Genesis 12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:14

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt ,.... To the city of Heliopolis; for there it was that Abram had his abode, as Eupolemus F18 Apud Euseb. ut supra. (Praepar. Evangel. c. 17. p. 418,419.) says, when upon the famine he went into Egypt, and where he conversed with the Egyptian priests, and taught them astrology, and other things belonging to it; and of this descent of Abram into Egypt, and teaching astrology, Artapanus F19 Apud ib. c. 18. p. 420. , another... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:15

The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh ,.... The king of Egypt; so it seems by this, that Abram and Sarai were at the place where the court was kept, which the Arabic writers F20 In the Universal History, vol. 2. p. 115. say was Mesr (or Memphis), the capital of the kingdom. And these princes were the king's courtiers, who taking notice of Sarai, and admiring her beauty, praised her for it to the king, and recommended her to be taken into the number of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:16

And he entreated Abram well for her sake ,.... Pharaoh was very complaisant to him, showed him great respect, and bestowed many favours on him on account of Sarai, whom he took to be his sister, and which were done, that he would consent that she might be his wife: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels ; which were, some at least, if not all, the gifts of Pharaoh to him, or otherwise there seems to be no reason why they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:17

And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues ,.... Perhaps with the same sort that Abimelech and his servants were smote with on a like account, Genesis 20:17 . The Jews F8 Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 41. fol. 35. 4. say they were smitten with ulcers; not only Pharaoh was plagued, but those of his household also, his courtiers and servants, who were accessary to the bringing of Sarai into his house; for all this was because of Sarai, Abram's wife ; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:18

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said ,.... Understanding how it was, that Sarai was his wife, which he came at the knowledge of, either by consulting his priests and diviners, as some say, on account of the plagues inflicted; or rather suspecting they were on the account of Sarai, from the nature of them, sent for her, and questioned her about this affair, who confessed the whole matter to him; unless it can be thought that he was warned of God in a dream, as Abimelech was on a like occasion;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:19

Why saidst thou, she is my sister ?.... He could not imagine what could be the reason of it, what could induce him to give out such a story as this; for he knew not the fears that Abram was possessed with, which led him to it, and which might be in a good measure groundless, or else Pharaoh might have guessed at the reason; or this he said as being willing to be satisfied of the true one: so I might have taken her to me to wife ; ignorantly, and without any scruple, supposing her to have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:20

And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him ,.... His courtiers and servants, not to do him any hurt or injury in his person or substance; who he might suppose would be enraged at hearing how the king and they had been imposed upon and deceived; he ordered a guard about him while he was there, and to conduct him, and all that belonged to him, safely out of his dominions, as appears by what follows: but Dr. Lightfoot F13 See his Works, vol. 1. p. 694. is of opinion, that he gave charge... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12

God calls Abram to leave Haran and go into Canaan, Genesis 12:1 ; promises to bless him, and through him all the families of the earth, Genesis 12:2 , Genesis 12:3 . Abram, Sarai, Lot, and all their household, depart from Canaan, Genesis 12:4 , Genesis 12:5 ; pass through Sichem, Genesis 12:6 . God appears to him, and renews the promise, Genesis 12:7 . His journey described, Genesis 12:8 , Genesis 12:9 . On account of a famine in the land he is obliged to go into Egypt, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:1

Get thee out of thy country - There is great dissension between commentators concerning the call of Abram; some supposing he had two distinct calls, others that he had but one. At the conclusion of the preceding chapter, Genesis 11:31 , we find Terah and all his family leaving Ur of the Chaldees, in order to go to Canaan. This was, no doubt, in consequence of some Divine admonition. While resting at Haran, on their road to Canaan, Terah died, Genesis 11:32 ; and then God repeats his call... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:2

I will make of thee a great nation - i.e., The Jewish people; and make thy name great, alluding to the change of his name from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the father of a multitude. read more

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