Genesis 12:18

Translations

Modern

So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?

Traditional

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Literal

And Pharaoh called to Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?

Latin

Vocavitque Pharao Abram, et dixit ei: Quidnam est hoc quod fecisti mihi? quare non indicasti quod uxor tua esset?

Original

Hebrew

English

So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?

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

Genesis 20:9–10
Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
Genesis 26:9–11
Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.”
1 Samuel 14:43
“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
Genesis 3:13
Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”
Exodus 32:21
“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”
Genesis 4:10
“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.
Joshua 7:19
So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
Genesis 44:15
“What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?”
Genesis 31:26
Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war!

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Pharaoh: Egyptian ruler during Abraham's visit

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 Chiding: Pharaoh Chides Abraham, for Calling his Wife his Sister Conscience: Faithful of Pharaoh, when he Took Abraham's Wife for a Concubine 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 Integrity: Pharaoh, when he Learned That Sarah Was Abraham's Wife 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 Temptation: Abraham Leads Pharaoh

Genesis 12:18

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