From: Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Genesis 20: 1
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:49:03 -0400
"For Hashem had completely restrained every orifice [of the bodies]
(this is Rashi's explanation, Ramban says that it does not refer to
every orifice, but only to the wombs) of the household of Avimelech,
because of Sarah, the wife of Avraham" means that this was
Avimelech's punishment because of the abduction of Sarah - not that
they were punished in order that Avraham could deal with Avimelech,
but they were punished because of what they did, and the punishment
was only resolved when Avraham prayed for them.
Also Sforno explains: "For Hashem had completely restrained every
womb"..."to destroy the embryos if Avimelech had not repented. This
is in accord with the warning given to him in verse 7: "Be aware
that you will surely die, you and all that is yours"".
Also, Rashi explains verse 18 - "Al-Dvar Sarah", not to mean "because
of" Sarah, but literally "by the words of Sarah" - ie; at her bidding.
Also, it is a few chapters earlier, where G-d calls the land that He
gives as an eternal inheritance to Avraham, "C'naan" - (chapter 17
verse 5)
Shoshanna
"God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants; and they bore
children. For the LORD [YHWH] had fast closed up all the wombs of the house
of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife." Genesis 17-18
The reference to "because of Sarah Abraham's wife" at the end means that
Abimelech's own fertility problem was what gave Abraham and Sarah leverage to
deal with Abimelech.