- Genesis 20:3,7
"You are a dead man because of the woman you have taken—she is a married woman." ... "Now return the woman to the man. He is a prophet, so he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you and all who belong to you will die."
God speaks to Abimelech in a dream after Abimelech has taken Sarah into his household because Abraham had presented her as his sister (Genesis 20:1-2). God identifies Sarah as Abraham's wife, warns Abimelech that taking her brings death, orders her returned, and predicts that Abraham's prayer will preserve Abimelech's life if Abimelech obeys.
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Fulfilled inGenesis 20:17-18
Abimelech obeyed by returning Sarah (Genesis 20:9-10,14-15,16). Abraham prayed (Genesis 20:17), and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants so they bore children again. The narrative records God withholding Abimelech from sin (v.6) and the life-saving effect of Abraham's prayer, fulfilling the dream-warning that obedience and Abraham's prayer would result in life rather than death.
This oracle displays God's sovereign protection of the Abrahamic household and the covenant line, demonstrates God's authority over foreign rulers and nations, and affirms the efficacy of prayer offered by God's servant (Abraham). It also shows God's holiness in judging potential covenant-violation and his mercy when people obey and repent. The episode underscores God's preservation of the promised line through Sarah, a theme central to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
- Genesis 20:1-2 (background: Abraham's deception about Sarah)
- Genesis 20:6 (God's recognition that He withheld Abimelech from sin)
- Genesis 20:17-18 (narrative account of Abraham's prayer and God's healing)
- Genesis 12:10-20 (a parallel incident in Egypt where a ruler takes Sarah and God intervenes)
- Genesis 21:1-2 (continuation of God's preservation of the promise in the birth of Isaac)