Genesis 20:13-18

13 So when God had me wander from my father's house, I said to her: Show your loyalty to me wherever we go, and say about me: 'He's my brother.' "
14 Then Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male and female slaves, gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him.
15 Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you want."[a]
16 And to Sarah he said, "Look, I am giving your brother 1,000 pieces of silver. It is a verification of your honor[b] to all who are with you. You are fully vindicated."
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could bear children,
18 for the Lord had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Genesis 20:13-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 20

This chapter relates the removal of Abraham to Gerar, Ge 20:1; the king of Gerar's taking to him Sarah, whom Abraham had called his sister, Ge 20:2; who is rebuked of God for it in a dream, Ge 20:3; for which he makes an apology that is admitted, only he is ordered to restore to Abraham his wife, Ge 20:4-7; and accordingly early in the morning he called his servants, and acquainted them with what had happened, Ge 20:8; and then sent for Abraham, and expressed his resentment at his usage of him, Ge 20:9; which Abraham defended as well as he could, Ge 20:10-13; the issue of all which was, great kindness was shown to Abraham, and his wife restored to him, though with a reproof to her from the king, Ge 20:14-16; upon which Abraham prayed for the healing of Abimelech and his family, in which he was heard and answered, Ge 20:17,18.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit Settle in the good in your eyes
  • [b]. Lit a covering of the eyes
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