King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:17 Mean?

Genesis 20:17 in the King James Version says “So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 20:17 · KJV

Prayer

Context

15

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. where: Heb. as is good in thine eyes

16

And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

17

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

18

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

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they b... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Abraham's Deception emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל1 of 12

“prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אַבְרָהָ֖ם2 of 12

“So Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶל3 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהִ֜ים4 of 12

“and God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיִּרְפָּ֨א5 of 12

“healed”

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

אֱלֹהִ֜ים6 of 12

“and God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת7 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲבִימֶ֧לֶךְ8 of 12

“Abimelech”

H40

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

וְאֶת9 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִשְׁתּ֛וֹ10 of 12

“and his wife”

H802

a woman

וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יו11 of 12

“and his maidservants”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וַיֵּלֵֽדוּ׃12 of 12

“and they bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 20:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 20:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 5:16Philippians 4:6Job 42:9-10Matthew 21:22Proverbs 15:8Ezra 6:10

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