Devine Scripture

Genesis 20:18

What does Genesis 20:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 20:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 20:18 means

This verse explains the specific nature of the divine judgment that had fallen upon Abimelech's household: the Lord had supernaturally closed up the wombs of all the women, rendering them unable to conceive or bear children. This harsh infertility was a direct consequence of Abimelech unknowingly taking Sarah, Abraham's wife. The verse underscores the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of marriage and His protective hand over His covenant people, even when they act deceitfully, ensuring that His promises concerning Abraham's lineage would not be threatened.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the Lord had kept all the women of the house of Abimelech from having children, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for Jehovah restraining had restrained every womb of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech, on account of Sara, Abraham's wife.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For Jehovah had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Context

This verse provides the explanatory reason for the healing described in the prior verse. It reveals the severe, specific divine curse that had fallen upon Abimelech's household because of Sarah. It clarifies the context of God's intervention and the need for Abraham's prayer, reinforcing the gravity of the situation and the depth of God's protective and punitive actions.

v.17And Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants; and they bare children.

v.18This passage

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 16:2

    And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

  • Genesis 30:2

    And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

  • 1 Samuel 5:10

    So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

  • 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.

  • 1 Samuel 1:6

    And her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb.

  • Genesis 12:17

    And Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 20:18.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary