Genesis 12:11-13

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:1-20

THE CALL OF ABRAM The Lord had before told Abram to leave his country, his kindred and his father's house, and go to a land He would show him. This call took place while he was still in Ur of the Chaldees (Acts 7:2-4). God declared that He would make of Abram a great nation, that he would be a blessing (v.2). More than this, God would bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him. Further still, in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed (v.3). This is above all a... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:10-20

THE PROMISE RENEWED TO ABRAM ABRAM IN EGYPT (Genesis 12:10-20 ) It is felt that Abram acted unadvisedly in taking this journey to Egypt, for which three reasons are assigned: 1. God could have provided for him in Canaan, notwithstanding the famine; there was no command for him to leave Canaan, to which place God had definitely called him; and 2. he fell into difficulty by going, and was obliged to employ subterfuge to escape it. Still these arguments are not convincing, and in the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 12:1-20

The Same-varied Gen 12:1 God's claim upon the individual life is here asserted. God detaches men from early associations, from objects of special care and love, and makes them strangers in the earth. The family idea is sacred, but the Divine will is, so to speak, more sacred still; when the God of the families of the earth calls men from their kindred and their father's house, all tributary laws must be swallowed up by the great stream of the Divine Fatherhood. These calls, so shattering in... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:11

Beautiful: having yet had no children, though she must have been 65 years old. Abram acts with prudence, and does not tempt God: if he had made known that the woman was his wife, he would have exposed his life to imminent danger, amid a cruel and lascivious people; and being convinced of the chastity of Sarai, he did not, in the least, apprehend that she would consent to any violation of her conjugal engagements. He did not, therefore, expose her virtue as the Manichees pretended. (St.... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:13

My sister. This was no lie; because she was his niece, being daughter to his brother Aran, and therefore, in the style of the Hebrews, she might truly be called his sister; as Lot is called Abraham's brother. (Genesis xiv. 14.) See Genesis xx. 12. (Challoner) --- Others say, Sarai was the half-sister of Abraham, by another mother. (Haydock) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10-20

10-20 There is no state on earth free from trials, nor any character free from blemishes. There was famine in Canaan, the glory of all lands, and unbelief, with the evils it ever brings, in Abram the father of the faithful. Perfect happiness and perfect purity dwell only in heaven. Abram, when he must for a time quit Canaan, goes to Egypt, that he might not seem to look back, and meaning to tarry there no longer than needful. There Abram dissembled his relation to Sarai, equivocated, and taught... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 12:10-13

Abraham Dissembles in Egypt v. 10. And there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. The frequent moves of Abram which the text indicate point to a growing scarcity of food; and the famine finally became so heavy that he removed to the land of Egypt with his herds. v. 11. And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai, his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 12:1-20

SECOND PERIODThe Genesis of the patriarchal faith in the promise and of the covenant religion; of the antagonistic relation, between the faith in the promise and heathenism; of the harmonious oppositions between the patriarchs and the human civilization of the heathen world. Patriarchal religion and patriarchal customs.—Genesis 12:1 to Genesis 36:43——————AABRAHAM, THE FRIEND OF GOD, AND HIS ACTS OF FAITH. Genesis 12:1 to Genesis 25:10FIRST SECTIONThe call of Abram. The emigration to Canaan. The... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 12:10-20

Abram and Sarai in Egypt Genesis 12:10-20 It is a comfort that the Holy Spirit permits us to trace the successive stages through which the father of those who believe made his way to the maturity of faith. We all stumble as we step out on the difficult path. But God is patient with His dull scholars and protects them. See Psalms 105:15 . It was certain that no weapon formed against him could prosper, nor God’s promise fail, yet Abram meanly sacrificed Sarai with his pitiful proposition for... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Genesis 12:1-20

At this point begins the actual historic movement toward the coming of the Redeemer. One man was called to the realization of the true principle of life. The call was personal and purposeful. Abram was commanded to sever the ties of all past associations and to go forth, governed wholly by the will of God. The personal element is clearly marked in the words, "Get thee out . . . I will show thee . . . I will make of thee . . . I will bless thee." It was none the less a purposeful call. The... read more