Chiasm
Genesis 20:3–7
Genesis 20:3–74 matched frames
Read down to the center, where the pattern turns; then rise back out through its mirror.
- A 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man,
- B 3b for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
- C 4 But Abimelech had not come near her:
- D 4b-5 and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She 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.
- D' 6 And God said unto him 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:
- C' 6b therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
- C 4 But Abimelech had not come near her:
- B' 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet,
- B 3b for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
- A' 7b and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.