Genesis 12:14-20 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

The Lord plagued Pharaoh - What these plagues were we know not. In the parallel case, Genesis 20:18 , all the females in the family of Abimelech, who had taken Sarah in nearly the same way, were made barren; possibly this might have been the case here; yet much more seems to be signified by the expression great plagues. Whatever these plagues were, it is evident they were understood by Pharaoh as proofs of the disapprobation of God; and, consequently, even at this time in Egypt there was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

Commanded his men concerning him - Gave particular and strict orders to afford Abram and his family every accommodation for their journey; for having received a great increase of cattle and servants, it was necessary that he should have the favor of the king, and his permission to remove from Egypt with so large a property; hence, a particular charge is given to the officers of Pharaoh to treat him with respect, and to assist him in his intended departure. The weighty and important... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

Verse 15 15.And commended her before Pharaoh (351) Although Abram had sinned by fearing too much and too soon, yet the event teaches, that he had not feared without cause: for his wife was taken from him and brought to the king. At first Moses speaks generally of the Egyptians, afterwards he mentions the courtiers; by which course he intimates, that the rumor of Sara’s beauty was everywhere spread abroad; but that it was more eagerly received by the courtiers who indulge themselves in greater... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

Verse 17 17.And the Lord plagued Pharaoh. If Moses had simply related, that God had punished the king for having committed adultery, it would not so obviously appear that he had taken care of Sarai’s chastity; but when he plainly declares that the house of the king was plagued because of Sarai, Abram’s wife, all doubt is, in my judgment, removed; because God, on behalf of his servant, interposed his mighty hand in time, lest Sarai should be violated. And here we have a remarkable instance of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:18

Verse 18 18.And Pharaoh called Abram. Pharaoh justly expostulates with Abram, who was chiefly in fault. No answer on the part of Abram is here recorded; and perhaps he assented to the just and true reprehension. It is, however, possible that the exculpation was omitted by Moses; whose design was to give an example of the Divine providence in preserving Abram, and vindicating his marriage relation. But, although Abram knew that he was suffering the due punishment of his folly, or of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

Verse 20 20.And Pharaoh commanded his men. In giving commandment that Abram should have a safe-conduct out of the kingdom, Pharaoh might seem to have done it, for the sake of providing against danger; because Abram had stirred up the odium of the nation against himself, as against one who had brought thither the scourge of God along with him; but as this conjecture has little solidity, I give the more simple interpretation, that leave of departure was granted to Abram with the addition of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10-20

The Church and the world. The genesis of intercourse and controversy between the kingdom of God and the world power, as represented in the great southern kingdom of Egypt. I. THE PRESSURE OF EARTHLY NECESSITIES FORMS THE OCCASION OF THE SOJOURN IN EGYPT . We are not told that Abram was sent by Divine direction amongst the temptations of the South; still there is providential protection even where there is not entire Divine approval. The Lord suffers his people to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:14-15

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also— literally, and the princes ( שָׂרֵי , mas. of Sarah), chief men or courtiers, who, in accordance with the ancient custom of Egypt that no slave should approach the priestly person of Pharaoh, were sons of the principal priests ( vide Havernick, § 18)— of Pharaoh. The official title of the kings of Egypt (cf. Caesar, the designation of the Roman... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:16

And he entreated Abram well —literally, did good to Abram ; ευ} e)xrh&santo; ( LXX ; Hieronymus, Poole) supposes that the court of Pharaoh or the Egyptian people generally conferred favors on the patriarch, which is not at all so probable as that Pharaoh did— for her sake. Marriage negotiations in Oriental countries are usually accompanied by presents to the relatives of the de as a sort of payment. "The marriage price is distinctly mentioned in Scripture ( Exodus 22:15 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:17

And the Lord plagued (literally, struck ) Pharaoh and his house with great plagues (or strokes, either of disease or death, or some other calamity—an indication that Pharaoh was not entirely innocent) because of Sarai Abram's wife . The effect of this was to lead to the discovery, not through the aid of the Egyptian priests (Josephus), but either through a special revelation granted to him, as afterwards ( Genesis 20:6 ) to Abimelech in a dream (Chrysostom), or through the... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:14-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:17

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