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 20:7KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 20:7 (KJV)

What does Genesis 20:7 mean?

Genesis 20:7 records God telling Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham because Abraham is a prophet who can pray for Abimelech’s life; if Abimelech does not return her, he and his household will die. The verse highlights the seriousness of taking another man’s wife and the special role of Abraham as an intercessor.

God is speaking directly to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, in a dream after Abimelech unknowingly took Sarah, Abraham’s wife. God warns Abimelech that Abraham is a prophet (someone who speaks to God and for God) and that Abraham’s prayer can save him. This moment shows both the danger Abimelech is in and the respect God gives to Abraham’s relationship with Him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 20:7

  • restore (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means “to return” or “to give back.” God’s command to Abimelech is not just to let Sarah go, but to actively return her to Abraham, stressing the need to correct the wrong.
  • prophet (נָבִיא, navi’): This is the first time the word “prophet” appears in the Bible. Here, it means someone who has a special connection to God and can intercede for others, showing Abraham’s unique status.
  • pray (פָּלַל, palal): This word means “to intercede” or “to mediate.” God is saying Abraham’s prayer has real power to affect Abimelech’s fate, emphasizing the importance of intercessory prayer.
  • surely die (מוֹת תָּמוּת, mot tamut): This phrase doubles the word for “die,” making the warning very strong. It means Abimelech’s death is certain if he does not obey.

Why Genesis 20:7 matters

  • Genesis 20:7 clears up that Abraham’s role as a prophet is recognized by God Himself, not just by people, and that prophets can pray for others’ wellbeing.
  • The verse shows that even unintentional wrongdoing (Abimelech did not know Sarah was married) still needs to be set right, but God gives a way for mercy through Abraham’s intercession.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by showing God’s protection over Abraham and Sarah, and how God’s promises to Abraham are safeguarded even in foreign lands.

Where else these words appear

“thee” Hebrew H1157 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Kings 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.