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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 20:7 Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die--you and all who belong to you."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/20-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_20_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 20:7 - Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. 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But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” <a href="/esv/genesis/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/20.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/20.htm">New King James Version</a> Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will certainly die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Now therefore, restore the man&#8217s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So now, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/amp/genesis/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her [to him], know that you shall die, you and all who are yours (your household).” <a href="/csb/genesis/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will certainly die, you and all who are yours.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now return the man&#8217s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will certainly die, you and all who are yours.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/genesis/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Her husband is a prophet. Let her go back to him, and his prayers will save you from death. But if you don't return her, you and all your people will die. <a href="/erv/genesis/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/genesis/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Give 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." <a href="/gnt/genesis/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> But now, give the woman back to her husband. He is a prophet, and he will pray for you, so that you will not die. But if you do not give her back, I warn you that you are going to die, you and all your people." <a href="/isv/genesis/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now then, return the man's wife. As a matter of fact, he's a prophet and can intercede for you so you'll live. But if you don't return her, be aware that you and all who are yours will certainly die." <a href="/msb/genesis/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now return the man?s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die?you and all who belong to you.? <a href="/net/genesis/20.htm">NET Bible</a> But now give back the man's wife. Indeed he is a prophet and he will pray for you; thus you will live. But if you don't give her back, know that you will surely die along with all who belong to you." <a href="/nheb/genesis/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now therefore, restore the man's wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you do not restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours." <a href="/wbt/genesis/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now therefore restore to the man his wife, for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou shalt not restore her, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine. <a href="/web/genesis/20.htm">World English Bible</a> Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and now send back the man’s wife, for he [is] inspired, and he prays for you, and you live; and if you do not send back, know that dying you die, you and all that you have.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and now send back the man's wife, for he is inspired, and he doth pray for thee, and live thou; and if thou do not send back, know that dying thou dost die, thou, and all that thou hast.' <a href="/slt/genesis/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now turn back to the man the woman; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and do thou live: and if thou turn her not back, know that dying, thou shalt die, thou and all which are to thee.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now therefore restore the man his wife, for he is a prophet: and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: but if thou wilt not restore her, know that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thins. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now therefore, return his wife to the man, for he is a prophet. And he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you are not willing to return her, know this: you shall die a death, you and all that is yours.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/20.htm">New American Bible</a> So now, return the man’s wife so that he may intercede for you, since he is a prophet, that you may live. If you do not return her, you can be sure that you and all who are yours will die. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now then, return the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all that are yours.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now therefore restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live; but if you do not restore her, then know that you will surely die, you, and all your family. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Now return the wife of the man, because he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live, and if you do not return her, know that surely you die, and everyone that you have.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/genesis/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But now return the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live; but if thou restore her not, know that thou shalt die and all thine. <a href="/parallel/genesis/20-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4425" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech</a> …6Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7<a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: hā·šêḇ (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">return</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">the man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ- (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: nā·ḇî (N-ms) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">is a prophet;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: wə·yiṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">he will pray</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: ba·‘aḏ·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">for you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: weḥ·yêh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">and you will live.</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nə·ḵā (Adv:: 2ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">you do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: mê·šîḇ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">restore her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: da‘ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">be aware</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">you will surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: tā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die—</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who belong</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you.”</a> 8Early the next morning Abimelech got up and summoned all his servants; and when he described to them all that had happened, the men were terrified.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/job/42-8.htm">Job 42:8-10</a> So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.” / So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. / After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions. <a href="/numbers/12-13.htm">Numbers 12:13</a> So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her!” <a href="/1_samuel/7-5.htm">1 Samuel 7:5</a> Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” <a href="/1_samuel/12-19.htm">1 Samuel 12:19-23</a> They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” / “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. / Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty. ... <a href="/1_kings/13-6.htm">1 Kings 13:6</a> Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before. <a href="/2_kings/19-4.htm">2 Kings 19:4</a> Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.” <a href="/2_kings/20-2.htm">2 Kings 20:2-5</a> Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, / “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. / Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Jeremiah 7:16</a> As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you. <a href="/jeremiah/27-18.htm">Jeremiah 27:18</a> If they are indeed prophets and the word of the LORD is with them, let them now plead with the LORD of Hosts that the articles remaining in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem, not be taken to Babylon. <a href="/ezekiel/14-14.htm">Ezekiel 14:14</a> then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD. <a href="/james/5-14.htm">James 5:14-16</a> Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. / And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. / Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a> But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, <a href="/luke/6-28.htm">Luke 6:28</a> bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a> Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. <a href="/acts/8-24.htm">Acts 8:24</a> Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live: and if you restore her not, know you that you shall surely die, you, and all that are yours.a prophet.<a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a> Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?<a href="/1_kings/18-1.htm">1 Kings 18:1-46</a> And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth… <a href="/1_corinthians/14-4.htm">1 Corinthians 14:4</a> He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.<a href="/exodus/4-16.htm">Exodus 4:16</a> And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.<a href="/exodus/7-1.htm">Exodus 7:1</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.<a href="/exodus/12-1.htm">Exodus 12:1-3</a> And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, … pray.<a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Leviticus 6:4,7</a> Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, … <a href="/1_samuel/7-5.htm">1 Samuel 7:5,8</a> And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD… <a href="/1_samuel/12-19.htm">1 Samuel 12:19,23</a> And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king… surely.<a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Genesis 20:18</a> For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.<a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a> But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.<a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Genesis 12:17</a> And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.all.<a href="/genesis/12-15.htm">Genesis 12:15</a> The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.<a href="/numbers/16-32.htm">Numbers 16:32,33</a> And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods… <a href="/2_samuel/24-17.htm">2 Samuel 24:17</a> And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/3-4.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/revelation/22-7.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-10.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/genesis/20-15.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/exodus/7-1.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/genesis/23-17.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/20-10.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 20</div>1. <a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Abraham sojourns at Gerar.</a> 2. <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech.</a> 3. <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">He rebukes Abraham.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Restores Sarah;</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">and reproves her.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now return the man’s wife This command from God to Abimelech underscores the sanctity of marriage, a theme consistent throughout Scripture. The act of returning Sarah to Abraham is a restoration of divine order, reflecting the importance of marital fidelity. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, marriage was a covenantal relationship, and taking another man's wife was a serious offense. This directive also highlights God's protection over His covenant people, ensuring that His promises to Abraham would not be compromised.for he is a prophet This is the first time in the Bible that someone is explicitly called a prophet. Abraham's role as a prophet indicates his unique relationship with God, serving as an intermediary who receives divine revelation. Prophets in the biblical narrative often serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering His messages to others. This designation also foreshadows the prophetic tradition that will be central to Israel's history, with figures like Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah. Abraham's prophetic role is significant in that it establishes a precedent for the function and authority of prophets in guiding God's people.he will pray for you Intercessory prayer is a powerful theme in Scripture, and here Abraham is called to intercede on behalf of Abimelech. This act of prayer demonstrates the power of righteous intercession, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Moses praying for Israel (<a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a>) and Job praying for his friends (<a href="/job/42-10.htm">Job 42:10</a>). It also highlights the grace and mercy of God, who is willing to forgive and restore those who seek Him. Abraham's prayer is a type of Christ's intercessory work, as Jesus is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>).and you will live The promise of life is contingent upon obedience to God's command. This reflects the biblical principle that obedience to God leads to life and blessing, while disobedience leads to death and curse (<a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a>). In the immediate context, Abimelech's life and the lives of his household are spared through compliance with God's directive. This phrase also echoes the broader biblical narrative of salvation, where life is offered through faith and obedience to God's word.But if you do not restore her This conditional statement emphasizes human responsibility and the consequences of disobedience. The choice presented to Abimelech mirrors the choices given to individuals throughout Scripture, where obedience to God results in blessing, and disobedience results in judgment. It serves as a warning that God's commands are not to be taken lightly, and that there are serious repercussions for failing to adhere to His will.be aware that you will surely die The certainty of death as a consequence for disobedience is a recurring theme in the Bible, beginning with the warning given to Adam in <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a>. This phrase underscores the seriousness of sin and the justice of God. It also foreshadows the ultimate penalty for sin, which is spiritual death, as articulated in <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>. The warning to Abimelech serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for repentance and restoration.you and all who belong to you The communal aspect of this warning highlights the interconnectedness of individuals within a community. In the ancient world, the actions of a leader often had repercussions for the entire household or nation. This principle is seen in other biblical accounts, such as Achan's sin affecting all of Israel (Joshua 7) and David's census leading to a plague on the people (2 Samuel 24). It underscores the biblical teaching that sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the individual but also those around them.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> A patriarch and prophet, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. In this chapter, he is in Gerar and has misrepresented his wife Sarah as his sister. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a> Abraham's wife, who is taken by Abimelech because of Abraham's misrepresentation. Her role is crucial in God's covenant with Abraham. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The king of Gerar who unknowingly takes Sarah into his household, believing her to be Abraham's sister. God warns him in a dream to return Sarah to Abraham. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gerar.htm">Gerar</a> A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourn. It is the setting for the events of <a href="/bsb/genesis/20.htm">Genesis 20</a>. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign deity who intervenes in the situation by speaking to Abimelech in a dream, protecting Sarah, and upholding His covenant with Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_prophet.htm">The Role of a Prophet</a> Prophets are chosen by God to intercede and communicate His will. Abraham's role as a prophet is affirmed by God's command to Abimelech. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intercessory_prayer.htm">The Power of Intercessory Prayer</a> Abraham's prayer is pivotal for Abimelech's survival, illustrating the importance and power of praying for others. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a> God actively protects His covenant and His people, intervening directly in human affairs to ensure His plans are fulfilled. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truthfulness.htm">The Importance of Truthfulness</a> Abraham's deception leads to potential disaster, teaching the importance of honesty and trust in God's protection. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> God's warning to Abimelech underscores the serious consequences of disobedience to His commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 20</a> <a href="/q/what_is_christ's_thousand-year_reign.htm">What is Christ's thousand-year reign?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_4_align_with_other_resurrections.htm">How does the resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:18-37) align with or contradict other biblical resurrection accounts?</a> <a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) He is a prophet.--This is not said as an aggravation of Abimelech's sin, but as an encouragement to him to restore Sarah. It is therefore rightly joined with the words "He shall pray for thee." For the word prophet is used here in its old sense of spokesman (comp. Exod. <a href="/genesis/7-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Noah, Come you and all your house into the ark; for you have I seen righteous before me in this generation.">Genesis 7:1</a>, with <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm" title="And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelled in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.">Genesis 4:16</a>), and especially of such an one as mediates between God and man. There was a true feeling that God in His own nature is beyond the reach of man (<a href="/context/job/9-32.htm" title="For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.">Job 9:32-33</a>; <a href="/job/16-21.htm" title="O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!">Job 16:21</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm" title="Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach to; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.">1Timothy 6:16</a>); and this in heathen nations led to men peopling their heavens with a multitude of minor deities. In Israel, after the founding of the prophetic schools by Samuel, the prophets became an order, whose office it was partly to enliven the services of the Temple with sacred minstrelsy (<a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm" title="Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:">1Chronicles 25:1</a>), but chiefly to be God's spokesmen, both declaring His will to Jew and Gentile ( <a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm" title="Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.">Jeremiah 1:5</a>), and also maintaining religion and holiness by earnest preaching and other such means. In this way they were forerunners, and even representatives, of Christ, who is the one true and only Mediator between God and man. Not only Abraham, therefore, but the patriarchs generally are called "Christs and prophets (<a href="/psalms/105-15.htm" title="Saying, Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.">Psalm 105:15</a>), as being speakers for God to man, and for man to God, until the true Christ and prophet came. Abimelech, moreover, is thus taught that he does not himself hold a near relation to God, but requires some one to speak for him; perhaps, too, he would gather from it that he had need of fuller instruction, and that he ought to try to attain to a higher level, and that Abraham would become a prophet to him in its other sense of being a teacher. (For the prophet as an intercessor, see <a href="/context/exodus/8-28.htm" title="And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away: entreat for me.">Exodus 8:28-29</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/9-19.htm" title="For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, with which the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me at that time also.">Deuteronomy 9:19-20</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-5.htm" title="And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you to the LORD.">1Samuel 7:5</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-19.htm" title="And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.">1Samuel 12:19</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-23.htm" title="Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:">1Samuel 12:23</a>; <a href="/1_kings/13-6.htm" title="And the king answered and said to the man of God, Entreat now the face of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God sought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.">1Kings 13:6</a>; <a href="/job/42-8.htm" title="Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.">Job 42:8</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Now therefore restore the man his wife. Literally, the wife of the man, God now speaking of Abraham non tanquam de homine quolibet, sod peculiariter sibi charum (Calvin). For he is a prophet Nabi, from naba, to cause to bubble up; hence to pour forth, applied to one who speaks by a Divine afflatus (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-2.htm">Deuteronomy 13:2</a>; <a href="/judges/6-8.htm">Judges 6:8</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a>; <a href="/1_kings/22-7.htm">1 Kings 22:7</a>). The office of the Nabi was twofold - to announce the will of God to melt <a href="/exodus/4-15.htm">Exodus 4:15</a>; <a href="/exodus/7-1.htm">Exodus 7:1</a>), and also to intercede with God for men (Ver. 7; <a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Jeremiah 7:16</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/11-14.htm">Jeremiah 11:14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/14-11.htm">Jeremiah 14:11</a>). The use of the term Nabi in this place neither proves that the spirit of prophecy had not existed from the beginning (cf. <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25-27</a>), nor shows that the Pentateuch, which always uses this term, cannot be of greater antiquity than the time of Samuel, before which, according to <a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a>, the prophet was called a seer (Bohlen, Hartmann). As used in the Pentateuch the term describes the recipient of Divine revelations, and as such it was incorporated in the Mosaic legislation. During the period of the Judges the term Roeh appears to have come into use, and to have held its ground until the reformation of Samuel, when the older theocratic term was again reverted to (vide Havernick, § 19). And he shall pray for thee (vide supra), and thou shalt live. Literally, live thou, the imperative being used for the future in strong prophetic assurances (cf. <a href="/psalms/128-5.htm">Psalm 128:5</a>; vide Gesenius, § 130). And if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, - literally, dying thou shalt die (cf. <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a>) - thou, and all that are thine. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/20-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time return הָשֵׁ֤ב (hā·šêḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again the man’s הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person wife, אֵֽשֶׁת־ (’ê·šeṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction he ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a prophet; נָבִ֣יא (nā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet he will pray וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל (wə·yiṯ·pal·lêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> To judge, to intercede, pray for you בַּֽעַדְךָ֖ (ba·‘aḏ·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for and you will live. וֶֽחְיֵ֑ה (weḥ·yêh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive But if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you do not אֵֽינְךָ֣ (’ê·nə·ḵā) Adverb | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle restore her, מֵשִׁ֗יב (mê·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again be aware דַּ֚ע (da‘) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you will surely מ֣וֹת (mō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill die— תָּמ֔וּת (tā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every who belong אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that to you.? לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/20-7.htm">Genesis 20:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">OT Law: Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man's wife (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/20-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 20:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/20-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 20:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 20:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>