Bible Trivia Question
What's the Answer?
Which foreign king took Sarah into his harem because Abraham claimed she was his sister?
Nebuchadnezzar
Abimelech
Ahasuerus
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Click to reveal the answerThe answer is: Abimelech
Genesis 20:2 - Abimelech, king of Gerar, took Sarah into his harem after Abraham said she was his sister, but God intervened to prevent anything from happening.
The story of Sarah and Abimelech, while filled with drama, reveals a strong theme of divine protection. It's intriguing to note that Abraham, out of fear for his safety, lied about his relationship with Sarah—a narrative common in ancient times with cultures frequently blending family ties and power dynamics through marriage. Abraham wasn’t alone; his son Isaac would find himself in a similar situation with Abimelech’s descendants, suggesting a recurring theme of trust issues with foreign rulers.
Abimelech’s character shines through this story; he was depicted as a faithful and righteous king who, despite the circumstances, is responsive to God's warning in a dream. This account provides an enduring lesson on the importance of integrity, as well as a reminder that divine interference can lead to the preservation of truth and virtue, against the expectations of human deception.
Here's a fun piece of trivia: the word "harem" actually refers simply to a designation for women living in separate quarters and doesn’t have the same salacious connotation as in today's interpretations. In the context of biblical history, such structures were common and held significant implications regarding status and power, affecting inter-political relations.
Moreover, many scholars see this story as an early reflection of the motifs that play into larger narratives of liberation and faith critiquing human fear contrasted with divine provision. Interestingly, devilish duplicity (Abraham's lie) was counteracted by a divine dose of grace—leading to both awareness and a sense of integrity recognized by Abimelech after divine intervention. Isn't it fascinating how ancient narratives continue to echo quietly into our modern lives?
Similar Bible Trivia Questions
Why did Abraham say Sarah was his sister when they went to Egypt?
God instructed him to
It was part of a political alliance
He wanted to deceive Pharaoh
How did Sarah react when she overheard that she would have a child in her old age?
She cried
She rejoiced
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Which foreign god had a name which translated as "fish god"?
Asherah
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What gift did the King of Gerar give Abraham after returning Sarah to him?
Sheep, cattle, and servants
A royal title
Gold and silver
Who claimed that the golden calf simply came out of the fire?
Moses
Joshua
Isaac
Who hid two spies but claimed not to know of there whereabouts when asked?
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Which king had a sister named Bernice?
Caligula
Agrippa
Claudius