Genesis 12:12

12 and that when (the) Egyptians shall see thee, they shall say, It is his wife, and they shall slay me, and keep thee (and then they shall kill me, but keep thee alive).

Genesis 12:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 12:12

Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall
see thee
Who were a lustful people, and whose eyes would soon be fastened upon, and be taken with the beauty of Sarai:

that they shall say, this is his wife;
this beautiful woman is such a man's wife:

and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive;
so great a regard had they in those times, and even in Heathen countries, to the laws of marriage, that they chose rather to be guilty of murder than of adultery, though a lustful people; and therefore would, as Abram feared, take away his life, that it might be free and lawful for them to marry Sarai.

Genesis 12:12 In-Context

10 Soothly hunger was made in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt, to be a pilgrim there (to live there for a while), for hunger had the mastery in the land.

11 And when he was nigh to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai, his wife, I know that thou art a fair woman,

12 and that when (the) Egyptians shall see thee, they shall say, It is his wife, and they shall slay me, and keep thee (and then they shall kill me, but keep thee alive).

13 Therefore, I beseech thee, say that thou art my sister, that it be well to me for thee, and that my life live for the love of thee. (And so I beseech thee, say that thou art my sister, and then all shall be well with me, because of thee, and I shall remain alive, because thou hast shown thy love for me.)

14 And so when Abram had entered into Egypt, (the) Egyptians saw the woman, (and) that she was full fair;