Genesis 20:18
New International Version
for the LORD had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.

New Living Translation
For the LORD had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

English Standard Version
For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Berean Standard Bible
for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

King James Bible
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

New King James Version
for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

New American Standard Bible
For the LORD had completely closed all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

NASB 1995
For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

NASB 1977
For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Legacy Standard Bible
For Yahweh had utterly shut all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Amplified Bible
for the LORD had securely closed the wombs of all [the women] in Abimelech’s household because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Christian Standard Bible
for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

American Standard Version
For Jehovah had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

English Revised Version
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(The LORD had made it impossible for any woman in Abimelech's household to have children because of Abraham's wife Sarah.)

International Standard Version
since the LORD had made all the women barren in Abimelech's household on account of Abraham's wife Sarah.

Majority Standard Bible
for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

NET Bible
For the LORD had caused infertility to strike every woman in the household of Abimelech because he took Sarah, Abraham's wife.

New Heart English Bible
For God had made every woman infertile in the household of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the LORD had made barren all the females of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

World English Bible
For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for YHWH restraining had restrained every womb of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Young's Literal Translation
for Jehovah restraining had restrained every womb of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
For shutting up, Jehovah shut up without every womb to the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the Lord had closed up every womb of the house of Abimelech on ac- count of Sara, Abraham's wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Lord had closed every womb of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

New American Bible
for the LORD had closed every womb in Abimelech’s household on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah.

New Revised Standard Version
For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the LORD had fast closed up the wombs of all women in the household of Abimeleck because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because shutting, LORD JEHOVAH had shut every womb of the house of Abimelek publicly, because of Sara the wife of Abraham.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Because the Lord had fast closed from without every womb in the house of Abimelech, because of Sarrha Abraam's wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech
17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children— 18for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

Cross References
Genesis 12:17
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 30:2
Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”

1 Samuel 1:5-6
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.

1 Samuel 5:6-12
Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors. / And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” / So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. ...

2 Samuel 6:23
And Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

2 Kings 4:14-17
So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” / “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. / And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” ...

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 54:1
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Hosea 9:14
Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!

Luke 1:7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

Luke 1:36-37
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:57
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

Acts 5:19-20
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, / “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Acts 12:23
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.


Treasury of Scripture

For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Genesis 20:7
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 12:17
And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Genesis 16:2
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Jump to Previous
Abimelech Abim'elech Abimelech's Abraham's Barren Children Closed Fast Females House Household Kept Restrained Restraining Sarah Tight Wife Womb Wombs Women
Jump to Next
Abimelech Abim'elech Abimelech's Abraham's Barren Children Closed Fast Females House Household Kept Restrained Restraining Sarah Tight Wife Womb Wombs Women
Genesis 20
1. Abraham sojourns at Gerar.
2. Denies his wife, who is taken by Abimelech.
3. Abimelech is reproved for her in a dream.
9. He rebukes Abraham.
14. Restores Sarah;
16. and reproves her.
17. Abimelech and his family are healed at Abraham's prayer.














For the LORD
The phrase "For the LORD" introduces the divine action and authority behind the events described. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. This name is often associated with God's personal relationship with His people, highlighting His role as the ultimate authority and protector of His covenant promises.

had completely closed
The Hebrew root for "closed" is "ʿāṣar," which means to restrain or shut up. This action signifies God's direct intervention in human affairs, demonstrating His power over life and fertility. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was often seen as a sign of divine favor, and its absence as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment. God's ability to "completely close" the wombs underscores His control over creation and His ability to fulfill His purposes.

all the wombs
The phrase "all the wombs" indicates the totality of God's action within Abimelech's household. This comprehensive closure serves as a sign of God's protective measures for Sarah and His covenant with Abraham. In the cultural and historical context, the ability to bear children was crucial for a family's legacy and survival, making this divine act a significant and noticeable intervention.

in the house of Abimelech
"Abimelech" was a common name or title for Philistine kings, meaning "my father is king." The "house of Abimelech" refers to his entire household, including his family and servants. This detail highlights the widespread impact of God's intervention, affecting not just Abimelech personally but his entire domain. Historically, this event underscores the tension between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations, illustrating God's protection over His covenant people.

on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife
The phrase "on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife" clarifies the reason for God's intervention. Sarah's identity as "Abraham’s wife" is crucial, as it ties back to God's covenant promise to Abraham that through Sarah, he would have a son. This divine action protects Sarah's integrity and the promise of Isaac's birth. It also serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage and God's commitment to His covenant promises, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness throughout the narrative.

Verse 18. - For the Lord (Jehovah; vide supra on Ver. 3) had fast closed up all the wombs - i.e. prevented conception, or produced barrenness (cf. Genesis 16:2; Isaiah 66:9; 1 Samuel 1:5, 6; for the opposite, Genesis 29:31; Genesis 30:22); "poena convenientissima; quid enim convenientius esse poterat, quam ut amittat, qui ad se rapit aliena" (Musculus). Vide Havernick, § 19 - of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife - the motive obviously being to protect the purity of the promised seed.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

account
דְּבַ֥ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of Abraham’s
אַבְרָהָֽם׃ (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

wife
אֵ֥שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Sarah,
שָׂרָ֖ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had completely closed
עָצֹ֤ר (‘ā·ṣōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the wombs
רֶ֖חֶם (re·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7358: The womb

in Abimelech’s
אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

household.
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Law: Genesis 20:18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 20:17
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