Genesis 20:17

KJV

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare [children].

KJV (with Strong's)

So Abraham {H85} prayed {H6419} unto God {H430}: and God {H430} healed {H7495} Abimelech {H40}, and his wife {H802}, and his maidservants {H519}; and they bare {H3205} children.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avraham prayed to God, and God healed Avimelekh and his wife and slave-girls, so that they could have children.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children—

American Standard Version

And Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants; and they bare children.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 20:17 concludes a challenging episode in Abraham's life, detailing God's miraculous intervention to reverse a divinely imposed barrenness upon Abimelech's household. Following Abraham's intercessory prayer, God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants, restoring their fertility. This pivotal verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, the profound efficacy of intercessory prayer, and Abraham's distinct role as a prophet and mediator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 20:17 serves as the climax and resolution of the narrative in [Genesis 20](/genesis/20 "Genesis 20 - Abraham and Abimelech"). This chapter recounts Abraham's second recorded instance of claiming his wife, Sarah, was his sister (cf. [Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abraham's deception in Egypt")), driven by fear for his life in Gerar. God directly intervenes in a dream, warning Abimelech not to touch Sarah and revealing her true identity as Abraham's wife and Abraham's status as a prophet. As a consequence of Abimelech unwittingly taking Sarah into his household, God had "fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech" ([Genesis 20:18](/genesis/20-18 "God closes the wombs of Abimelech's household")), causing barrenness. Verse 17 depicts the fulfillment of God's instruction to Abimelech in [Genesis 20:7](/genesis/20-7 "God's instruction to Abimelech"), where God declares that Abraham, as a prophet, would pray for Abimelech, and healing would follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Gerar, a Philistine city, during the patriarchal period. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fertility was highly valued and often seen as a divine blessing, while barrenness was considered a curse or a sign of divine displeasure. The act of a king taking a woman into his harem, even unwittingly, was a serious matter, especially if she was married, as it could lead to severe consequences, including divine judgment. The concept of a "prophet" (Hebrew: *navi'*) in this early period often encompassed not only one who speaks for God but also one who has a special relationship with God, capable of interceding effectively on behalf of others. The fear of death due to a beautiful wife was a real concern for patriarchs traveling in foreign lands, as rulers often exercised absolute power.
* **Key Themes:** This chapter, culminating in [Genesis 20:17](/genesis/20-17 "Abraham's Prayer and God's Healing"), highlights several enduring themes. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates God's **sovereign protection of His covenant promises** and the lineage through which they would be fulfilled, even despite the moral failures of His chosen instruments like Abraham. Secondly, it emphasizes the **efficacy and necessity of intercessory prayer**, showcasing Abraham's unique role as a prophet and mediator. Thirdly, the narrative reveals God's character as both **just in judgment** (closing the wombs) and **merciful in restoration** (healing them in response to prayer), underscoring His desire for repentance and reconciliation. Finally, it subtly underscores the **importance of truthfulness** and the dangers of deception, even when motivated by fear.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prayed (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** From H6419, a primitive root meaning "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." In this context, it specifically refers to Abraham's act of intercession, petitioning God on behalf of Abimelech and his household. This word emphasizes the active, intentional nature of Abraham's communication with God, functioning as a mediator.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** From H430, the plural form of Eloah, used here (and frequently in the Old Testament) to refer to the supreme God. Its plural form can denote majesty or the fullness of divine power. The repetition of "God" (first as the recipient of Abraham's prayer, then as the one who performs the healing) highlights His singular authority and omnipotence in both hearing prayer and enacting physical restoration.
* **healed (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** From H7495, a primitive root meaning "to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure." In this context, it signifies the reversal of the divine affliction of barrenness. It implies a complete restoration of physical function, specifically the reproductive capabilities that had been supernaturally inhibited. The healing is not merely a cessation of the curse but a full return to normalcy, enabling them to "bear children."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Abraham prayed unto God":** This clause establishes Abraham's pivotal role as an intercessor, fulfilling the divine instruction given to Abimelech in [Genesis 20:7](/genesis/20-7 "God's instruction to Abimelech"). Despite his recent moral lapse in deceiving Abimelech, Abraham is still recognized by God as a prophet whose prayers are effective. This highlights God's grace and His unwavering commitment to His chosen servant.
* **"and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants":** This segment directly attributes the healing to God's sovereign action. The healing is comprehensive, extending to Abimelech himself (perhaps implying a general physical or emotional distress, or a direct affliction on him as the head of the household), his wife, and all his maidservants. This demonstrates the extent of the divine judgment (which affected all fertile females in the household) and the completeness of the divine restoration.
* **"and they bare [children].":** This concluding phrase emphatically confirms the full and tangible restoration of fertility. The bracketed "children" in the KJV clarifies the implication of the Hebrew verb *yâlad* (H3205), which means "to bear young" or "to bring forth." This outcome serves as undeniable proof that God's healing was complete and effective, reversing the barrenness and allowing the natural process of procreation to resume.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Narrative Resolution** to bring the conflict of [Genesis 20](/genesis/20 "Genesis 20 - Abraham and Abimelech") to a satisfying close, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the situation. The immediate cause-and-effect relationship between Abraham's prayer and God's healing illustrates **Divine Intervention**, where God directly acts in human affairs to uphold His covenant and demonstrate His power. The use of **Repetition** in mentioning "God" twice in the verse ("Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed...") subtly emphasizes God as the primary agent of both the command for prayer and the subsequent miraculous healing. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Foreshadowing** by presenting Abraham as an intercessor, a role that anticipates the greater mediator to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people and those connected to them. It reveals a God who is both just in His judgments and abundant in His mercy, willing to reverse curses and bring restoration in response to faithful prayer and obedience. The efficacy of Abraham's intercession underscores the power God grants to His chosen servants, even when they are flawed, to influence divine action. This narrative serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, safeguarding the lineage through which the ultimate blessing would come, despite human weakness and deception.

* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Power of Righteous Prayer"): "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
* [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Christ's Perpetual Intercession"): "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good"): "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 20:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon our perfect performance but on His unchanging character and sovereign plan. Even when we stumble or act out of fear, as Abraham did, God remains committed to His covenant and uses even our flawed obedience for His purposes. This verse also powerfully affirms the transformative power of intercessory prayer. Abraham, despite his recent failure, was still God's chosen prophet, and his prayer was the catalyst for divine healing and restoration. This should encourage us to approach God boldly in prayer, not only for our own needs but also for others, trusting that He hears and responds according to His perfect will. Finally, Abimelech's swift obedience to God's command to seek Abraham's prayer, and Abraham's willingness to pray for those he had wronged, highlight the importance of humility, repentance, and forgiveness in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships, even when we are the ones who have been wronged.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Abraham's flawed character in this narrative highlight God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises?**
* **In what ways does this passage encourage you to be more diligent and persistent in intercessory prayer for others?**
* **How can we apply the principles of humility, repentance, and forgiveness from this story to resolve conflicts in our own relationships?**

### FAQ

**Why did God inflict barrenness upon Abimelech's household?**

Answer: God closed the wombs of Abimelech's household as a direct divine judgment and protective measure. This act was to prevent Abimelech from unwittingly defiling Sarah, who was Abraham's wife and central to the covenant lineage through whom the promised seed would come ([Genesis 20:3](/genesis/20-3 "God's warning to Abimelech")). This served as a clear sign of God's displeasure and a warning, ensuring the purity of the patriarchal line and demonstrating His sovereign protection over His covenant plan.

**What does Abraham's designation as a "prophet" in this context signify?**

Answer: God explicitly identified Abraham as a "prophet" in [Genesis 20:7](/genesis/20-7 "God's revelation to Abimelech about Abraham"). This designation highlights Abraham's unique and intimate relationship with God, his role as a recipient of divine revelation, and his authority to intercede effectively on behalf of others. It underscores why God instructed Abimelech to seek Abraham's prayer for healing, affirming Abraham's spiritual authority and close communion with the Almighty.

**Does this passage imply God punishes the innocent for the actions of others?**

Answer: While Abimelech's household suffered barrenness, the text emphasizes that Abimelech himself acted in "the integrity of his heart" ([Genesis 20:6](/genesis/20-6 "Abimelech's integrity")) and was unaware of Sarah's marital status. God's action was not an arbitrary punishment of the innocent but a temporary consequence and a protective measure to safeguard His covenant. It served as a means to bring about a swift resolution, demonstrate God's power, and affirm Abraham's prophetic standing, ultimately leading to restoration rather than permanent harm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 20:17, with its profound themes of intercession, divine healing, and God's faithfulness to His covenant despite human failure, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham, a flawed prophet, interceded for Abimelech's household, Christ serves as our great High Priest and perfect Intercessor, continually pleading on behalf of His people before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Christ's perpetual intercession")). The physical healing and restoration of fertility in Abimelech's house powerfully foreshadow the comprehensive spiritual healing and new life that Christ brings through His atoning work on the cross, reversing the barrenness of sin and death and granting spiritual fruitfulness ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "Jesus the True Vine")). Furthermore, God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, even through Abraham's imperfections, points to God's perfect faithfulness in sending His Son, Jesus, as the true Seed through whom all the promises of the Abrahamic covenant are perfectly fulfilled and all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham") and [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs according to the promise")). In Christ, we find the ultimate Mediator, the source of all healing, and the faithful One who secures our eternal inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Isaiah 45:11

¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Matthew 7:7

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Brethren, pray for us.

Proverbs 15:8

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

Genesis 20:7

Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; for he [is] a prophet, 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.