Genesis 20:16 - To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.”
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What does "Genesis 20:16" mean?
Genesis 20:16 is a complex verse with several interpretations, revolving around the context of Abimelech, king of Gerar, returning Sarah to Abraham after unknowingly taking her into his household. Here's a breakdown of the possible meanings:
Context: Abimelech, believing Sarah was Abraham's sister, took her to be his wife. God intervened in a dream, revealing the truth and warning Abimelech of the sin he was about to commit. Abimelech then confronts Abraham, who explains his fear of being killed for his beautiful wife. After Abimelech is vindicated by God, he returns Sarah to Abraham and gives him gifts, including 1,000 pieces of silver.
"A covering of the eyes": This is the most debated part of the verse. Here are the common interpretations:
Atonement/Compensation: The silver is a payment to cover or atone for the wrong that was done to Sarah and Abraham. Abimelech acknowledges the potential damage to Sarah's reputation and the insult to Abraham. This gift serves to publicly restore their honor.
Protection from Criticism: The silver is meant to silence any future gossip or criticism of Sarah. It's a substantial gift that demonstrates Abimelech's innocence and Sarah's unimpaired honor. Anyone who might have questioned her virtue would now be silenced by the evidence of Abimelech's generous gesture.
A Veil/Disguise: Some suggest "covering of the eyes" is a literal reference to a veil. The gift of silver might have been intended to enable Sarah to purchase a veil, hiding her beauty and protecting her from similar situations in the future. This interpretation is less common, as there's no direct indication that veiling was a custom at this time.
A Reminder: The gift might act as a visual reminder to everyone, including Sarah, that the matter is closed and resolved. It serves as a symbol of vindication and a deterrent to further speculation or doubt.
"To all that are with you": This phrase specifies who the "covering of the eyes" is for. It includes:
Sarah herself: To reassure her that her honor is intact.
Abraham: To compensate him for the potential loss of his wife and honor.
Their household/community: To publicly demonstrate Sarah's innocence and restore her standing within the group.
"In front of all you are vindicated": This emphasizes the public nature of Sarah's exoneration. The gift of silver, given openly, serves as a clear statement to everyone that Sarah is innocent and has been wronged. It reinforces the idea that her honor has been restored.
In summary:
The verse is about Abimelech's attempt to make amends for the potential harm he caused to Sarah and Abraham. The 1,000 pieces of silver are a significant gesture, meant to publicly demonstrate Sarah's innocence, restore her honor, silence any criticism, and act as a symbol of vindication for both her and Abraham within their community. The specific meaning of "a covering of the eyes" is debated, but all interpretations revolve around the idea of atonement, protection, and public affirmation of Sarah's integrity.
Genesis 20:16 - To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.”
What does "Genesis 20:16" mean?
Genesis 20:16 is a complex verse with several interpretations, revolving around the context of Abimelech, king of Gerar, returning Sarah to Abraham after unknowingly taking her into his household. Here's a breakdown of the possible meanings:
Context: Abimelech, believing Sarah was Abraham's sister, took her to be his wife. God intervened in a dream, revealing the truth and warning Abimelech of the sin he was about to commit. Abimelech then confronts Abraham, who explains his fear of being killed for his beautiful wife. After Abimelech is vindicated by God, he returns Sarah to Abraham and gives him gifts, including 1,000 pieces of silver.
"A covering of the eyes": This is the most debated part of the verse. Here are the common interpretations:
Atonement/Compensation: The silver is a payment to cover or atone for the wrong that was done to Sarah and Abraham. Abimelech acknowledges the potential damage to Sarah's reputation and the insult to Abraham. This gift serves to publicly restore their honor.
Protection from Criticism: The silver is meant to silence any future gossip or criticism of Sarah. It's a substantial gift that demonstrates Abimelech's innocence and Sarah's unimpaired honor. Anyone who might have questioned her virtue would now be silenced by the evidence of Abimelech's generous gesture.
A Veil/Disguise: Some suggest "covering of the eyes" is a literal reference to a veil. The gift of silver might have been intended to enable Sarah to purchase a veil, hiding her beauty and protecting her from similar situations in the future. This interpretation is less common, as there's no direct indication that veiling was a custom at this time.
A Reminder: The gift might act as a visual reminder to everyone, including Sarah, that the matter is closed and resolved. It serves as a symbol of vindication and a deterrent to further speculation or doubt.
"To all that are with you": This phrase specifies who the "covering of the eyes" is for. It includes:
Sarah herself: To reassure her that her honor is intact.
Abraham: To compensate him for the potential loss of his wife and honor.
Their household/community: To publicly demonstrate Sarah's innocence and restore her standing within the group.
"In front of all you are vindicated": This emphasizes the public nature of Sarah's exoneration. The gift of silver, given openly, serves as a clear statement to everyone that Sarah is innocent and has been wronged. It reinforces the idea that her honor has been restored.
In summary:
The verse is about Abimelech's attempt to make amends for the potential harm he caused to Sarah and Abraham. The 1,000 pieces of silver are a significant gesture, meant to publicly demonstrate Sarah's innocence, restore her honor, silence any criticism, and act as a symbol of vindication for both her and Abraham within their community. The specific meaning of "a covering of the eyes" is debated, but all interpretations revolve around the idea of atonement, protection, and public affirmation of Sarah's integrity.