King James Version

What Does Genesis 20:7 Mean?

Genesis 20:7 in the King James Version says “Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if tho...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 20:7 · KJV

Prayer

Context

5

Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. integrity: or, simplicity, or, sincerity

6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

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.

8

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9

Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

Read Genesis 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou sh... 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. How should this truth about Divine Protection shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

מֵשִׁ֗יב2 of 21

“Now therefore restore”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵֽשֶׁת3 of 21

“his wife”

H802

a woman

הָאִישׁ֙4 of 21

“the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּֽי5 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָבִ֣יא6 of 21

“for he is a prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

ה֔וּא7 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל8 of 21

“and he shall pray”

H6419

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

בַּֽעַדְךָ֖9 of 21

“for thee”

H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

וֶֽחְיֵ֑ה10 of 21

“and thou shalt live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְאִם11 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֵֽינְךָ֣12 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מֵשִׁ֗יב13 of 21

“Now therefore restore”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דַּ֚ע14 of 21

“her not know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּי15 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תָּמ֔וּת16 of 21

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תָּמ֔וּת17 of 21

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אַתָּ֖ה18 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְכָל19 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר20 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָֽךְ׃21 of 21
H0

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 20:7 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 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 42:81 Samuel 7:5Hebrews 13:42 Samuel 24:171 Chronicles 16:22Numbers 16:32-33

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