Verse
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Genesis 20:18

ESV For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham 's wife.
NIV for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
NASB For the Lord had completely closed all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
CSB for the Lord had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
NLT For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.
KJV For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
NKJV for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

What does Genesis 20:18 mean?

The previous verse reveals that in response to Abraham's prayer for their healing, God restored the ability of Abimelech's wife and his female slaves to bear children. This verse concludes that God had closed all the wombs of all the women in the house of Abimelech because of Sarah. She had been taken in as a wife, by Abimelech, who was deceived by a lie told by Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 20:2–3).

This established two points that are important when interpreting this incident. First, Sarah must have been in Abimelech's household for a while before God appeared to him in the dream. She had to be there long enough for it to become apparent that the women of the household could not bear children. That's not something one can realize in a few short days, or even weeks.

Second, this shows us once again that God exercises complete control over fertility, giving and withholding children as He sees fit. Psalm 127:3 indicates that children are a gift from the Lord. He sometimes withholds them in judgment, as He did here, or until the time is right, as will happen with the birth of Isaac in the following chapter. At still other times, He withholds children without explanation or condemnation. In all cases, His people are called to trust the Father's timing, His grace, and His love.
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