Study note

Genesis 12:14–16

  • Abram was bound by the king’s gift to an unwanted agreement about Sarai that he did not want and could not stop. His plan had put him in a dangerous situation. It put Abram, Sarai, and the promise at risk.

  • Abram seemed to gain wealth from his deception, but these new possessions also led to new problems. Abram and Lot had to separate (chapter 13). Hagar, an Egyptian servant, later became the mother of Ishmael’s descendants (chapter 16). In the Bible, these descendants are often shown as being in conflict with Israel.