Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:15

What does Genesis 12:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:15 means

The beauty of Sarai quickly catches the attention of Pharaoh's officials, who observe her and then commend and "praised her to Pharaoh." As a result of their report, "the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house." This action directly fulfills Abram's fears and exposes Sarai to significant moral and physical danger within the royal court. This event constitutes a serious threat to the covenant line and to God's promises, demonstrating how human sin can imperil divine purposes, requiring God's direct intervention.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Pharaoh's great men, having seen her, said words in praise of her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into Pharaoh's house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and princes of Pharaoh see her, and praise her unto Pharaoh, and the woman is taken <FI>to<Fi> Pharaoh's house;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the princes told Pharao, and praised her before him: and the woman was taken into the house of Pharao.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

Context

This verse describes the direct consequence of the Egyptians' observation of Sarai's beauty in verse 14, moving the narrative forward dramatically. Her being taken into Pharaoh's house is a critical turning point that directly threatens the integrity of Abram's family and the covenant, as it places Sarai in grave danger. This event sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, which becomes necessary due to Abram's deceptive actions and lack of faith.

v.14And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

v.15This passage

v.16And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 105:4

    Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.

  • Jeremiah 46:17

    They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath let the appointed time pass by.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

  • Ezekiel 32:2

    Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou wast likened unto a young lion of the nations: yet art thou as a monster in the seas; and thou didst break forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

  • 2 Kings 18:21

    Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

  • Proverbs 29:12

    If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.

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