Genesis 20:7
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)
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The verse highlights a crucial aspect of Abraham's new status: God calls him a "prophet," the very first to receive this title in Scripture. This designation isn't just about foretelling the future, but signifies Abraham's intimate connection with God, making him an intercessor whose prayers carry significant weight, even for kings.
God has just appeared to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife, and that Abimelech and his household are facing death because of this deception. Abimelech, having not yet touched Sarah, is told by God to return her to Abraham, who is identified as a prophet. The king is reassured that if he returns Sarah, he will live, but if he refuses, he and his household will surely die.
Why would God highlight Abraham's role as a prophet to Abimelech? It wasn't just a title, but a key to understanding the situation and the stakes.
In this encounter, God reveals Abraham's status as a "prophet" to King Abimelech. This title signifies someone intimately connected with God, privy to His will, and authorized to speak for Him.
God's Spokesperson
This wasn't just about predicting the future. The ancient understanding of a prophet (nabi) was one who had direct access to God. They were His representatives, able to mediate between the divine and human realms.
Intercession and Authority
Because of this close relationship, a prophet could intercede on behalf of others. God is telling Abimelech, 'Abraham is my friend, and because of this connection, his prayers have power. Return his wife, and he will pray for your healing and life.' This title underscores the seriousness of Abimelech's offense – he had unknowingly wronged someone deeply favored by God.
Abimelech was facing death, but there was a path to life. What role did Abraham's prayer play in this dramatic turn of events?
The verse presents a stark contrast: return Sarah, and live; keep her, and die. The key to life hinges on Abraham's intercessory prayer.
A Matter of Life and Death
God's judgment was severe, but His mercy was offered through Abraham. The king's life and the lives of his entire household were directly linked to Abraham's prayerful intervention.
The Power of Righteous Intercession
Abraham, as God's prophet, was uniquely positioned to appeal to God on Abimelech's behalf. This demonstrates the profound impact that the prayers of the righteous can have, even for those who have erred. God wasn't just threatening; He was providing a divine remedy through the actions of His favored servant.
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 signifies Abraham's intimate relationship with God and his role as an intercessor, elevating him beyond a mere sojourner and underscoring the divine protection that extends even to those who, like Abraham, stumble in their faith.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Abraham sojourns in Gerar
Abraham and his household settle in the region of Gerar, a Philistine territory, after leaving Mamre.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham claims Sarah is his sister
Fearing for his life, Abraham tells Abimelech, the king of Gerar, that Sarah is his sister, not his wife.
c. 2000 BC
God warns Abimelech in a dream
God appears to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that Sarah is a married woman and that he is under divine judgment for taking her.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech confronts Abraham
Abimelech, alarmed by God's warning, confronts Abraham about his deception and the grave sin it brought upon his household.
c. 2000 BC
This Psalm directly quotes the essence of God's message to Abimelech, stating that God 'suffered no man to do them wrong' and warned kings 'Do my prophets no harm,' highlighting the divine protection afforded to Abraham because of his status.
Exodus 7:1God tells Moses that Aaron will be his 'prophet' or spokesman to Pharaoh, mirroring the understanding in Genesis 20:7 where Abraham's prophetic role makes him an intercessor and a weighty figure before God.
1 Samuel 12:23Samuel, acting as a prophet, intercedes for the Israelites when they sin, demonstrating the prophetic role of prayer and mediation for others, just as Abraham is called to do for Abimelech.
Jeremiah 14:11God instructs Jeremiah *not* to pray for the people of Judah because of their sin, which underscores the significance of Abraham's willingness and ability to pray, as it's a privilege granted due to his relationship with God and the repentant state of Abimelech.
Job 42:7-9After Job's friends err in their counsel, God directs them to offer sacrifices and have Job, His servant, pray for them, showing that even the intercession of a 'suffering servant' (like Abraham here) is a divine provision for reconciliation and healing.
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…
The verse highlights a crucial aspect of Abraham's new status: God calls him a "prophet," the very first to receive this title in Scripture. This designation isn't just about foretelling the future, but signifies Abraham's intimate connection with God, making him an intercessor whose prayers carry significant weight, even for kings.
God has just appeared to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife, and that Abimelech and his household are facing death because of this deception. Abimelech, having not yet touched Sarah, is told by God to return her to Abraham, who is identified as a prophet. The king is reassured that if he returns Sarah, he will live, but if he refuses, he and his household will surely die.
God has just appeared to King Abimelech in a dream, revealing that the woman Abraham claimed as his sister is actually his wife, and that Abimelech and his household are facing death because of this deception. Abimelech, having not yet touched Sarah, is told by God to return her to Abraham, who is identified as a prophet. The king is reassured that if he returns Sarah, he will live, but if he refuses, he and his household will surely die.
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Abraham explains his actions
Abraham confesses his fear and explains that he told Sarah to say she was his sister because he believed there was no fear of God in Gerar.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech restores Sarah and blesses Abraham
Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham, rebukes the deception, and grants Abraham permission to live anywhere in his land, also providing gifts.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham intercedes for Abimelech
Abraham prays for Abimelech and his household, and God heals them, allowing them to have children again.
"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.”" — The verse highlights a crucial aspect of Abraham's new status: God calls him a "prophet," the very first to receive this title in Scripture. This designation isn't just about foretelling the future,…
