Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:18

What does Genesis 12:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:18 means

Pharaoh confronts Abram, having realized that Sarai is his wife through the direct action of God's plagues. His words, "What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?" convey a sense of shock and indignation at Abram's deception. Pharaoh, a pagan ruler, displays a more honorable conduct than Abram, highlighting the depth of Abram's moral failure and the serious consequences of his lie. This confrontation forces Abram to face the repercussions of his lack of faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Pharaoh sent for Abram, and said, What have you done to me? why did you not say that she was your wife?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Pharaoh calleth for Abram, and saith, `What <FI>is<Fi> this thou hast done to me? why hast thou not declared to me that she <FI>is<Fi> thy wife?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Pharao called Abram, and said to him: What is this that thou hast done to me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this thou hast done to me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Context

This verse describes Pharaoh's direct confrontation with Abram, which is a key turning point in the aftermath of God's plagues in verse 17. Pharaoh's questioning immediately follows his realization of the truth, exposing Abram's deception. This confrontation is critical because it forces Abram to acknowledge his sin and prepares for the resolution of the crisis, leading to Abram's expulsion from Egypt, which is detailed in the concluding verses of the chapter.

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

v.18This passage

v.19why saidst thou, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 4:10

    And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

  • Proverbs 21:1

    The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

  • Genesis 26:9

    And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die because of her.

  • 1 Samuel 14:43

    Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and, lo, I must die.

  • Genesis 3:13

    And Jehovah God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

  • Genesis 31:26

    And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters as captives of the sword?

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