Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:20

What does Genesis 12:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:20 means

Pharaoh, having rebuked Abram and commanded his departure, takes final action to ensure Abram's swift and safe exit from Egypt. He "gave men charge concerning him," meaning he assigned officials or guards to escort Abram, Sarai, and "all that he had." This detail shows Pharaoh's thoroughness in ensuring their immediate removal and highlights the protective, albeit forced, escort provided. Abram leaves Egypt, with Sarai and all his newly acquired possessions, concluding this challenging episode and setting the stage for his return to the land of Canaan, albeit with renewed wealth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him: and they brought him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him: and they brought him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Pharaoh gave orders to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and all he had.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Pharaoh chargeth men concerning him, and they send him away, and his wife, an all that he hath.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Pharao gave his men orders concerning Abram: and they led him away and his wife, and all that he had.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him, and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of Abram's sojourn in Egypt, directly following Pharaoh's command for him to leave in verse 19. It marks the complete and immediate expulsion of Abram, Sarai, and all their possessions from Egypt. This departure signifies the end of this testing period, with Abram returning towards the promised land, setting the stage for the next chapters in his faith journey, where his wealth will become a factor in his relationship with Lot.

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.

v.20This passage

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 21:1

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

  • Exodus 18:27

    And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

  • 1 Samuel 29:6

    Then Achish called David, and said unto him, As Jehovah liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favor thee not.

  • Psalms 105:14

    He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

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