Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:16

What does Genesis 12:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:16 means

In anticipation of taking Sarai as his wife, Pharaoh bestows great wealth upon Abram, treating him "well for her sake." Abram receives a wide array of livestock including sheep, oxen, male and female asses, as well as an abundance of human servants and camels. This lavish gift, intended as a bridal price or a gesture of goodwill, underscores the seriousness of the deception and the extent of Sarai's compromised position. Ironically, Abram profits materially from his lie, highlighting the complexities of human sin and divine allowance even in the midst of error.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And because of her, he was good to Abram, and he had sheep and oxen and asses, and men-servants and women-servants, and camels.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to Abram he hath done good because of her, and he hath sheep and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and handmaids, and she-asses, and camels.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they used Abram well for her sake. And he had sheep and oxen and he asses, and men servants, and maid servants, and she asses, and camels.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he treated Abram well on her account; and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and bondmen, and bondwomen, and she-asses, and camels.

Context

This verse details the material benefits Abram receives from Pharaoh, directly following Sarai's entrance into the Pharaoh's house in verse 15. It highlights the Pharaoh's intent to formalize a relationship with Sarai, which makes Abram's deception even more perilous for the covenant. This receipt of goods also stands in stark contrast to Abram's moral failure, setting up the divine intervention that is necessary to rectify the situation and protect God's promise, which follows immediately.

v.15And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

v.16This passage

v.17And Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 144:13

    Whenour garners are full, affording all manner of store, Andour sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

  • Genesis 26:14

    and he had possessions of flocks, and possessions of herds, and a great household: and the Philistines envied him.

  • Genesis 24:35

    And Jehovah hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses.

  • Job 42:12

    So Jehovah blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: and he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.

  • Genesis 20:14

    And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and men-servants and women-servants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

  • Genesis 13:2

    And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

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