Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 12:10 - 12:13

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 12:10 - 12:13


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

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 look upon;


v. 12. therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

v. 13. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
The Bible, for our comfort and warning, relates the weaknesses of the saints as well as their acts of faith. Although Sarai was now some sixty-five years old, she still had her youthful bloom and beauty, and, since women in Egypt at that time went unveiled, Abram feared that his wife's beauty would tempt some powerful Egyptian to covet her for himself and, Abram as the husband being in the way, he would be disposed of by an execution. As his caravan was about to enter Egyptian territory, therefore, Abram arranged with his wife that they be known in Egypt as brother and sister. He felt that the Egyptians might take Sarai from him, but that his own life would be spared through his stratagem and that he would even be treated well for the sake of her whom the people believed to be his sister. This counsel of Abraham was the outgrowth of human weakness and doubt in the divine protection it was an indication of temporary wavering on the part of Abram, for though the declaration was not altogether false, Gen_20:12, neither was it the whole truth.