For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.
Genesis 20:18 belongs to Abraham's sojourn among the Philistines, when lack of trust led him to present Sarah as his sister rather than his wife. Abimelech understood the prohibition against adultery and was directly instructed by God about it. He had knowledge of the true God, and his nation had a much higher regard for morality than the other nations of Palestine.
The verse records that the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because Sarah was Abraham's wife, and by this He protected her. In this it shows God's providential care and interest among people during Abraham's life in His dealing with Abraham's family. Abraham was the chosen progenitor of the Seed, so the verse belongs to the history of beginnings and to God's dealing with the Seed amid the enemy's attempts to thwart His plan.
Its setting connects to God's promised child Isaac coming through Sarah by God's power and promise, not through human schemes such as the plan involving Hagar, with the trouble that followed human efforts contrasted with God's promise. The closing of the wombs itself is not specifically explained. It proves the principles of God's moral law were known before Moses. God used Abimelech to give Abraham a stern rebuke, yet Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent Abraham's household on its journey with rich gifts and goodwill, which is connected to God's blessing on Abraham's household.
Genesis 20:18 belongs to Abraham's sojourn among the Philistines, when lack of trust led him to present Sarah as his sister rather than his wife. Abimelech understood the prohibition against adultery and was directly instructed by God about it. He had knowledge of the true God, and his nation had a much higher regard for morality than the other nations of Palestine.
The verse records that the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because Sarah was Abraham's wife, and by this He protected her. In this it shows God's providential care and interest among people during Abraham's life in His dealing with Abraham's family. Abraham was the chosen progenitor of the Seed, so the verse belongs to the history of beginnings and to God's dealing with the Seed amid the enemy's attempts to thwart His plan.
Its setting connects to God's promised child Isaac coming through Sarah by God's power and promise, not through human schemes such as the plan involving Hagar, with the trouble that followed human efforts contrasted with God's promise. The closing of the wombs itself is not specifically explained. It proves the principles of God's moral law were known before Moses. God used Abimelech to give Abraham a stern rebuke, yet Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent Abraham's household on its journey with rich gifts and goodwill, which is connected to God's blessing on Abraham's household.