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.
Now give the man back his wife, because he is a prophet, and he will pray for you so that you will live. But if you don't give her back, know for certain that you will die, you and everyone who belongs to you.
God is commanding King Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham immediately, warning that Abraham's prayers as a prophet are the only thing that will save the king's life.
📚 Historical Context
In Genesis 20, Abraham and his wife Sarah are traveling in the region of Gerar, where Abraham fears for his life and lies to King Abimelech by saying Sarah is his sister rather than his wife. Abimelech takes Sarah into his household, but God intervenes in a dream, warning him of the danger and commanding him to return her, as Abraham is a prophet who can pray for Abimelech's protection and survival. This narrative underscores God's sovereignty in protecting His covenant people and the role of prophets in interceding for others in ancient patriarchal societies.
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