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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 12:19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/12-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_12_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 12:19 - Abram and Sarai in Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. 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Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why saidst thou, She <i>is</i> my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take <i>her</i>, and go thy way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She <i>is</i> my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take <i>her</i> and go your way.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for myself as a wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why did you say, &#8216She is my sister,&#8217 so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for myself as a wife? So now, here is your wife, take her and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her and go!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, &#8216She&#8217s my sister,&#8217 so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />why saidst thou, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why did you make me believe she was your sister? Now I've married her. Take her and go! She's your wife." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so that I took her to be my wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why did you say, 'She's my sister' and allow me to take her for my wife? Here's your wife! Take her and go!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why did you say that she was your sister, and let me take her as my wife? Here is your wife; take her and get out!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her as a wife for myself? Now, here is your wife! Take her and get out!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ?She is my sister,? so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Here is your wife! Take her and go!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, look, your wife is before you. Take, and go."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me for a wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, see your wife, take her, and go your way.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why have you said, She [is] my sister, and I take her to myself for a wife? And now, behold, your wife, take and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why hast thou said, She is my sister, and I take her to myself for a wife? and now, lo, thy wife, take and go.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Why saidst thou, She is my sister and I shall take her to me for a wife? and now behold thy wife, take and go.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For what cause didst thou say, she was thy sister, that I might take her to my wife? Now therefore, there is thy wife, take her, and go thy way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For what reason did you claim her to be your sister, so that I would take her to me as a wife? Now therefore, behold your mate, receive her and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and leave!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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 be gone.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why did you say, She is my sister, so that I took her for my wife? Now, therefore, here is your wife, take her, and leave the country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And why did you say ‘She is my sister’, and I have taken her to me as a wife? Now, behold, take your wife and go.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why saidst thou: She is my sister? so that I took her to be my wife; now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore didst thou say, She is my sister? and I took her for a wife to myself; and now, behold, thy wife is before thee, take her and go quickly away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/12-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2712" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm">Abram and Sarai in Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lā·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">did you say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">‘She is</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">my sister,’</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wā·’eq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">so that I took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">as my</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·’iš·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now then,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">here</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·tə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">is your wife.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qaḥ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Take her</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wā·lêḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and go!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>Then Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram, and they sent him away with his wife and all his possessions.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2-18</a></span><br />Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. / One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” / Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7-11</a></span><br />But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” / When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. / Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is really your wife! How could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac replied, “Because I thought I might die on account of her.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-16.htm">Exodus 34:16</a></span><br />And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a></span><br />Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">1 Kings 3:1</a></span><br />Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Nehemiah 13:25-27</a></span><br />I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm">Proverbs 6:29</a></span><br />So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-5.htm">Proverbs 7:5</a></span><br />that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">Proverbs 31:30</a></span><br />Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-6.htm">Mark 10:6-9</a></span><br />However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-18.htm">Luke 16:18</a></span><br />Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-41.htm">John 8:41</a></span><br />You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why said you, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold your wife, take her, and go your way.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/12-13.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/8-7.htm">Way</a> <a href="/genesis/12-18.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/12-20.htm">Way</a> <a href="/genesis/12-20.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">God calls Abram, and blesses him with a promise of Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-4.htm">He departs with Lot from Haran, and comes to Canaan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">He journeys through Canaan,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">which is promised to him in a vision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">He is driven by famine into Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Fear makes him feign his wife to be his sister.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-14.htm">Pharaoh, having taken her from him, is compelled to restore her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-18.htm">Pharaoh reproves Abram, whom he dismisses.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’</b><br>This phrase highlights Abram's deception regarding Sarai's identity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such familial relationships were complex, and half-sibling marriages were not uncommon (<a href="/genesis/20-12.htm">Genesis 20:12</a>). Abram's fear of being killed for Sarai's beauty led him to this half-truth, reflecting a lack of trust in God's protection. This incident foreshadows similar events in <a href="/genesis/20.htm">Genesis 20</a> with Abimelech and later with Isaac and Rebekah in <a href="/genesis/26.htm">Genesis 26</a>, indicating a recurring theme of fear and deception among the patriarchs.<p><b>so that I took her as my wife?</b><br>Pharaoh's taking of Sarai into his house reflects the customs of royal harems in ancient Egypt, where kings often took multiple wives. This action, however, was based on a misunderstanding, as Pharaoh was unaware of Sarai's true marital status. The situation underscores the potential consequences of Abram's deception and the cultural practices of the time, where women could be taken into a ruler's household without their consent. This event also sets the stage for God's intervention to protect the covenant lineage.<p><b>Now then, here is your wife.</b><br>Pharaoh's return of Sarai to Abram demonstrates a recognition of divine intervention, as God inflicted plagues on Pharaoh's household (<a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Genesis 12:17</a>). This acknowledgment of God's power by a pagan ruler highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen people. It also serves as a precursor to the later plagues in Egypt during the Exodus, where God's power is again demonstrated to a Pharaoh.<p><b>Take her and go!”</b><br>Pharaoh's command for Abram to leave with Sarai reflects a desire to avoid further divine retribution. This expulsion from Egypt parallels the later Exodus, where the Israelites are also sent away after experiencing God's deliverance. The phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's will and the consequences of straying from His path. It also foreshadows the journey of faith that Abram and his descendants will undertake, relying on God's guidance and provision.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, called by God to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan. In this passage, he deceives Pharaoh by claiming Sarai is his sister.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarai.htm">Sarai (Sarah)</a></b><br>Abram's wife, who is taken into Pharaoh's house because of Abram's deception. Her beauty is noted, and she plays a crucial role in God's covenant with Abram.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who unknowingly takes Sarai as his wife due to Abram's lie. He confronts Abram upon discovering the truth.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Abram and Sarai seek refuge during a famine in Canaan. It becomes a place of testing for Abram's faith and integrity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/deception.htm">Deception</a></b><br>The event of Abram lying about Sarai's identity, which leads to a series of consequences and divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_deception.htm">The Consequences of Deception</a></b><br>Abram's lie leads to unintended consequences, reminding us that deceit can harm others and disrupt God's plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>Despite Abram's failure, God intervenes to protect Sarai and preserve His covenant promise, showing His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a></b><br>Abram's fear led him to deceive, but God calls us to trust Him even in uncertain circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Abram's experience teaches the importance of acknowledging our mistakes and seeking God's forgiveness and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_abram_call_sarai_his_sister.htm">Why did Abram claim Sarai was his sister?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_abram_deceive_pharaoh.htm">Genesis 12:11-13: Why would a supposedly divinely guided Abram deceive Pharaoh about his wife, risking moral inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaac's_lie_in_gen_26_7_mirror_abraham's.htm">In Genesis 26:7, does Isaac's deception about Rebekah mirror Abraham's story too closely, suggesting the same incident was repeated or borrowed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_lot_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Lot in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">So I might have taken her to me to wife.</span>--The Hebrew is, <span class= "ital">and I took her to me to wife: </span>that is, I took her with the intention of making her my wife. During the interval before the marriage Pharaoh and his household were visited with such marked troubles that he became alarmed, and possibly Sarai then revealed to him her true relationship to Abram. We find in <a href="/esther/2-12.htm" title="Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)">Esther 2:12</a> that in the case of maidens there was a probation of twelve months duration before the marriage took place, and Sarai was probably saved by some such formality. The conduct of Pharaoh is upright and dignified; nor ought we to disbelieve his assurance that he had acted upon the supposition that Sarai might lawfully be his. The silence of Abram seems to indicate his consciousness that Pharaoh had acted more righteously than himself, and yet his repetition of the offence (Genesis 20) shows that he did not feel much self-reproach at what he had done; nor, possibly, ought we to judge his conduct from the high standpoint of Christian morality. When, however, commentators speak of it as Abram's fall, they forget that he arranged this matter with Sarai at the very time when he was quitting Haran (<a href="/genesis/20-13.htm" title="And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, This is your kindness which you shall show to me; at every place where we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.">Genesis 20:13</a>).<p><span class= "bld"><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/12-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(lā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did you say,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘She is</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֔וא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my sister,’</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֹ֣תִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that I took</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶקַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’eq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her as my wife?</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִשָּׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Now then,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֕ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is your wife.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשְׁתְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·tə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Take</span><br /><span class="heb">קַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her and go!”</span><br /><span class="heb">וָלֵֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/12-19.htm">Genesis 12:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/12-19.htm">OT Law: Genesis 12:19 Why did you say 'She is my (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/12-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 12:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/12-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 12:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>