Genesis 12:17

17 But the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Genesis 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 12:17

And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great
plagues
Perhaps with the same sort that Abimelech and his servants were smote with on a like account, ( Genesis 20:17 Genesis 20:18 ) . The Jews

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 say they were smitten with ulcers; not only Pharaoh was plagued, but those of his household also, his courtiers and servants, who were accessary to the bringing of Sarai into his house; for all this was

because of Sarai, Abram's wife;
or "upon the word of Sarai" ^F9, as it may be literally rendered: hence the Jews have a notion, that an angel stood by Sarai with a scourge in his hand, and when Sarai bid him smite Pharaoh, he smote him ^F11; but (rbd) signifies not a word only, but thing, matter and business: and so Onkelos renders it here: and the sense is, that Pharaoh and his courtiers were smitten, because of the affair and business of Sarai; because she was taken by them, and detained in Pharaoh's house, and designed to be made his wife or concubine; and thus for evil intentions was this punishment inflicted; so that evil designs, not brought into execution, are punishable; though the word of Sarai may mean what she was bid to say, and did.
F8 Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 41. fol. 35. 4.
F9 (yrv rbd le) "propter verbum Sarai", Montanus; "super verbo", Munster, Piscator.
F11 Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, ut supra. (sect. 41. fol. 35. 4.)

Genesis 12:17 In-Context

15 And the princes told Pharao, and praised her before him: and the woman was taken into the house of Pharao.

16 And they used Abram well for her sake. And he had sheep and oxen and he asses, and men servants, and maid servants, and she asses, and camels.

17 But the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram’s wife.

18 And Pharao called Abram, and said to him: What is this that thou hast done to me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

19 For what cause didst thou say, she was thy sister, that I might take her to my wife? Now therefore there is thy wife, take her, and go thy way.