Translations
Original
Notes
Please say you are my sister: This request appears three times in Genesis (see also 20:2; 26:7). The text explains that this was Abram’s usual strategy (20:13), and his son Isaac did the same thing. The first time this happened was outside the land, and the second time within it (chapter 20). This shows that God protected his promise in both regions.
Abram's scheme came from fear, putting his family and God's promises at risk. He lacked faith when he went to Egypt. He stopped building altars, and deception became the main pattern of his behavior. Deception would trouble his family throughout Genesis (26:1–11; 27:1–29; 29:15–30; 30:34–36; 31:6–11; 37:18–35; 39:7–20).
Abram's plan probably followed a custom where a brother arranged his sister's marriage (compare 24:29–61). Abram may have thought that any possible suitor would have to deal with him, giving him time to leave with Sarai. He did not expect Pharaoh to act without negotiation (12:14–16).
This story shows that God would allow Abram to put his promises at risk in this episode. Soon after Abram obeyed God’s call, a famine tested his weak faith. God rescued Abram and his family, even though Abram acted foolishly. In Egypt, he used deception instead of trusting God to protect him.
This story intentionally mirrors Israel's later slavery in Egypt:
Because of a famine (compare Genesis 12:10 with Genesis 47:13), Abram and Israel went to Egypt (compare Genesis 12:10 with Genesis 47:27).
There was an attempt to kill the males and save the females (compare Genesis 12:12 with Exodus 1:22).
God sent plagues to Egypt (compare Genesis 12:17 with Exodus 7:14–11:10).
Abram and Israel took riches from Egypt (compare Genesis 12:16 with Exodus 12:35–36).
Pharaoh expelled them (Hebrew shalakh, meaning “send”; compare Genesis 12:19–20 with Exodus 12:31–33) and they went to the Negev (compare Genesis 13:1 with Numbers 13:17, 22).
Israel was to believe that God would deliver them from bondage in Egypt through the plagues because their ancestor had already been rescued from bondage in Egypt.
Events
Glossary
Abimelech Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the Promise Sarah
Topics
Abraham: Sojourns in Egypt Cowardice: Abraham, in Calling his Wife his Sister Deception: Abraham, in Stating That Sarah Was his Sister Doubting: Exemplified Egypt: The Country of: Abraham Lives In Egyptians: Hospitality of, to Abraham Falsehood: Abraham, in Denying That Sarah Was his Wife Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Pharaoh Marriage: Consanguinous, Abraham and Sarah Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Near of Kin to Abraham Sisters Temptation: Yielding to Sarah, to Lie