Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that God doesn't just say Abraham is important; He calls him a "prophet," a title that appears for the first time in Scripture. This isn't just about Abraham foretelling the future, but about him being God's chosen spokesperson and intercessor, highlighting that Abimelech's actions have offended someone deeply connected to God, and that Abraham's prayer is the path to survival.
Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God speaks directly to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife and that Abimelech will die for taking her. God explains that He protected Abimelech from sinning by preventing him from touching her, and now instructs the king to return Abraham's wife. This correction comes with a promise: Abraham, being a prophet, will pray for Abimelech, and the king and his household will live; but if the wife is not returned, death is certain for them all.
Abraham is called a 'prophet' here, a title appearing for the first time in Scripture. What does this title really mean, and why does it carry such immense weight?
In Genesis 20:7, God elevates Abraham to a new level of recognition by calling him a "prophet." This title, appearing for the first time, signifies more than just foretelling the future.
A Spokesperson for God
A Mediator and Intercessor
Ask a follow-up
Abimelech, a non-Israelite king, is struck with illness for unknowingly taking Sarah. Why does God intervene so forcefully, and what does it reveal about His justice and protection?
This incident in Gerar reveals God's powerful protection over those in covenant with Him, even when they stumble, and His unwavering justice that extends even to those outside the covenant.
Divine Protection for the Beloved
Justice for All, Even Outsiders
God explicitly states that Abraham's prayer is the key to Abimelech's survival. What does this teach us about the profound impact of prayer, especially when offered by those close to God?
The verse doesn't just present Abraham as a prophet; it reveals the practical, life-saving power of his intercessory prayer. This is a crucial element of his prophetic role.
The Prophet as Intercessor
Hope Through Prayer
Understand the original words
nabi · Hebrew Noun
A divinely chosen spokesperson who receives communication from God to convey to men. Prophets in the Old Testament served as intercessors and monitors of God’s will.
palal · Hebrew Verb
The act of asking God for favor, intervention, or mercy. It is a fundamental act of worship acknowledging God’s sovereignty and human dependence.
The title 'prophet' here emphasizes Abraham's unique connection to God, highlighting that he acts as God's representative and intercessor. This divine endorsement underscores the seriousness of Abimelech's transgression and the miraculous nature of his healing.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Abraham journeys to Gerar
Abraham and his household move from the plains of Mamre to the land of the Philistines, sojourning in Gerar.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham lies about Sarah
Fearing for his life, Abraham tells the people of Gerar that Sarah is his sister, not his wife.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech takes Sarah
King Abimelech of Gerar, hearing Sarah is unmarried, takes her into his household.
c. 2000 BC
God warns Abimelech
God appears to Abimelech in a dream, revealing that Sarah is married and warning him that he will die for taking her.
c. 2000 BC
God curses Abimelech's household
God 'closed fast all the wombs' in Abimelech's household due to the situation with Sarah.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech confronts Abraham
Abimelech calls Abraham to account, questioning why he deceived him and brought sin upon his kingdom.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham explains and prays
Abraham explains his fear and Sarah's true relation to him, and God heals Abimelech's household at Abraham's intercession.
This passage highlights the prophetic role as a spokesperson, with Aaron acting as Moses' prophet, demonstrating how prophets serve as intermediaries between God and humanity, similar to Abraham's role here.
1 Samuel 9:9It explains the older term for prophet as 'seer,' emphasizing the visionary aspect of prophecy and God's direct communication, which aligns with God intervening in a dream to inform Abimelech about Abraham.
Jeremiah 14:11This verse shows the prophetic duty to intercede, as God instructs Jeremiah not to pray for the people, underscoring the significant power and responsibility of a prophet's prayer, as exercised by Abraham.
Psalm 105:15This Psalm directly references the principle seen in Genesis 20, stating 'Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm,' showing that Abraham, as a prophet, was under God's special protection.
James 5:16It speaks to the efficacy of the prayer of a righteous person, reinforcing why Abimelech was told Abraham's prayer would secure his life, as Abraham is presented as a righteous prophet.
gillGenesis 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."
Now therefore restore the man his wife,.... Which will be a full proof and evidence to all of the integrity of thy heart, and the innocence of thine hands, which thou pleadest, and which I:own: for he is a prophet; familiar with God, dear unto him, a friend of his, to whom he…
calvinGenesis 20:1-18: "And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar."
Et dixit Abraham de Sarah uxore sua, Soror mea est. Et misit Abimelech rex Gerar, et accepit Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
Et venit Jehova ad Abimelech in somnio noctis, et dixit et, Ecce es mortuus, propter uxor…
What's striking here is that God doesn't just say Abraham is important; He calls him a "prophet," a title that appears for the first time in Scripture. This isn't just about Abraham foretelling the future, but about him being God's chosen spokesperson and intercessor, highlighting that Abimelech's actions have offended someone deeply connected to God, and that Abraham's prayer is the path to survival.
God speaks directly to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife and that Abimelech will die for taking her. God explains that He protected Abimelech from sinning by preventing him from touching her, and now instructs the king to return Abraham's wife. This correction comes with a promise: Abraham, being a prophet, will pray for Abimelech, and the king and his household will live; but if the wife is not returned, death is certain for them all.
God speaks directly to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife and that Abimelech will die for taking her. God explains that He protected Abimelech from sinning by preventing him from touching her, and now instructs the king to return Abraham's wife. This correction comes with a promise: Abraham, being a prophet, will pray for Abimelech, and the king and his household will live; but if the wife is not returned, death is certain for them all.
"Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”" — What's striking here is that God doesn't just say Abraham is important; He calls him a "prophet," a title that appears for the first time in Scripture. This isn't just about Abraham foretelling the f…
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Last reviewed October 2026