Knowing The Word in Genesis 12:10-20, Abram & Sarai in Egypt

10 Now there was a famine in the land. [Famines compel all of the patriarchs to move at some point.] So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. [The point is made he had little choice but to leave the promised land.] 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. [She is about 65.] 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” [Was Abram really making her available to any man who might be attracted to her? More than likely his plan as “an older brother” was to fend off any suitors without actually giving her away in marriage. Sarai’s silence indicates her consent to this scheme.] 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh [an unforeseen event]. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. [While not fully explained, it probably meant that he had sexual intercourse with her, committing adultery.] 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. [This can be considered the bride’s price.]

17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. [God intervenes.] 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” [Abram’s lack of response demonstrates he knows his guilt.] 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had. [Pharaoh’s response acknowledges that God is protecting Abram as no revenge happens. His overriding concern is that the troublemaker should leave and leave quickly.]