Genesis 12:11

11 It happened, when he was come near to enter into Mitzrayim, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look on.

Genesis 12:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 12:11

And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into
Egypt
Just entering into it, having travelled from the mountain between Bethel and Hai, two hundred and forty miles ^F16; or when he "caused to come near" ^F17, either his camp, as Aben Ezra supplies it, or his tent, or his family, as others:

that he said unto Sarai his wife, behold now, I know that thou art
a fair woman to look upon;
though sixty five years of age, being ten years younger than her husband, see ( Genesis 17:17 ) who was now seventy five years old, ( Genesis 12:4 ) yet might still be a fair woman, having a good complexion and comely features, and having never bore children, and especially she would be reckoned so among the Egyptians, whose women were of a blackish, sallow, swarthy complexion.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Travels of the Holy Patriarchs p. 56.
F17 (byrqh rvak) "quum admoveret, sub tentorium", so some in Vatablus; "familiam", Munster.

Genesis 12:11 In-Context

9 Avram journeyed, going on still toward the South.

10 There was a famine in the land. Avram went down into Mitzrayim to sojourn there, for the famine was sore in the land.

11 It happened, when he was come near to enter into Mitzrayim, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look on.

12 It will happen, when the Mitzrim will see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife.' They will kill me, but they will save you alive.

13 Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you."