Genesis 20:17

Genesis 20:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
• New International Version (NIV)Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again,
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;

Context of Genesis 20:17

15Abimelech said, “Look, here’s my land. Live anywhere you like.” 16He said to Sarah, “Don’t forget, I’ve given your brother 25 pounds of silver. This is to silence any criticism against you from everyone with you. You’re completely cleared.” Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could have children. 18(The Lord had made it impossible for any woman in Abimelech’s household to have children because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.)

Genesis 20:17 word by word

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּרְפָּ֨א אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֧לֶךְ וְאֶת־אִשְׁתּ֛וֹ וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יו וַיֵּלֵֽדוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• So Abrahamאַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
• prayedפָּלַלpâlal · to prayH6419
• unto Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• healedרָפָאrâphâ' râphâh · to healH7495
• Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• and his wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
• and his maidservantsאָמָה'âmâh · maidservantH519
• and they bareיָלַדyâlad · to begetH3205

Cross-references for Genesis 20:17

• Genesis 20:7Give the man’s wife back to him now, because he’s a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you don’t give her back, you and all who belong to you are doomed to die.”
• Genesis 29:31When the Lord saw Leah was unloved, he made it possible for her to have children, but Rachel had none.
• 1 Samuel 5:11They called together all the Philistine rulers. “Send the ark of the God of Israel away,” they said. “Let it go back to its own place so that it won’t kill us or our people.” There was a fear of death throughout the city, where God dealt ⌞with them⌟ very harshly.
• Ezra 6:10Then they can offer sacrifices that please the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
• Job 42:9Then Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama went and did what the Lord had told them to do. And the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.
• Proverbs 15:8A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayers of decent people please him.
• Isaiah 45:11The Lord is the Holy One and the maker of Israel. This is what the Lord says: Ask me about what is going to happen to my children! Are you going to give me orders concerning my handiwork?
• Matthew 7:7“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
• Matthew 21:22Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
• Acts 3:24Samuel and all the prophets who followed him spoke about these days.
• Philippians 4:6Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
• James 5:16So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.

Commentaries on Genesis 20:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17So Abraham prayed - This was the prime office of the נביא nabi ; see Genesis 20:7.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-18Verses 1-18 - Abraham in Gerar 2. אבימלך .2 'ǎbı̂ymelek Abimelekh, “father of the king.” 7. נביא nābı̂y' “prophet,” he who speaks by God, of God, and to God, who declares to people not merely things future, but also things past and present, that are not obvious to the sense or the reason; related: “flow, go forth.” 13. התעוּ hı̂t‛û is plural in punctuation, agreeing grammatically with אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym ו (w), however, may be regarded as the third…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-18Verses 14-18 We often trouble ourselves, and even are led into temptation and sin, by groundless suspicions; and find the fear of God where we expected it not. Agreements to deceive generally end in shame and sorrow; and restraints from sin, though by suffering, should be thankfully acknowledged. Though the Lord rebuke, yet he will pardon and deliver his people, and he will give them favour in the sight of those with whom they sojourn; and overrule their…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18The inability to have children suggests that some time had passed. God controls births. He decides when women can have children (25:21; 29:31; 30:2, 17, 22–23; 1 Samuel 1:19–20; Psalms 113:9; 127:3; Luke 1:13).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-181. Abraham journeyed from thence ... and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur--Leaving the encampment, he migrated to the southern border of Canaan. In the neighborhood of Gerar was a very rich and well-watered pasture land.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 20:17

• Barrenness
• Good for Evil
• Ignorance
• Intercession
• Miracles
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• God
• Abraham, Abram
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Dream
• Prayer
• Restore
• Wander
• Atonement, Day of

Commentaries on Genesis 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings