With verse 13 Abraham has completed his defense. Abimelech appears to be anxious to close the affair and to receive the benefits of Abraham’s prayers for him as promised by God in Gen 20.7.

Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves, and gave them to Abraham: Then may not be an adequate transition in the discourse structure for some languages. In some cases it may be necessary to say, for example, “After Abraham had finished speaking,” “After Abraham had told Abimelech all these things,” or “When Abimelech had heard all that Abraham told him.”

Sheep includes both sheep and goats. Oxen translates a word referring to cattle generally and not just to work animals. Male and female slaves translates the same words rendered “menservants and maidservants” in 12.16. For a discussion of slaves see the comments on 9.25-27.

And restored Sarah his wife to him: restored is as in Gen 20.7. We may translate “He also gave Abraham back his wife” or “He also returned Sarah to Abraham.” Note that Good News Translation has placed the return of Sarah before the gift of animals and slaves. This provides for better continuity between verses 13 and 14.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .