Genesis 20:17

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

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.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Genesis 20:17 concludes a significant narrative involving Abraham, his wife Sarah, and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. This chapter recounts Abraham's deception concerning Sarah, where he claimed she was his sister out of fear for his life, a similar incident to one recorded earlier in Genesis 12 with Pharaoh. God intervened directly, appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him not to touch Sarah, as she was a married woman, and revealing Abraham's true identity 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), causing barrenness. Verse 17 describes the resolution: God instructs Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, stating that Abraham would pray for him because he was a prophet, and God would heal his household.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection of the Covenant: Despite Abraham's moral failure and lack of faith in this instance, God Himself actively protected Sarah and the lineage through which the covenant promises would be fulfilled. This highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, even when Abraham faltered.
  • The Power of Intercessory Prayer: The verse powerfully demonstrates the efficacy of prayer, particularly the prayer of a righteous individual (or in this case, a prophet, despite recent imperfections). Abraham's prayer was the direct means through which God brought healing and restored fertility to Abimelech's household. This aligns with the principle seen elsewhere regarding the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.
  • God's Justice and Mercy: God's action in closing the wombs of Abimelech's household was a sign of His justice, protecting Sarah and ensuring the integrity of the patriarchal line. His subsequent healing, in response to Abraham's prayer, shows His mercy and willingness to restore when repentance and obedience occur.
  • Abraham's Role as a Prophet: God explicitly identified Abraham as a "prophet" (Genesis 20:7), indicating his unique relationship with God and his role as an intercessor. This status is affirmed by God hearing his prayer.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "healed" is rapha' (רָפָא), which means to mend, repair, or restore to health. In this context, it specifically refers to the restoration of fertility, reversing the affliction of barrenness that God had imposed. The phrase "they bare [children]" indicates a complete restoration of their reproductive capabilities, allowing them to conceive and give birth once more, signifying a full healing and removal of the divine judgment.

Practical Application

Genesis 20:17 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness Endures: Even when we stumble or act out of fear, God remains faithful to His promises and purposes. His plan for our lives and His covenant with His people are not dependent on our perfect performance but on His unchanging character.
  • The Importance of Prayer: This verse underscores the profound impact of prayer. It reminds us to approach God with our petitions and to intercede for others, trusting that He hears and responds according to His will.
  • Humility and Forgiveness: Abimelech's swift obedience to God's command and Abraham's willingness to pray for those he had wronged demonstrate the importance of humility, repentance, and forgiveness in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships.
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Cross-References

  • James 5:16 (7 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (4 votes)

    Brethren, pray for us.

  • Proverbs 15:8 (4 votes)

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

  • Genesis 20:7 (4 votes)

    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.