Genesis 20:17 - Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.
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What does "Genesis 20:17" mean?
Genesis 20 tells the story of Abraham passing his wife Sarah off as his sister to King Abimelech of Gerar. God intervenes in a dream, telling Abimelech that Sarah is married and that Abimelech is about to die because of it. Abimelech, in fear, argues his innocence and returns Sarah to Abraham.
Genesis 20:17, "Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children," means that:
Abraham's prayer was effective: This verse highlights Abraham's relationship with God and the power of his prayer. God heard Abraham and answered.
God healed Abimelech and his household: God had afflicted Abimelech's household with infertility (likely an inability to conceive and carry children to term) as a consequence of taking Sarah into his household. This affliction affected Abimelech, his wife (or wives), and his female servants.
The healing restored fertility: The key point is that the healing allowed them to bear children. This emphasizes that the affliction was specifically related to their reproductive abilities. It's a direct consequence of Abimelech's actions and a demonstration of God's power and justice.
In essence, the verse shows:
God's mercy after justice: While God initially threatened punishment (infertility), He showed mercy upon Abimelech's repentance and Abraham's intercession.
Abraham's role as an intercessor: Abraham's prayer was the key to restoring fertility to Abimelech's household, demonstrating his standing with God.
God's sovereignty over life and reproduction: The ability to conceive and bear children is presented as a blessing from God.
The verse serves as a concluding note to the narrative, reinforcing the themes of divine protection, justice, and the importance of prayer and repentance.
Genesis 20:17 - Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.
What does "Genesis 20:17" mean?
Genesis 20 tells the story of Abraham passing his wife Sarah off as his sister to King Abimelech of Gerar. God intervenes in a dream, telling Abimelech that Sarah is married and that Abimelech is about to die because of it. Abimelech, in fear, argues his innocence and returns Sarah to Abraham.
Genesis 20:17, "Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children," means that:
Abraham's prayer was effective: This verse highlights Abraham's relationship with God and the power of his prayer. God heard Abraham and answered.
God healed Abimelech and his household: God had afflicted Abimelech's household with infertility (likely an inability to conceive and carry children to term) as a consequence of taking Sarah into his household. This affliction affected Abimelech, his wife (or wives), and his female servants.
The healing restored fertility: The key point is that the healing allowed them to bear children. This emphasizes that the affliction was specifically related to their reproductive abilities. It's a direct consequence of Abimelech's actions and a demonstration of God's power and justice.
In essence, the verse shows:
God's mercy after justice: While God initially threatened punishment (infertility), He showed mercy upon Abimelech's repentance and Abraham's intercession.
Abraham's role as an intercessor: Abraham's prayer was the key to restoring fertility to Abimelech's household, demonstrating his standing with God.
God's sovereignty over life and reproduction: The ability to conceive and bear children is presented as a blessing from God.
The verse serves as a concluding note to the narrative, reinforcing the themes of divine protection, justice, and the importance of prayer and repentance.