Genesis 12:17

Translations

Modern

The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

Traditional

And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.

Literal

And YHWH plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of the matter of Sarai, wife of Abram.

Latin

Flagellavit autem Dominus Pharaonem plagis maximis, et domum ejus, propter Sarai uxorem Abram.

Original

Hebrew

English

The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

Notes

Genesis 12:17–19

God intervened to rescue Sarai and to preserve her marriage to Abram so that the covenant promise could be fulfilled. When Sarai was returned to Abram, Pharaoh rebuked him because of what had happened (12:18–19).

Genesis 12:10–20

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Egypt Isaac Sarah Symbolic Numbers The Plagues

Events

Abraham goes to Egyptc. 1921 BC

Related verses

1 Chronicles 16:21
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:
Genesis 20:18
…for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.
Psalm 105:14–15
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:
1 Chronicles 21:22
Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to the LORD. Sell it to me for the full price, so that the plague upon the people may be halted.”
Job 34:19
…who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Pharaoh: Egyptian ruler during Abraham's visit Sarah: Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac

Glossary

Abimelech Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the Promise

Topics

Abraham: Sojourns in Egypt Cowardice: Abraham, in Calling his Wife his Sister Egypt: The Country of: Abraham Lives In Egyptians: Hospitality of, to Abraham Falsehood: Abraham, in Denying That Sarah Was his Wife God: Preserver: To Abraham and Sarah, in Egypt Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Pharaoh Pharaoh: King of Egypt at the Time of Abraham Rulers: Righteous: Pharaoh, in his Treatment of Abraham Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Near of Kin to Abraham

Genesis 12:17

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?