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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 12:18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/12-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_12_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 12:18 - Abram and Sarai in Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, What have you done to me? 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Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she <i>was</i> thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What <i>is</i> this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she <i>was</i> your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this <i>that</i> you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, &#8220What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, &#8220What have you done to me? Why didn&#8217t you tell me she was your wife? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Finally, the king sent for Abram and said to him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh called for Abram. "What have you done to me?" he asked. "Why didn't you tell me that she's your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the king sent for Abram and asked him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, "What have you done to me! Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, ?What have you done to me? Why didn?t you tell me she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, "What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done to me? why didst thou not tell me that she is thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh calls for Abram and says, “What [is] this you have done to me? Why have you not declared to me that she [is] your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Pharaoh calleth for Abram, and saith, 'What is this thou hast done to me? why hast thou not declared to me that she is thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Pharaoh will call to Abram, and will say, What this thou didst to me? why didst thou not declare to me that she is thy wife?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Pharao called Abram, and said to him: What is this that thou hast done to me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and he said to him: “What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh summoned Abram and said to him: “How could you do this to me! Why did you not tell me she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh called Abram, and said to him, What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram and said to him, “What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not show me that she is your wife?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Pharaoh called Abram, and said: 'What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Pharao having called Abram, said, What is this thou hast done to me, that thou didst not tell me that she was thy wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/12-18.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=2705" 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">17</span>The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: p̄ar·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">So Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">summoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: lə·’aḇ·rām (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">Abram</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">have you done</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to me?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">didn’t</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hig·gaḏ·tā (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">you tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">she</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.">was your wife?</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>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!”…<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="/exodus/9-1.htm">Exodus 9:1-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go, / then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">Exodus 12:31-32</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/29-6.htm">1 Samuel 29:6-9</a></span><br />So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. / Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.” / “But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-10.htm">2 Samuel 24:10-17</a></span><br />After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” / When David got up in the morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer: / “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-17.htm">1 Kings 18:17-18</a></span><br />When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” / “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/1-7.htm">Jonah 1:7-10</a></span><br />“Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. / “Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?” / “I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2-4</a></span><br />And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8-10</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1-3</a></span><br />What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6-9</a></span><br />So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a></span><br />Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-6.htm">1 Peter 3:6</a></span><br />just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-7.htm">Nehemiah 9:7-8</a></span><br />You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. / You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a></span><br />Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">Joshua 24:2-3</a></span><br />And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods. / But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates and led him through all the land of Canaan, and I multiplied his descendants. I gave him Isaac,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that you have done to me? why did you not tell me that she was your wife?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13</a></b></br> And the LORD God said unto the woman, What <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></b></br> And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Genesis 20:9,10</a></b></br> Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/12-16.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/3-11.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-2.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/12-20.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/22-20.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/12-20.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/genesis/12-19.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>So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked,</b><br>Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, represents the political and cultural power of the ancient world. His summoning of Abram indicates a serious breach of trust and a significant diplomatic incident. In the ancient Near East, such summoning would have been a formal and possibly intimidating event. This moment highlights the tension between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It also foreshadows future interactions between Israel and Egypt, such as the Exodus.<p><b>“What have you done to me?</b><br>Pharaoh's question underscores the gravity of Abram's deception. In the ancient world, actions that brought plagues or misfortune were often attributed to divine displeasure. Pharaoh's question reflects his understanding that Abram's actions have brought divine judgment upon his household. This incident prefigures the plagues that will later afflict Egypt during the time of Moses, showing a pattern of God's intervention in protecting His covenant people.<p><b>Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?</b><br>This question reveals the cultural norms and expectations regarding marriage and truthfulness. In ancient societies, marriage was a sacred institution, and deception regarding marital status could lead to severe consequences. Abram's failure to disclose Sarai's true identity endangered both her and Pharaoh, as taking another man's wife was considered a grave sin. This situation highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by God's people in a fallen world. It also points to the importance of truthfulness and integrity, themes that are echoed throughout Scripture, such as in the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, who unknowingly took Sarai, Abram's wife, into his household, believing her to be Abram's sister.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram</a></b><br>Later known as Abraham, he is the patriarch called by God to leave his homeland and journey to a land that God would show him. In this passage, he deceives Pharaoh by claiming Sarai is his sister.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarai.htm">Sarai</a></b><br>Abram's wife, who is taken into Pharaoh's house due to Abram's deception.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Abram and Sarai sojourn due to a famine in Canaan. It is here that the events of deception and divine intervention unfold.<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 about Sarai being his sister leads to unintended consequences, reminding us that deceit can have far-reaching effects.<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, demonstrating His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_vs._faith.htm">Fear vs. Faith</a></b><br>Abram's actions are driven by fear rather than faith, challenging us to trust in God's provision and protection even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_integrity.htm">Moral Integrity</a></b><br>The importance of maintaining integrity and truthfulness, even when faced with potential danger or loss.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_mistakes.htm">Learning from Mistakes</a></b><br>Abram's account encourages believers to learn from their failures and grow in their faith journey.<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/key_events_in_abraham's_life.htm">What are the key events in Abraham's life?</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/how_to_verify_abram's_divine_call.htm">Genesis 12:1: How do we verify historically that a single divine call caused Abram to uproot his entire household?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18, 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me t why didst thou not tell me she was thy wife?</span> In which case we are bound to believe the monarch that he would not have taken her. <span class="cmt_word">Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife</span> (which as yet he had not done; an indirect proof both of the monarch's honorable purpose towards Sarai and of Sarai's unsullied purity): <span class="cmt_word">now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.</span> According to Josephus ('Bell. Jud.' 5. 9:4) Sarah was only one night in Pharaoh's house; but this is obviously incorrect. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/12-18.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">So Pharaoh</span><br /><span class="heb">פַרְעֹה֙</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ar·‘ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">summoned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abram</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַבְרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’aḇ·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and asked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third 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">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</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">have you done to me?</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשִׂ֣יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֚מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·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 not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="heb">הִגַּ֣דְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(hig·gaḏ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me she</span><br /><span class="heb">הִֽוא׃</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">was 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/12-18.htm">Genesis 12:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/12-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 12:18 Pharaoh called Abram and said What (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/12-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 12:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/12-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 12:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:19" /></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>