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
altar. See note on Sichem, Genesis 12:6 . read more
Beth-el. An ancient Canaanite sacred pillar, doubtless here from previous times, called Luz (Genesis 28:19 ; Genesis 35:6 ; Genesis 48:3 .Joshua 16:2 ; Joshua 18:13 .Judges 1:23; Judges 1:23 ). Compare Judges 1:23 . When Moses wrote he used the later name. altar. Between Beth-el and Ai would probably be Gerizim and Ebal, which were already or thus became sacred places. Compare Deuteronomy 27:2 , Deuteronomy 27:12 and Joshua 8:9 , Joshua 8:30 . read more
south. Hebrew the Negeb or hill country S. of Judah (Compare Genesis 13:1 , Genesis 13:3 ). The Egyptian texts mention the Negeb. Towns taken by Shishak are mentioned as being there, e.g. Jerahmeel, Gerar, Kadesh, and Gaza. read more
famine. Satan's attempt (thus early) to destroy Abraham's seed, through Sarah. See App-23 . Thirteen ( App-10 ) famines recorded, Genesis 12:10 ; Genesis 26:1 ; Genesis 41:54 .Ruth 1:1 . 2Sa 21:1 . 1 Kings 18:2 . 2 Kings 4:38 ; 2 Kings 7:4 ; 2 Kings 25:3 .Nehemiah 5:3 .Jeremiah 14:1 .Luke 15:14 .Acts 11:28 . down. Always "down" to Egypt! Compare Isaiah 30:2 ; Isaiah 31:1 . read more
see thee. In Egypt the women went unveiled. kill me. Satan's next assault, working on Abraham's fear. If God had not interfered (Genesis 12:17 ), where would His promise have been? (Genesis 3:15 ; Genesis 12:7 ; Genesis 13:15 , &c.) See App-23 and App-25 . 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