Genesis 20:18 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:18 mean?

Genesis 20:18 says that the LORD had prevented every woman in Abimelech’s household from having children because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. This verse explains that God directly caused infertility in Abimelech’s house as a consequence of Sarah being taken into his household.

This verse comes at the end of the story where Abimelech, the king of Gerar, had taken Sarah, not knowing she was Abraham’s wife. The verse clarifies that God’s intervention was not just a warning to Abimelech but also a physical sign affecting his entire household. It sets up the resolution in the next verses, where God restores the situation after Abimelech returns Sarah.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:18

• "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the action was God’s direct doing, not a natural event.
• "fast closed up" (עָצַר, atsar): This verb means to restrain or shut up tightly. It stresses that the infertility was a deliberate act by God, not just a coincidence or a natural problem.
• "wombs" (רֶחֶם, rechem): This word specifically means the womb, making it clear that the punishment was the inability to bear children, affecting the future of Abimelech’s family.

Why Genesis 20:18 matters

• Genesis 20:18 clears up why God intervened so strongly in Abimelech’s household, showing that the consequences of taking Sarah were immediate and serious.
• The verse highlights God’s protection of Sarah and His involvement in the promises made to Abraham, since Sarah was to be the mother of the promised child.
• By mentioning the closing of wombs, Genesis 20:18 connects to other stories in Genesis where God controls fertility, showing His power over life and family lines.