Genesis — Chapter 20

NOW THEREFORE RESTORE THE MAN HIS WIFE: FOR HE IS A PROPHET, AND SHALL PRAY FOR THEE, AND THOU SHALT LIVE. — \"He is a prophet\" = he is a holy man who speaks with God. God here explicitly calls Abraham a prophet — the first use of the word \"prophet\" in Scripture. Lapide: seven meanings of \"prophet\" (citing his commentary on 1 Cor. 14 at length). Here the primary meaning is: one who speaks with God and in God's name intercedes for others. Note: God heals Abimelech through Abraham's prayer — teaching that the intercession of holy men before God is efficacious and that we should seek their prayers.