Definition: For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abrahamâs wife.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this biblical passage together. It’s a pretty fascinating and somewhat mysterious story! Here’s an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: Abimelech is searching for his lost brother. Abimelech was a man who lived in Moab and was desperately trying to find his brother, Yitzhaq, who had been abducted by God. He was incredibly worried and searching everywhere. Sarah Abraham's wife appears. Suddenly, Sarah Abraham’s wife appears to Abimelech. She’s a woman named “the daughter of the young man of the wood.” The Lord stops her. The Bible says that God stopped her from having any children. This is a big deal – it's like a magical pause in time! What Does It Mean? (Putting it into simpler terms): This verse describes a situation where God, in his power and wisdom, decided to prevent a difficult pregnancy for Abimelech’s family. It wasn’t a punishment, but rather a way of protecting the family from potential trouble or hardship. “Fast closed up all the wombs” : This is a metaphorical way of saying that God blocked the path to a child being born. It's like he shut off all the possibilities for a baby to be created. “Because of Sarah Abraham’s wife” : This is the key part. The verse says that this blockage was caused by Sarah Abraham’s wife. She was a woman who was having a difficult pregnancy – likely because of a complicated or problematic situation. Why is it important? This story is significant for several reasons: God's Sovereignty: It shows God has ultimate control over creation and its outcomes. He doesn’t just do things; he actively chooses to stop things from happening. Protection of Family: The verse emphasizes that God is concerned with protecting the family and preventing problems, even if it means a difficult situation for one person. A Moment of Divine Intervention: It highlights a moment where God intervened in a natural event – a pregnancy – to prevent something negative from occurring. In essence, this verse tells us that God sometimes uses unexpected circumstances to protect his people and maintain balance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the significance of Sarah Abraham’s wife in more detail? Connect this passage to other biblical stories or teachings?