Genesis 12:17. And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house We are not told particularly, in what way they were plagued; but, doubtless, there was something in the plagues themselves, or some explication added to them, sufficient to convince Pharaoh and his house that it was for Sarai’s sake they were thus plagued. read more
Genesis 12:18. What is this that thou hast done What an ill thing: how unbecoming a wise and good man! Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? Intimating, that if he had known that he would not have taken her. 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 there was; and it ought to be a pleasure to us to be thus... read more
11:27-15:21 ABRAM’S ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LANDAbram obeys God’s call (11:27-12:9)From the nations of the world God now chose one man through whom he would build a new nation, which, in turn, would be the means of bringing his blessing to the whole world (see 12:2-3). God’s chosen man, Abram (later called Abraham), lived originally in the idolatrous city of Ur in ancient Babylonia. Although others in his family worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2), Abram worshipped the one true God and obeyed him... read more
Journey to Egypt and return (12:10-13:18)A long drought in Canaan must have caused Abram to wonder just how reliable this promised land was. In the end he journeyed to Egypt in search of better pastures (10).Fearing that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take his beautiful wife, he preserved himself by saying she was his sister. This was half true, because Sarai was a daughter of Terah by another wife (see 20:12); but Abram and Sarai did wrong in telling only half the truth in order to... read more
LORD = Jehovah, "The God of Glory" of Acts 7:2 , Figure of speech Enallage = The Glorious God, in contrast with idols (Joshua 24:2 ). Get thee out = Go for thyself, i.e. whatever others may do. Death had broken the link of nature's tie, which hindered Abram's obedience. kindred. Leaving Nahor and his family (except Lot), Genesis 24:4 , Genesis 24:10-15 ; Genesis 25:20 ; Genesis 28:7-10 . shew. See Hebrews 11:8 . read more
And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ). I will. Note this sevenfold promise with the sevenfold blessing in Exodus 6:4-8 ( App-10 ). read more
thee. To Abraham personally. See note on Genesis 50:24 . read more
seventy and five. The Law was 430 years "after" this (Exodus 12:40 . Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:17 ). Abram 100 when Isaac born, and 105 when Isaac recognized as his "seed" (Genesis 21:12 ). This 25 + 5 explains the 400 years of Genesis 15:13 and Acts 7:6 . See note on Genesis 15:13 . read more
souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh, = souls. See App-13 . they came. This time: not when they had started from Chaldea (Genesis 11:31 ). read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 12:13
Genesis 12:13. Say thou art my sister The grace Abram was most eminent for was faith, and yet he thus fell through unbelief and distrust of the divine providence, even after God had appeared to him twice! “Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall.” read more