Genesis 12:11-13

11 It came about when he came * near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a 1beautiful woman;
12 2and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife '; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13 "Please say that you are 3my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that 4I may live on account of you."

Genesis 12:11-13 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.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Genesis 26:7; Genesis 29:17
  • 2. Genesis 20:11
  • 3. Gen 20:2, 5, 12; Genesis 26:7
  • 4. Jeremiah 38:17, 20

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Lit "drew near to enter"
  • [b]. Lit "woman of beautiful appearance"
  • [c]. Lit "my soul"
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