth (5), sevens (with H7657) (2), seven men (1), sevenfold (1), seventeen (with H6235) (1), seventeen (with H7657) (1).
The KJV translates Strong's H884 as: Beersheba (34).
discussion
If a soul sin and commit a trespass against the LORD and lie H3584 unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour, or have found that which was lost, and lieth H3584 concerning it and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: Leviticus 6:2-3
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, H3584 neither lie one to another. Leviticus 19:11
Strong's H3585 כַּחַשׁ kaḥaš masculine noun
The KJV translates Strong's H3585 as: lies (4), lying (1), leanness (1).
Strong's H3584 כָּחַשׁ kāḥaš verb
The KJV translates Strong's H3584 as: lie (5), submit (3), deny (3), fail (3), denied (2), belied (1), deceive (1), dissembled (1), deal falsely (1), liars (1), submitted (1). Total: 22
There are two words in the Hebrew language for “lying”, as a verb and a noun. Prohibitions against lying are found in the Levitical law. The Levitical Law is for the priesthood only and is not, strictly understood, applicable to the Israelites in toto. As always, the laws found in Old Testament are for the tribes of Israel, not the Gentiles.
The other occurrences of H3584 in the Pentateuch are found in Genesis 18:15 [“Then Sarah denied, H3584 saying, I laughed not, for she was afraid.”] and Deuteronomy 33:2 [“And thine enemies shall be found liars H3584 unto thee.”]. As a famous philologist once wrote, “Knowledge has no obligation to ignorance.”
The KJV translates Strong's H3585 as: lies (4), lying (1), leanness (1).
Strong's H3584 כָּחַשׁ kāḥaš verb
The KJV translates Strong's H3584 as: lie (5), submit (3), deny (3), fail (3), denied (2), belied (1), deceive (1), dissembled (1), deal falsely (1), liars (1), submitted (1). Total: 22
There are two words in the Hebrew language for “lying”, as a verb and a noun. Prohibitions against lying are found in the Levitical law. The Levitical Law is for the priesthood only and is not, strictly understood, applicable to the Israelites in toto. As always, the laws found in Old Testament are for the tribes of Israel, not the Gentiles.
The other occurrences of H3584 in the Pentateuch are found in Genesis 18:15 [“Then Sarah denied, H3584 saying, I laughed not, for she was afraid.”] and Deuteronomy 33:2 [“And thine enemies shall be found liars H3584 unto thee.”]. As a famous philologist once wrote, “Knowledge has no obligation to ignorance.”
For when the Gentiles … do by nature the things contained in the law, these … are a law unto themselves which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness… Romans 2:14-15
We interpret Saint Paul’s passage as: everyone has the moral law written in their hearts; they know, either from moral teachings of their elders and peers, or from society’s expectations, what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior.
Therefore, everyone knows that lying is wrong and although the Law of Moses, outside of Leviticus, does not prohibit lying, there are passage throughout the Psalms and the Prophets where lying is an explicit transgression against the Lord.
In the three passages under consideration, both Abraham and Isaac engage in the same falsehood and both are rewarded financially. The implication of these examples is that actively engaging in denying reality can be lucrative, provided that the Lord, Jehovah, is with thee.
Therefore, everyone knows that lying is wrong and although the Law of Moses, outside of Leviticus, does not prohibit lying, there are passage throughout the Psalms and the Prophets where lying is an explicit transgression against the Lord.
In the three passages under consideration, both Abraham and Isaac engage in the same falsehood and both are rewarded financially. The implication of these examples is that actively engaging in denying reality can be lucrative, provided that the Lord, Jehovah, is with thee.
Lying: verb ; marked by or containing untrue statements.
Cheat: verb; to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage,
Dishonest: adjective; behaving or prone to behave in an untrustworthy or fraudulent way.
Cheat: verb; to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage,
Dishonest: adjective; behaving or prone to behave in an untrustworthy or fraudulent way.