Devine Scripture

Genesis 20:17

What does Genesis 20:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 20:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 20:17 means

Following the resolution and restitution, Abraham, as commanded by God earlier, prays for Abimelech. God hears Abraham's prayer and heals Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. The healing specifically mentions that they would bear children, indicating that the divine curse, which had closed their wombs, was lifted. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word and His response to Abraham's intercession, even after Abraham's personal failure, showcasing God's mercy and the power of a prophet's prayer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Abraham made prayer to God, and God made Abimelech well again, and his wife and his women-servants, so that they had children.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham prayeth unto God, and God healeth Abimelech and his wife, and his handmaids, and they bear:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when Abraham prayed, God healed Abimelech and his wife, and his handmaids, and they bore children:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham prayed toGod, andGod healed Abimelech, and his wife and his handmaids, and they bore [children].

Context

This verse describes the direct result of God's command in verse 7 for Abraham to pray for Abimelech, and it follows Abimelech's full restitution. Abraham's prayer and God's subsequent healing demonstrate the efficacy of Abraham's role as a prophet and God's faithfulness to His own word. This event leads into the final verse, which clarifies the nature of the divine judgment and subsequent healing.

v.16And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, it is for thee a covering of the eyes to all that are with thee; and in respect of all thou art righted.

v.17This passage

v.18For Jehovah had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 15:29

    Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

  • Job 42:9

    So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as Jehovah commanded them: and Jehovah accepted Job.

  • 1 Samuel 5:11

    They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it slay us not, and our people. For there was a deadly discomfiture throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

  • Genesis 20:7

    Now therefore restore the man’s 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.

  • Proverbs 15:8

    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

  • Philippians 4:6

    In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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