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Commentary on Genesis 12 verses 14–20
Here is, I. The danger Sarai was in of having her chastity violated by the king of Egypt: and without doubt the peril of sin is the greatest peril we can be in. Pharaoh's princes (his pimps rather) saw her, and, observing what a comely woman she was, they commended her before Pharaoh, not for that which was really her praise - her virtue and modesty, her faith and piety (these were no excellencies in their eyes), but for her beauty, which they thought too good for the embraces of a subject. They recommended her to the king, and she was presently taken into Pharaoh's house, as Esther into the seraglio of Ahasuerus (Est 2:8), in order to her being taken into his bed. Now we must not look upon Sarai as standing fair for preferment, but as entering into temptation; and the occasions of it were her own beauty (which is a snare to many) and Abram's equivocation, which is a sin that commonly is an inlet to much sin. While Sarai was in this danger, Abram fared the better for her sake. Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, etc. (v. 16), to gain his consent, that he might the more readily prevail with her whom he supposed to be his sister. We cannot think that Abram expected this when he came down into Egypt, much less that he had an eye to it when he denied his wife; but God brought good out of evil. And thus the wealth of the sinner proves, in some way or other, to be laid up for the just.
II. The deliverance of Sarai from this danger. For if God did not deliver us, many a time, by prerogative, out of those straits and distresses which we bring ourselves into by our own sin and folly, and which therefore we could not expect any deliverance from by promise, we should soon be ruined, nay, we should have been ruined long before this. He deals not with us according to our deserts.
1.God chastised Pharaoh, and so prevented the progress of his sin. Note, Those are happy chastisements that hinder us in a sinful way, and effectually bring us to our duty, and particularly to the duty of restoring that which we have wrongfully taken and detained. Observe, Not Pharaoh only, but his house, was plagued, probably those princes especially that had commended Sarai to Pharaoh. Note, Partners in sin are justly made partners in the punishment. Those that serve others' lusts must expect to share in their plagues. We are not told particularly what these plagues were; but doubtless there was something in the plagues themselves, or some explication added to them, sufficient to convince them that it was for Sarai's sake that they were thus plagued.
2.Pharaoh reproved Abram, and then dismissed him with respect.
(1.)The reproof was calm, but very just: What is this that thou hast done? What an improper thing! How unbecoming a wise and good man! Note, If those that profess religion do that which is unfair and disingenuous, especially if they say that which borders upon a lie, they must expect to hear of it, and have reason to thank those that will tell them of it. We find a prophet of the Lord justly reproved and upbraided by a heathen ship-master, Jon 1:6. Pharaoh reasons with him: Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? intimating that, if he had known this, he would not have taken her into his house. Note, It is a fault too common among good people to entertain suspicions of others beyond what there is cause for. We have often found more of virtue, honour, and conscience, in some people than we thought they possessed; and it ought to be a pleasure to us to be thus disappointed, as Abram was here, who found Pharaoh to be a better man than he expected. Charity teaches us to hope the best.
(2.)The dismission was kind and very generous. He restored him his wife without offering any injury to her honour: Behold thy wife, take her, Gen 12:19. Note, Those that would prevent sin must remove the temptation, or get out of the way of it. He also sent him away in peace, and was so far from any design to kill him, as he apprehended, that he took particular care of him. Note, We often perplex and ensnare ourselves with fears which soon appear to have been altogether groundless. We often fear where no fear is. We fear the fury of the oppressor, as though he were ready to destroy, when really there is no danger, Isa 51:13. It would have been more for Abram's credit and comfort to have told the truth at first; for, after all, honesty is the best policy. Nay, it is said (Gen 12:20), Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him, that is, [1.] He charged them not to injure him in any thing. Note, It is not enough for those in authority to do no hurt themselves, but they must restrain their servants, and those about them, from doing hurt. Or, [2.] He appointed them, when Abram was disposed to return home after the famine, to conduct him safely out of the country, as his convoy. Probably he was alarmed by the plagues (Gen 12:17), and inferred from them that Abram was a particular favourite of Heaven, and therefore, through fear of their return, took special care he should receive no injury in his country. Note, God has often raised up friends for his people, by making men know that it is at their peril if they hurt them. It is a dangerous thing to offend Christ's little ones. Mat 18:6. To this passage, among others, the Psalmist refers, Psa 105:13-15, He reproved kings for their sakes, saying Touch not my anointed. Perhaps if Pharaoh had not sent him away, he would have been tempted to stay in Egypt and to forget the land of promise. Note, Sometimes God makes use of the enemies of his people to convince them, and remind them, that this world is not their rest, but that they must think of departing.
Lastly, Observe a resemblance between this deliverance of Abram out of Egypt and the deliverance of his seed thence: 430 years after Abram went into Egypt on occasion of a famine they went thither on occasion of a famine also; he was fetched out with great plagues on Pharaoh, so were they; as Abram was dismissed by Pharaoh, and enriched with the spoil of the Egyptians, so were they. For God's care of his people is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.
This passage is a great witness and demonstration of the necessity of maintaining chastity, exhorting everyone to show himself chaste, not to long for the bed of another and not to seduce the wife of another, counting on the hope of not being discovered and of going unpunished. It exhorts all not to let themselves be tempted by neglect … or by a prolonged absence. God, the defender of marriage, is present. From him nothing remains hidden, nothing escapes him, and no one can make sport of him. God takes on the task of the absent husband and maintains the sentinels. Indeed, even without sentinels he surprises the guilty before he puts into action what he has premeditated. In the soul of each one, in the mind of all he recognizes the guilt. Adulterer, even if you have deceived the husband, you do not deceive God. Even if you have escaped from the husband, even if you have made sport of the judge of the tribunal, you do not escape from the judge of the whole world. He punishes with greater severity the injury that is done to the weak, the offenses done to an imprudent husband. In fact, the injury is greater when the author rather than the guardian of the marriage is held in contempt and not taken into consideration.
And when he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife: "I know that you are a beautiful woman, and that when the Egyptians see you, they will say that you are his wife, and they will kill me and keep you alive: therefore, please say that you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you," and so on until it was said, "The Lord, however, struck Pharaoh with great plagues and his house because of Sarai, Abram's wife; and Pharaoh called Abram and said to him: What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say she was your sister, so that I took her as my wife?" Abraham did not lie because he said his wife was his sister, for she was also that, being a close relative; likewise Lot was called his brother, though he was his brother's son. Thus, he concealed that she was his wife but did not deny that she was his sister, entrusting the defense of his wife’s chastity to God and avoiding human deceit as a man, since if he did not avoid danger as much as he could, he would tempt God rather than hope in Him. Indeed, what Abraham trusted in the Lord came to pass, for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, who had taken her as his wife, being gravely afflicted, returned her to her husband. It is therefore far from us to believe that she was defiled by another’s embrace, for it is much more credible that Pharaoh was not permitted to do this because of great afflictions. It can also be said that, according to the book of Esther, wherever any woman who pleased the king was prepared for him, she was anointed with myrrh oil for six months, and for another six months used various ointments and perfumes, and only then entered the king. It could be that after Sarai pleased the king, and while she was being prepared to enter him for a year, and Pharaoh had given many gifts to Abraham, and Pharaoh was afterwards struck by the Lord, she still remained untouched by his embrace.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 12:17 records the LORD's direct and powerful intervention, afflicting Pharaoh and his entire household with severe plagues. This divine judgment was a direct consequence of Pharaoh's unwitting transgression in taking Sarai, Abram's wife, into his palace, thereby endangering the integrity of the promised lineage. The verse powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to protect His covenant people and promises, even when human fear and deception introduce peril, ensuring the preservation of the sacred line through which the Messiah would ultimately come.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 12:17 states: "And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife." This verse is a powerful declaration of divine intervention and protection.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 12:17 employs several significant literary devices. Foreshadowing is prominent, as the "great plagues" inflicted upon Pharaoh and his house serve as a clear precursor to the more extensive and devastating plagues God would later bring upon Egypt during the Exodus, highlighting a consistent pattern of divine judgment against those who oppress or threaten God's people and His redemptive purposes. There is also an element of Divine Irony: Abram's attempt to save his own life through deception inadvertently places Sarai in peril, yet it is precisely this perilous situation that prompts God's direct and powerful intervention, ultimately safeguarding both Abram and Sarai. The verse also implicitly points to a Theophany or divine manifestation through action, where God's presence and power are revealed not through a visible appearance but through His undeniable and impactful intervention in human affairs, demonstrating His active sovereignty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 12:17 powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Despite Abram's significant lapse in faith and his deceptive actions, God's faithfulness to His covenant promises remains steadfast. He intervenes directly and decisively to protect Sarai, recognizing her indispensable role in the lineage through which the covenant would be fulfilled. This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, demonstrating that no human scheme or powerful ruler can thwart His divine will. It also implicitly upholds the sanctity of marriage, as God's wrath is directed at the violation of this sacred bond, even if unknowingly committed.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 12:17 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfection or unwavering faith; rather, His commitment to His promises and His people transcends our failures. Abram's deception was a significant lapse, born of fear, yet God's sovereign grace intervened to protect the very lineage He had chosen. This passage encourages us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's unfailing care and protection, even when circumstances seem dire or when we are tempted to resort to human schemes. However, it also underscores the importance of integrity and truthfulness. While God's grace abounds, our actions, even those motivated by self-preservation, can have far-reaching and unintended consequences, affecting not only ourselves but also others. The divine judgment on Pharaoh, though he was an unwitting participant, reminds us that God's moral order ultimately holds all accountable, reinforcing the imperative to live truthfully and righteously, trusting God to be our ultimate refuge and deliverer.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God punish Pharaoh when Abram was the one who lied?
Answer: While Abram initiated the deception by instructing Sarai to say she was his sister, Pharaoh's actions were still morally wrong in God's eyes, as he took another man's wife into his household. God's intervention was multifaceted: primarily, it was to protect Sarai and the integrity of the covenant lineage, which was paramount to His redemptive plan. It also demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over all human rulers and His defense of the sanctity of marriage. The plagues served as a divine warning and a clear sign of God's displeasure, compelling Pharaoh to release Sarai and rectify the situation. This highlights that God's justice operates on multiple levels, protecting the innocent and holding accountable those who violate His moral order, even if their ignorance was due to another's deceit. God's priority was the preservation of His covenant and the purity of the line through which the Messiah would come.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 12:17 profoundly points to Christ by demonstrating God's relentless commitment to preserve the promised lineage through which the Savior would ultimately come. Sarai's protection was not merely for her own sake, but because she was a vital link in the redemptive history that would culminate in Jesus Christ, the promised "seed" of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). God's decisive intervention against Pharaoh, afflicting him with plagues to secure Sarai's release, foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over the powers of sin, death, and spiritual darkness that seek to thwart God's plan of salvation. Just as God plagued Egypt to free His people and protect the covenant in the Exodus, and here to protect Sarai, so Christ, through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, conquered the spiritual forces that held humanity captive (Colossians 2:15). He is the ultimate Protector and the faithful One who perfectly upholds God's righteousness and delivers His people from all threats, establishing a new and better covenant through His blood (Hebrews 7:22). In Christ, all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20), ensuring the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes for all who believe.