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Genesis 20:16 - Silver atones for shame?

Genesis 20:16 - בראשית 20:16

Hebrew Text

וּלְשָׂרָה אָמַר הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי אֶלֶף כֶּסֶף לְאָחִיךְ הִנֵּה הוּא־לָךְ כְּסוּת עֵינַיִם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר אִתָּךְ וְאֵת כֹּל וְנֹכָחַת׃

English Translation

And to Sara he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, it is to thee a covering of the eyes, to all that are with thee, and unto all others: thus she was reproved.

Transliteration

Ule'Sarah amar hineh natati elef kesef le'achich hineh hu-lach kesut einayim lechol asher itach ve'et kol venochachat.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּלְשָׂרָ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֜תִּי אֶ֤לֶף כֶּ֙סֶף֙ לְאָחִ֔יךְ הִנֵּ֤ה הוּא־לָךְ֙ כְּס֣וּת עֵינַ֔יִם לְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֑ךְ וְאֵ֥ת כֹּ֖ל וְנֹכָֽחַת׃
וּלְשָׂרָ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֜תִּי אֶ֤לֶף כֶּ֙סֶף֙ לְאָחִ֔יךְ הִנֵּ֤ה הוּא־לָךְ֙ כְּס֣וּת עֵינַ֔יִם לְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֑ךְ וְאֵ֥ת כֹּ֖ל וְנֹכָֽחַת׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereshit 20:16) appears in the narrative where Avimelech, king of Gerar, returns Sarah to Avraham after realizing she was Avraham’s wife, not his sister. Avimelech gives Sarah a thousand pieces of silver as a form of restitution and honor, referring to it as "a covering of the eyes."

Meaning of "Covering of the Eyes"

Rashi explains that the phrase "כְּסוּת עֵינַיִם" (covering of the eyes) signifies that the silver was given to Sarah as a means of appeasement and atonement for the distress caused to her. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 52:13) elaborates that this gift was meant to restore her dignity and serve as a public acknowledgment of her righteousness, countering any suspicion or shame.

The Significance of the Thousand Pieces of Silver

  • Ramban (Nachmanides) suggests that the large sum—a thousand pieces of silver—was a royal gesture, demonstrating Avimelech’s sincerity in making amends.
  • Ibn Ezra notes that this amount was substantial, symbolizing both compensation and honor, as befitting Sarah’s elevated status.

Reproof and Rectification

The phrase "וְנֹכָחַת" (and she was reproved) is interpreted by Rashi to mean that Sarah’s honor was publicly vindicated. The Talmud (Bava Kama 92a) connects this to the principle that one who causes embarrassment must seek forgiveness and provide restitution to restore the dignity of the wronged party.

Broader Ethical Lessons

This episode teaches the importance of:

  • Teshuvah (Repentance): Avimelech’s actions model sincere repentance, including acknowledgment of wrongdoing and tangible restitution.
  • Kavod HaBriyot (Human Dignity): The Torah emphasizes the need to protect and restore a person’s honor when it has been compromised.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'covering of the eyes' mean in Genesis 20:16?
A: Rashi explains that the phrase 'covering of the eyes' refers to appeasement or compensation given to Sara. The silver was meant to show respect and make amends for any embarrassment caused to her (Rashi on Genesis 20:16).
Q: Why did Avimelech give Sara a thousand pieces of silver?
A: Avimelech gave Sara the silver as a public acknowledgment of her righteousness and to demonstrate that she was completely innocent in the situation (Ramban on Genesis 20:16). It was also a way to restore her honor after the incident.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 20:16?
A: This verse teaches the importance of making amends when we wrong someone. Avimelech not only apologized but also gave tangible compensation to restore Sara's dignity (based on Talmudic principles of repentance and restitution).
Q: How does the concept of 'covering the eyes' apply today?
A: Today, this teaches us that when we cause someone distress, we should take active steps to 'cover' or rectify the situation - whether through apology, compensation, or public vindication of their honor (based on Jewish ethical teachings).
Q: Why is the amount 'a thousand pieces of silver' significant?
A: The large amount shows the seriousness with which Avimelech took the offense. In Jewish tradition, the number 1,000 often represents completeness, suggesting full compensation was given (Midrashic interpretations on numbers in Torah).