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
God spoke these words to King Abimelech of Gerar in a dream after the king had taken Sarah into his household, not knowing she was Abraham's wife. Abraham had told a half-truth, saying Sarah was his sister (which she was, by a different mother) rather than revealing she was his wife, fearing the king might kill him to take her. This is the second time Abraham used this deception strategy to protect himself.
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