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Chapter 19
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
Abraham and Sarah settle in Gerar on the way to the Negeb. While there, Abraham pretends that Sarah is his sister, and King Abimelech of Gerar takes Sarah for himself. But God warns Abimelech in a dream that he will die if he approaches Sarah; he must return Sarah to Abraham, who is a prophet and will pray for him. So Abimelech does, asking Abraham why he lied about Sarah. Abraham says that he feared being killed in this godless place; besides, Sarah is indeed his half-sister. Abimelech gives riches to Abraham and tells him to settle where he likes. Abraham prays for Abimelech so that God will open the wombs of his wife and other household women.
This story recalls a very similar incident in Genesis 12, right down to Abraham’s claim that Sarah is his sister (the audience’s familiarity with that story seems to be assumed). Interestingly, God identifies Abraham as a prophet, which hasn’t been stated before. One aspect of this prophetic role is intercession, or the ability to pray on another person’s behalf. When Abraham does, God relieves the barrenness with which he’s afflicted Abimelech’s women.
Themes
