Genesis 12:17
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The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The pedigree and family of Abram we had an account of in the foregoing chapter; here the Holy Ghost enters upon his story, and henceforward Abram and his seed are almost the only subject of the sacred history. In this chapter we have, I. God's call of Abram to the land of Canaan (Gen 12:1-3). II. Abram's obedience to this call (Gen 12:4, Gen 12:5). III. His welcome to the land of Canaan (Gen 12:6-9). IV. His journey to Egypt, with an account of what happened to him there. Abram's flight and fault (Gen 12:10-13). Sarai's danger and deliverance (Gen 12:14-20).
Open source ↗12:17-19 God’s intervention rescued Sarai and preserved the marriage to fulfill the covenant promise. Sarai’s restoration to Abram came with a rebuke from Pharaoh on God’s behalf (12:18-19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:
for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.
Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to the LORD. Sell it to me for the full price, so that the plague upon the people may be halted.”
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.