But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights God's protection, not just as a divine reward, but as a consequence directly tied to Sarai's well-being. This shows that God's intervention is a powerful affirmation of His covenant promise, even when His chosen ones stumble.
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abram, obeying God's call, has traveled to Egypt due to a famine in Canaan, but fears for his life because of his wife Sarai's beauty. He deceives the Egyptians and Pharaoh by claiming Sarai is his sister, leading to her being taken into Pharaoh's palace. This divine intervention occurs because God is protecting Abram and Sarai, even though Abram has acted deceitfully.
Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house, and suddenly, disaster strikes. What does this reveal about God's relationship with Abram and Sarai, even when they are less than perfect?
This passage shows God's powerful intervention to protect Abram and Sarai. Even though Abram resorted to deception by asking Sarai to say she was his sister, and Pharaoh took her into his household, God did not abandon them.
Pharaoh didn't outright commit adultery, but he intended to. What does this verse teach us about God's judgment falling not just on actions, but on the heart's desires?
This event highlights that God's judgment isn't limited to overt sinful actions; He also holds people accountable for their intentions and designs. Even though Pharaoh may not have consummated any sin with Sarai, his intent was clear, and God responded.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
In the Bible, this term (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel, revealing His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature to His people. It is the name by which God makes Himself known to His covenant community.
nega' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a divine stroke, blow, or calamity inflicted as a judgment or sign. Biblically, plagues are often manifestations of God’s sovereign intervention to uphold His righteousness, protect His interests, or bring about repentance.
ishshah · Hebrew Noun
Biblically, this term represents the primary legal and covenantal union ordained by God between a man and a woman, characterized by exclusive intimacy and lifelong commitment. It serves as a profound symbol of the relationship between Christ and His church.
Par'oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title for the rulers of ancient Egypt. In the biblical narrative, Pharaohs often represent the power of secular kingdoms that may encounter or oppose the redemptive plan of God.
This event highlights God's protective power over His chosen people, even when their own deception puts them in danger. It also reveals the spiritual awareness of the Egyptians, who recognized the plagues as divine intervention.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abram's Family Migrates from Ur
Abram's family, including his father Terah, leaves Ur of the Chaldeans, eventually settling in Haran. This migration is initiated by a divine call.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abram and Sarai Travel to Canaan
Following Terah's death in Haran, Abram continues his journey, guided by God, towards the land of Canaan. The Canaanites are present in the land at this time.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Famine Forces Abram into Egypt
A severe famine in the land of Canaan compels Abram and his household, including his wife Sarai, to sojourn in Egypt.
c. 2000-1800 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Takes Sarai
Upon seeing Sarai's beauty, Pharaoh's princes commend her to him, and she is taken into Pharaoh's house, with Abram having falsely presented her as his sister.
c. 2000-1800 BC
God Afflicts Pharaoh's Household
The LORD strikes Pharaoh and his entire household with severe plagues due to the presence of Sarai, Abram's wife, in Pharaoh's house.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Pharaoh Confronts Abram and Releases Sarai
Pharaoh confronts Abram about his deception, orders him to take Sarai and leave Egypt, and sends them away with their possessions.
This entire section of plagues in Egypt directly parallels the 'great plagues' mentioned here, showing God's power to strike down nations and rulers when His people are wronged or His commands are defied.
This passage describes a nearly identical situation where Abraham (formerly Abram) again claims his wife Sarah is his sister, leading to her being taken by another king (Abimelech), and God again striking the household with plagues until the truth is revealed.
Psalm 105:14-15This psalm explicitly states God 'suffered no man to do them wrong' and 'reproved kings for their sakes,' directly referencing events like the one in Genesis 12 and showing God's protective care over Abram and Sarai.
2 Samuel 6:6-11When Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant to steady it, God struck him dead. This shows that even with good intentions, improper handling of holy things or infringing on God's established order can bring divine judgment, similar to Pharaoh's unwitting transgression.
calvinGenesis 12:1-20: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:"
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Et cepit Abram Sarai uxorem suam, et Lot filium fratris sui, et omnem substantiam q…
gillGenesis 12:17: "And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife."
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 (h) 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…
The verse highlights God's protection, not just as a divine reward, but as a consequence directly tied to Sarai's well-being. This shows that God's intervention is a powerful affirmation of His covenant promise, even when His chosen ones stumble.
Abram, obeying God's call, has traveled to Egypt due to a famine in Canaan, but fears for his life because of his wife Sarai's beauty. He deceives the Egyptians and Pharaoh by claiming Sarai is his sister, leading to her being taken into Pharaoh's palace. This divine intervention occurs because God is protecting Abram and Sarai, even though Abram has acted deceitfully.
Abram, obeying God's call, has traveled to Egypt due to a famine in Canaan, but fears for his life because of his wife Sarai's beauty. He deceives the Egyptians and Pharaoh by claiming Sarai is his sister, leading to her being taken into Pharaoh's palace. This divine intervention occurs because God is protecting Abram and Sarai, even though Abram has acted deceitfully.
"But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife." — The verse highlights God's protection, not just as a divine reward, but as a consequence directly tied to Sarai's well-being. This shows that God's intervention is a powerful affirmation of His coven…
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Last reviewed October 2026