Genesis 12:18

18 And Pharaoh called (for) Abram, and said to him, What is it that thou hast done to me? why showedest thou not to me that she was thy wife?

Genesis 12:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 12:18

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said
Understanding how it was, that Sarai was his wife, which he came at the knowledge of, either by consulting his priests and diviners, as some say, on account of the plagues inflicted; or rather suspecting they were on the account of Sarai, from the nature of them, sent for her, and questioned her about this affair, who confessed the whole matter to him; unless it can be thought that he was warned of God in a dream, as Abimelech was on a like occasion; however he sent for Abram on what intelligence he had, and justly, though gently, reproved him:

what is this that thou hast done unto me?
to impose upon me, and deceive me after this manner, by giving out that Sarai was thy sister, when she is thy wife; by which means I have been led to prepare to take her for my wife, and have brought plagues upon myself and family? and thus he resented it as an injury done him, as he well might:

why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
when he first took her into his house, and no doubt Abram was present then, and very often afterwards was in company with Pharaoh, and conversed with him, having respect for him for the sake of Sarai, he took to be his sister, and yet would never tell him she was his wife.

Genesis 12:18 In-Context

16 Forsooth they used well Abram for her; and sheep, and oxen, and asses, and servants, and servantesses, and she-asses, and camels were (given) to him. (And Pharaoh treated Abram well because of her; and sheep, and oxen, and donkeys, and male and female slaves, and female donkeys, and camels were given to him.)
17 Forsooth the Lord beat Pharaoh and his house with most vengeances for Sarai, the wife of Abram. (But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with great plagues, because of Sarai, the wife of Abram.)
18 And Pharaoh called (for) Abram, and said to him, What is it that thou hast done to me? why showedest thou not to me that she was thy wife?
19 for what cause saidest thou, that she was thy sister, (so) that I should take her into wife to me? Now therefore lo! thy wife; take thou her, and go(!).
20 And Pharaoh commanded to men on Abram, and they led forth him, and his wife, and all things that he had. (And Pharaoh commanded to his men about Abram, and they sent him away with his wife, and all the things that he had been given.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.