Genesis 12:10-20

Abram in Egypt

10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine in the land was severe.

11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are.

12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' They will kill me but let you live.

13 Please say you're my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account."

14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.

15 Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken to Pharaoh's house.

16 He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels.

17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with severe plagues because of Abram's wife Sarai.

18 So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?

19 Why did you say, 'She's my sister,' so that I took her as my wife? Now, here's your wife. Take her and go!"

20 Then Pharaoh gave [his] men orders about him, and they sent him away, with his wife and all he had.

Genesis 12:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 12

In this chapter an account is given of the call of Abram to depart from his own country, with a promise of a divine blessing, Ge 12:1-3 of his obedience to it, Ge 12:4,5 of his journey through the land of Canaan, and of the Lord's appearance to him in it, and his promise of it to his seed, and of Abram's building altars in it, and calling on the name of the Lord, Ge 12:6-9 and of a famine there, which occasioned him to go into Egypt, Ge 12:10 where, through fear of being slain, he desired his wife to call herself his sister, Ge 12:11-13 and she being greatly admired by the Egyptians for her beauty, it went well with Abram for her sake, Ge 12:14-16 but the Egyptians were plagued because of her, who, when they understood she was Abram's wife, sent them both away, and all that belonged to them, Ge 12:17-20.