Abraham was afraid the people of Gerar would see him as a foreigner and upon seeing his beautiful wife, they would try to kill him. This would free Sarah to marry someone else. Apparently, it would have been easy for them to kill a foreigner without punishment. If she was Abraham's sister, they would have shown favor to him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#favor)
Abraham believed that the people of Gerar did not fear Yahweh, but when confronted by Yahweh, the king showed that he feared Yahweh. Instead, it was Abraham who did not show any fear of Yahweh when he sinned. This is irony. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#fear and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin)
This is a desert region on the eastern border of Egypt. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
"made his men go get Sarah and bring her to him"
"God appeared to Abimelek"
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: "
This is a strong way of saying the king will die. Alternate translation: "you will certainly die soon" or "I will kill you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"a married woman"
This word is used here to mark a change from the story to information about Abimelech. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
This is a polite way of saying he did not have sex with her. Alternate translation: "Abimelek had not had sexual relations with Sarah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
Here "nation" stands for the people. Abimelech is worried that God will punish not only him, but his people also. Alternate translation: "even a people who are innocent" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
This has quotations within a quotation. They can be stated as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: "Did he himself not tell me that she is his sister? Even she herself told me that he is her brother." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Abimelech used this rhetorical question to remind God of something God already knew. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Abraham himself told me, 'She is my sister.'" or "Abraham said that she is his sister." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
The words "he himself" and "she herself" are used for emphasis to bring attention to Abraham and Sarah and to blame them for what happened. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rpronouns)
Here "heart" stands for his thoughts or intentions. Also "hands" stands for his actions. Alternate translation: "I have done this with good intentions and actions" or "I have done this with no evil thoughts or actions" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"God said to Abimelech"
Here "heart" stands for his thoughts or intentions. Alternate translation: "you did this with good intentions" or "you did this without evil intentions" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
This is a euphemism for having sex with Sarah. Alternate translation: "to sleep with her" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
"Abraham's wife"
"I will let you live"
"all of your people"
"He told them everything that God had told him"
Abimelech used this rhetorical question to accuse Abraham. Alternate translation: "You have done something bad to us!" or "Look what you have done to us!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
The word "us" here is exclusive and does not include Abraham and Sarah. If your language uses an exclusive form of "we" or "us," use it here. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
Abimelech used this rhetorical question to remind Abraham that he had not sinned against Abraham. Alternate translation: "I have done nothing against you to cause you to bring ... sin." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
To cause someone to be guilty of sinning is spoken of as if "sin" was a thing that could be placed on a person. Alternate translation: "that you should make me and my kingdom guilty of such a terrible sin" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Here "kingdom" stands for the people. Alternate translation: "on the people of my kingdom" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"You should not have done this to me"
"What caused you to do this?" or "Why did you do this?" What Abraham did can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "Why did you tell me that Sarah is your sister?" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "Because I thought that since no one here fears God, someone may kill me so they can take my wife." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Here "place" refers to the people. Alternate translation: "no one here in Gerar fears God" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
This means to deeply respect God and show that respect by obeying him.
"Also, it is true that Sarah is my sister" or "Also, Sarah really is my sister"
"we have the same father, but we have different mothers"
Verse 13 is a continuation of Abraham's answer to Abimelech.
Here "house" stands for Abraham's family. Alternate translation: "my father and the rest of my family" or "my father's household" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
This has quotations within quotations. They can be stated as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: "I said to Sarah that I wanted her to be faithful to me by telling people everywhere we go that I am her brother" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
"Abimelek brought some"
"Abimelek said to Abraham"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
This is a way of saying "I make all of my land available to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"Live wherever you want"
"1,000" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
Giving money to prove to others that Sarah is innocent is spoken of as if he is placing a cover over an offense so no one can see it. Alternate translation: "I am giving this to him, so that those who are with you will know that you have done nothing wrong" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: "in the opinion" or "in the judgement" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
The passive phrase "made right" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "everyone will know that you are innocent" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
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"totally unable to have children"
The full meaning can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "because Abimelech had taken Abraham's wife Sarah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)