“And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.”
Genesis 20:16 is a verse from the book of Genesis, specifically from the account of Abraham’s encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar. In this passage, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, had been taken into Abimelech’s household because Abraham had claimed that Sarah was his sister, fearing that the king might kill him to take her as his wife. However, God intervened and warned Abimelech in a dream that Sarah was actually Abraham’s wife. Abimelech, being a righteous man, returned Sarah to Abraham and confronted him about the situation.
Context:In verse 16, Abimelech speaks to Sarah and says, “Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.”
In this statement, Abimelech acknowledges the seriousness of the situation and seeks to make amends. Let’s explore the key elements of this verse.
Analysis:“I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver”: Abimelech presents a gift of a thousand pieces of silver to Sarah, referring to Abraham as her brother. This gesture could be seen as a form of restitution for any harm or distress caused to Sarah as a result of her temporary separation from Abraham. It demonstrates Abimelech’s desire to make things right and appease any potential grievances.
Abimelech’s actions:“He is to thee a covering of the eyes”: Abimelech acknowledges that Abraham’s presence and protection serve as a covering for Sarah’s honor and well‑being. By returning Sarah to Abraham, Abimelech ensures that she is under the care and guardianship of her rightful husband, with the hope that this will safeguard her reputation and preserve her dignity.
Consequences:“Unto all that are with thee, and with all other”: Abimelech extends this gesture of protection and honor not only to Sarah but also to anyone associated with her. This includes their household and any others who might have been affected by the situation. Abimelech wants to make it clear that he recognizes Sarah’s rightful position as Abraham’s wife and seeks to restore her honor in the eyes of the community.
Conclusion:“Thus she was reproved”: This phrase signifies the conclusion of the incident and indicates that Sarah’s situation has been rectified. Abimelech’s actions, along with God’s intervention, serve as a reproof to Abraham for his deceptive claim about Sarah being his sister.
This event serves as a lesson for Abraham to trust in God’s protection rather than resorting to deception in difficult circumstances.
