Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:12

What does Genesis 12:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:12 means

Abram articulates his specific fear and the rationale behind his impending deception. He anticipates that upon seeing Sarai, the Egyptians will recognize her beauty and wrongly assume she is his unmarried sister. Fearing for his own life, he believes they will choose to "kill me" in order to take Sarai for themselves, while "they will save thee alive." This statement clearly outlines his motive: self-preservation at the cost of honesty and potentially endangering Sarai, revealing a deep-seated fear that overshadows his faith in God's protection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I am certain that when the men of Egypt see you, they will say, This is his wife: and they will put me to death and keep you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and it hath come to pass that the Egyptians see thee, and they have said, `This <FI>is<Fi> his wife,' and they have slain me, and thee they keep alive:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And that when the Egyptians shall see thee, they will say: She is his wife: and they will kill me, and keep thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it will come to pass when the Egyptians see thee, that they will say, She is his wife; and they will slay me, and save thee alive.

Context

This verse further elaborates on Abram's fear, directly following his acknowledgment of Sarai's beauty in verse 11. It provides his specific reasoning for the deception he is about to propose, detailing the perceived threat to his life. This explanation is essential for understanding his flawed strategy, directly leading into his request for Sarai to participate in the lie in the next verse, which will set in motion a series of dangerous events in Egypt.

v.11And 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.12This passage

v.13Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because of thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 29:25

    The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

  • 1 Samuel 27:1

    And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • 1 John 1:8

    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • Genesis 26:7

    and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, My wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

  • Genesis 20:11

    And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

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