Genesis 12:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pharaoh asks why Abram claimed Sarai was his sister, and orders him to take her and leave.
The Context of Genesis 12:19
Pharaoh orders Abram to take Sarai and leave Egypt.
What Does Genesis 12:19 Mean?
Pharaoh explained the consequences of Abram's lie: had he known Sarai was already married, he would not have taken her into his household. The king's permission for her to be part of his household was contingent on her being available, not claimed as a wife. By concealing the truth, Abram had made Pharaoh unwittingly violate his own values regarding another man's wife.
Pharaoh then commanded: 'Take her, and go thy way.' He released Sarai and ordered Abram to leave Egypt. The king, despite his anger at the deception, did not harm Abram or keep Sarai. Instead, he ejected them. Pharaoh acted with a sense of righteousness—a foreign king was more upright in this moment than Abram, the covenant bearer. Abram's deception had failed, and he now left Egypt in shame rather than in the respect or security he had sought.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 12:19
What does Genesis 12:19 mean?
Pharaoh asks why Abram claimed Sarai was his sister, and orders him to take her and leave.
What is the context of Genesis 12:19?
Pharaoh orders Abram to take Sarai and leave Egypt.