King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Pharaoh called Avram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife?
Berean Standard Bible:
So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?
American Standard Version:
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?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Pharaoh{H6547} called{H7121} Abram{H87}, and said{H559}, What is this that thou hast done{H6213} unto me? why didst thou not tell{H5046} me that she was thy wife{H802}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 20:9
- Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
Genesis 20:10
- And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
Genesis 26:9
- And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she [is] thy wife: and how saidst thou, She [is] my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
Genesis 26:11
- And Abimelech charged all [his] people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
Proverbs 21:1
- ¶ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
1 Samuel 14:43
- Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die.
Genesis 4:10
- And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 12:18
**Themes:**
1. **Deception and Consequences:** The verse highlights Abram's deception of Pharaoh by not disclosing his marital relationship with Sarai, presenting her as his sister to protect himself. This theme explores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the patriarchs and the consequences of their actions.
2. **Divine Protection and Providence:** Despite Abram's deception, God protects Sarai from being taken as Pharaoh's wife, showcasing the theme of divine providence and protection over God's chosen people and the fulfillment of His promises.
3. **Integrity and Truthfulness:** The encounter between Pharaoh and Abram underscores the importance of integrity and truthfulness, as Abram's compromise of the truth leads to complications and potential endangerment of his wife.
**Historical Context:**
Set in the ancient Near East, this event occurs during Abram's journey to Canaan at the command of God, who has promised to make him a great nation. Due to a famine, Abram and his wife Sarai travel to Egypt. Fearing that the Egyptians might kill him to take his beautiful wife, Abram asks Sarai to pretend to be his sister. The historical context reflects the societal norms and dangers of the time, where a woman's status and a stranger's safety were precarious. Pharaoh's royal court in Egypt was powerful and could easily absorb or eliminate a foreign individual like Abram. The verse captures a moment of tension between the nascent Hebrew nation (represented by Abram) and the great civilizations of the ancient world (Egypt, represented by Pharaoh). It also sets the stage for God's intervention, which is crucial for the unfolding of the biblical narrative and the establishment of His covenant with Abram's descendants.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H87
There are 17014 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâm
Pronunciation: ab-rawm'
Description: contracted from אֲבִירָם; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham; Abram. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.