Genesis 12:13

KJV

Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Say {H559}, I pray thee {H4994}, thou art my sister {H269}: that {H4616} it may be well {H3190} with me for thy sake; and my soul {H5315} shall live {H2421} because of thee {H1558}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Please say that you are my sister, so that it will go well with me for your sake, and so that I will stay alive because of you.”

Berean Standard Bible

Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”

American Standard Version

Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because of thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 12:13 records Abram's fearful instruction to Sarai to present herself as his sister in Egypt, a strategic deception intended to secure his own safety and well-being. This pivotal moment, occurring immediately after God's profound covenant promises, starkly reveals a lapse in Abram's faith and underscores the tension between human fear and divine faithfulness, ultimately highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His chosen servant despite human weakness and sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of Abram. It immediately follows God's momentous call and promises in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promises to Abram"), where the Lord commanded Abram to leave his homeland and promised to make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless all who blessed him, through whom all families of the earth would be blessed. Abram's journey to Egypt, driven by a severe famine in Canaan, represents a deviation from the promised land, and his subsequent deception of Pharaoh concerning Sarai's identity stands in stark contrast to the divine assurances he had just received. This incident foreshadows later similar events, particularly with Abimelech in [Genesis 20](/genesis/20 "Abraham and Abimelech"), establishing a recurring pattern of human frailty within the unfolding divine plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly Egypt, was a powerful and often dangerous realm for foreigners. Pharaohs wielded absolute authority, and the abduction of beautiful women for royal harems was not uncommon, sometimes involving the elimination of their male relatives. Abram's fear was rooted in a genuine, albeit faithless, assessment of the potential dangers. Furthermore, the concept of a "sister-wife" was known in some ancient cultures (e.g., Nuzi texts), where a woman designated as a "sister" might have elevated status and protection. While Sarai was indeed Abram's half-sister ([Genesis 20:12](/genesis/20-12 "Sarai Confirmed as Abraham's Half-Sister")), the intent here was clearly deceptive, leveraging a partial truth to conceal the full marital relationship and avoid perceived mortal danger.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 12:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **divine promise and human response**, showing how even a man chosen by God can falter in faith when confronted with fear. It underscores **God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty**, demonstrating that His covenant promises will prevail despite human weakness and sin, as seen in His subsequent intervention to protect Sarai and Abram. The incident also introduces the theme of **deception and its consequences**, revealing how such actions, even when motivated by self-preservation, can lead to complications and require divine intervention. This narrative is crucial for understanding the complex character of Abram and the nature of God's redemptive plan, which often works through imperfect individuals.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **yâṭab (Hebrew, _yâṭab'_):** This root, translated as "it may be well" (H3190), signifies to be or make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right). Abram's plea "that it may be well with me" reveals his desire for a favorable outcome, not merely survival, but a state of ease, prosperity, and acceptance in the eyes of the Egyptians. It implies a desire to be treated "good" or "benefited" by Pharaoh, indicating a self-serving motive beyond mere life preservation.
* **châyâh (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** Translated as "shall live" (H2421), this primitive root means "to live," whether literally or figuratively, and causatively, "to revive." Abram's statement "my soul shall live" expresses a direct concern for his physical existence. This word choice emphasizes the stark, life-or-death scenario Abram perceived, where his very vitality and continued existence were at stake, leading him to prioritize self-preservation above all else.
* **nephesh (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** Rendered as "my soul" (H5315), this term refers to a breathing creature, vitality, or the self. In this context, "my soul shall live" means "I myself shall live," emphasizing the personal, existential threat Abram felt. It highlights the deep, internal fear that drove his actions, demonstrating how his very being was consumed by the perceived danger, leading him to compromise his integrity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister:"** This is Abram's direct, albeit softened by the particle "I pray thee" (נָא, _nâʼ_), command to Sarai. It is a calculated instruction for deception, a half-truth designed to mislead. While Sarai was indeed his half-sister, the intent was to conceal her status as his wife, thereby presenting her as available and protecting Abram from perceived harm. The use of "I pray thee" adds a veneer of politeness to a request that demands a profound compromise from Sarai.
* **"that it may be well with me for thy sake;"** This clause explicitly states Abram's primary motivation: his own well-being and favorable treatment. He believed that by presenting Sarai as his sister, he would be treated favorably by the Egyptians, who would then seek to gain favor with him (her supposed brother) in order to acquire her. This reveals a self-serving motive, where personal safety and comfort are prioritized over truth and the integrity of his wife and their covenant relationship.
* **"and my soul shall live because of thee."** This final clause underscores the depth of Abram's fear and the perceived mortal peril. He genuinely believed his life was in jeopardy if his true relationship with Sarai were known. This fear, however, stands in stark contrast to the recent, powerful promises of God to protect and bless him, demonstrating a profound, albeit temporary, failure to fully trust in the very God who had called him and pledged His unwavering support.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Abram, the recipient of magnificent divine promises of protection and blessing, resorts to human deceit out of fear for his life. This stands in stark contrast to the omnipotent God who just called him. There is also **foreshadowing**, as this incident prefigures a similar deception involving Sarai (now Sarah) and King Abimelech in [Genesis 20:2](/genesis/20-2 "Abraham's Similar Deception with Abimelech"), highlighting a recurring character flaw in the patriarch. The entire passage presents a powerful **contrast** between God's steadfast faithfulness and Abram's wavering faith, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention to protect His covenant people despite their imperfections.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 12:13 serves as a sobering reminder that even those chosen by God and recipients of His magnificent promises are prone to human weakness, fear, and sin. Abram's actions starkly illustrate the tension between trusting in divine providence and succumbing to worldly anxieties, demonstrating that faith is not a static state but a dynamic journey often tested by daunting circumstances. Yet, this incident also powerfully showcases God's unwavering faithfulness; despite Abram's deception, God intervenes sovereignly to protect Sarai and His covenant, demonstrating that His plans are not thwarted by human failure but are ultimately accomplished through His steadfast grace and power.

* [Psalm 118:8](/psalm/118-8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.")
* [Romans 3:3-4](/romans/3-3-4 "God's Faithfulness Despite Human Unfaithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abram's moment of fear and deception in Genesis 12:13 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine the depths of our own trust in God's promises, especially when faced with perceived threats or uncomfortable circumstances. Like Abram, we can be tempted to rely on our own cunning or compromise our integrity to secure our safety or advantage, rather than resting in God's sovereign protection. This narrative calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, remembering that His faithfulness is not contingent upon our perfect obedience, but upon His unchanging character. It reassures us that even when we falter, God remains committed to His purposes for us, inviting us to confess our fears and return to a posture of trust, knowing that His grace is sufficient to cover our weaknesses and guide us through life's perils.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise truth or integrity out of fear for your safety or well-being?**
* **How does Abram's lapse in faith, despite receiving incredible promises, resonate with your own spiritual journey?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to when fear threatens to dictate your actions?**
* **How does God's intervention in this narrative, despite Abram's sin, encourage you about His faithfulness in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abram lie about Sarai being his sister?**

Answer: Abram lied because he feared for his life. He believed that if the Egyptians knew Sarai was his wife, they would kill him to take her due to her beauty. By presenting her as his sister, he hoped to be treated well and avoid harm, as people would seek to gain favor with him (her brother) to acquire her, thereby securing his own well-being and survival, as stated in [Genesis 12:13](/genesis/12-13 "Abram's Deception in Egypt").

**Was Sarai truly Abram's sister?**

Answer: Yes, Sarai was indeed Abram's half-sister, sharing the same father but a different mother, as later explicitly revealed by Abraham himself in [Genesis 20:12](/genesis/20-12 "Sarai Confirmed as Abraham's Half-Sister"). However, Abram's intent in [Genesis 12:13](/genesis/12-13 "Abram's Deception in Egypt") was to conceal her status as his wife, making it a deceptive half-truth aimed at full misdirection to protect himself.

**How does God respond to Abram's deception in this chapter?**

Answer: Although Abram acted out of fear and deception, God remained faithful to His covenant promises. In the subsequent verses, specifically [Genesis 12:17-20](/genesis/12-17-20 "God Afflicts Pharaoh and Delivers Sarai"), God intervenes directly by afflicting Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues. This divine intervention forces Pharaoh to realize the truth, resulting in Sarai being returned to Abram, and Pharaoh sending them away with all their possessions. This demonstrates God's sovereign protection of His chosen people and His covenant, even despite their failures and lack of faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abram's failure in [Genesis 12:13](/genesis/12-13 "Abram's Deception in Egypt"), marked by fear and self-preservation through deceit, powerfully highlights humanity's inherent weakness and profound need for a perfect redeemer. Unlike Abram, who faltered in his trust in God's promises, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied faith and obedience, even unto the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Where Abram sought to save his own life by compromising truth, Christ willingly laid down His life, trusting His Father's will, to secure eternal life for all who believe, as declared in [John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly"). God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Abram, despite Abram's sin, foreshadows His ultimate faithfulness in sending Christ as the true Seed through whom all nations would be blessed, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant not through human perfection, but through divine grace and the perfect, sinless obedience of the Son, who became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). This narrative ultimately points to Christ as the one in whom all God's promises are [Yes and Amen](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ"), providing the perfect example of faith and the ultimate provision for our salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 20:2

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She [is] my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

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.

Genesis 20:12

And yet indeed [she is] my sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 20:13

And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This [is] thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He [is] my brother.

Genesis 20:5

Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.