Genesis 12:12

Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians {H4713} shall see {H7200} thee, that they shall say {H559}, This is his wife {H802}: and they will kill {H2026} me, but they will save thee alive {H2421}.

so that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, โ€˜This is his wife,โ€™ and kill me but keep you alive.

and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, โ€˜This is his wife.โ€™ Then they will kill me but will let you live.

and it will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

Commentary

Genesis 12:12 records Abram's (later Abraham) fear and a proposed deceptive plan as he and his wife, Sarai, journey into Egypt. This verse reveals Abram's human vulnerability and lack of faith in God's immediate protection, despite the grand promises just given to him.

Context

This verse immediately follows God's momentous call to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3, where the Lord commanded him to leave his country and promised to make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. Crucially, God also promised to bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him (Genesis 12:3). However, a severe famine in the land of Canaan forced Abram to go down to Egypt. Faced with the beauty of his wife Sarai, Abram anticipates that the Egyptians might kill him to take her, revealing a moment where his trust in God's recent, powerful promises falters.

Key Themes

  • Human Fear and Mistrust: Abram's fear for his life overrides his faith in God's divine protection. This highlights a common human struggle: succumbing to fear and anxiety even after receiving clear assurances from God.
  • The Temptation of Deception: To avoid perceived danger, Abram devises a plan involving a half-truth (Sarai was indeed his half-sister, but also his wife), which becomes a recurring motif of Abram's lack of faith later in his life. This reveals how fear can lead even righteous individuals to compromise moral principles.
  • God's Unwavering Sovereignty: Though not explicit in this verse, the subsequent narrative demonstrates that despite Abram's failing, God's covenant promises remain secure. God will intervene to protect His chosen one and ensure His plan unfolds, regardless of human weakness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "see" (ืจึธืึธื”, ra'ah) implies more than just a casual glance; it suggests a recognition or observation that leads to action, specifically covetous desire in this context. Abram's fear of being "killed" (ื”ึธืจึทื’, harag) reflects a genuine concern in a culture where powerful rulers could easily appropriate women and eliminate obstacles.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even great figures of faith, like Abram, struggled with doubt and fear. It challenges us to examine moments when we allow fear of circumstances to overshadow our trust in God's promises and provision. Instead of devising our own solutions born of anxiety, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart, leaning not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). God remains faithful even when our faith falters, but our choices can lead to unnecessary complications and distress.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 20:11

    And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God [is] not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

  • Genesis 26:7

    And the men of the place asked [him] of his wife; and he said, She [is] my sister: for he feared to say, [She is] my wife; lest, [said he], the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she [was] fair to look upon.

  • Proverbs 29:25

    ยถ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • 1 John 1:8

    ยถ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • 1 John 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  • 1 Samuel 27:1

    ยถ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
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