New International VersionBut the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
New Living TranslationBut the LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
English Standard VersionBut the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Berean Standard BibleThe LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
King James BibleAnd the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
New King James VersionBut the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
New American Standard BibleBut the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
NASB 1995But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
NASB 1977But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Legacy Standard BibleBut Yahweh struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Amplified BibleBut the LORD punished Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Christian Standard BibleBut the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
American Standard VersionAnd Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Contemporary English VersionBecause of Sarai, the LORD struck the king and everyone in his palace with terrible diseases.
English Revised VersionAnd the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHowever, the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with terrible plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Good News TranslationBut because the king had taken Sarai, the LORD sent terrible diseases on him and on the people of his palace.
International Standard VersionBut the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
NET BibleBut the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe diseases because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
New Heart English BibleBut God plagued Pharaoh and his house with great and grievous plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, because of Sarai, Abram's wife. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
World English BibleYahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH plagues Pharaoh and his house—great plagues—for the matter of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah plagueth Pharaoh and his house -- great plagues -- for the matter of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jehovah will touch Pharaoh with great strokes, and his house on account of Sarai, Abram's wife. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram's wife.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut the Lord scourged Pharaoh and his house with great wounds because of Sarai, the wife of Abram.
New American BibleBut the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
New Revised Standard VersionBut the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his household with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd LORD JEHOVAH struck Pharaoh with great plagues, and the children of his house, because of Sarai, the wife of Abram. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd God afflicted Pharao with great and severe afflictions, and his house, because of Sara, Abram's wife.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Abram and Sarai in Egypt… 16He treated Abram well on her account, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels. 17The LORD, however,afflictedPharaohand his householdwith severeplaguesbecause ofAbram’swifeSarai.18So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?…
Cross References Exodus 9:14-16Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. / For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth. / But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
Exodus 12:29-30Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.
1 Samuel 5:6-12Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors. / And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” / So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. ...
2 Samuel 24:15-17So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. / But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. / When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”
Psalm 105:14-15He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: / “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
Psalm 105:26-36He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. / They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. / He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words. ...
Psalm 105:37-38He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. / Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.
Psalm 105:42-45For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham His servant. / He brought forth His people with rejoicing, His chosen with shouts of joy. / He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor, ...
Isaiah 19:22And the LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; He will strike them but heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and He will hear their prayers and heal them.
Ezekiel 20:9But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Acts 7:6-7God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’
Acts 7:9-10Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
Acts 7:17-18As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. / Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt.
Acts 7:34I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
Romans 9:17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Treasury of Scripture And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. Genesis 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. 1 Chronicles 16:21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 1 Chronicles 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place ofthis threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. Jump to Previous Abram'sAfflictedDiseasesGreatHouseHouseholdInflictedMatterPharaohPharaoh'sPlaguedPlaguesPlaguethSaraiSar'aiSeriousStruckTroublesWifeJump to Next Abram'sAfflictedDiseasesGreatHouseHouseholdInflictedMatterPharaohPharaoh'sPlaguedPlaguesPlaguethSaraiSar'aiSeriousStruckTroublesWifeGenesis 12 1.God calls Abram, and blesses him with a promise of Christ.4.He departs with Lot from Haran, and comes to Canaan.6.He journeys through Canaan,7.which is promised to him in a vision.10.He is driven by famine into Egypt.11.Fear makes him feign his wife to be his sister.14.Pharaoh, having taken her from him, is compelled to restore her.18.Pharaoh reproves Abram, whom he dismisses.The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plaguesThis phrase highlights God's direct intervention in the affairs of Egypt, demonstrating His sovereignty and protective nature over His chosen people. The plagues serve as a divine response to Pharaoh's unwitting transgression, echoing later events in Exodus where God sends plagues upon Egypt to liberate the Israelites. The use of plagues as a divine tool underscores God's power and foreshadows the more extensive plagues that would later afflict Egypt. This intervention also emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and God's protection over the covenant He made with Abram. because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
Sarai, later known as Sarah, is central to God's covenant with Abram, as she is to be the mother of the promised offspring. Her presence in Pharaoh's household, due to Abram's earlier deception, places the covenant at risk. This situation illustrates the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, as Abram's fear led to a lack of faith, resulting in unintended consequences. The protection of Sarai ensures the continuation of God's plan for Abram's descendants, who are to become a great nation. This incident also prefigures the concept of divine protection over the lineage that would eventually lead to Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through Abram's seed. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe covenant-keeping God of Israel, who intervenes in human affairs to protect His promises and His people. 2. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, representing the power and authority of a major ancient civilization. 3. AbramLater known as Abraham, he is the patriarch of the Israelite nation, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. 4. SaraiLater known as Sarah, she is Abram's wife, through whom God's promise of a great nation would be fulfilled. 5. EgyptA significant ancient civilization where Abram and Sarai sought refuge during a famine, leading to the events of this passage. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProtectionGod actively intervenes to protect His covenant people and fulfill His promises, even when they make mistakes. The Consequences of DeceptionAbram's deception led to unintended consequences, reminding us of the importance of truthfulness and trust in God's provision. The Sanctity of MarriageThe passage underscores the importance of honoring and protecting the marital relationship, as it is central to God's plan. God's Faithfulness Despite Human FailureEven when Abram failed to trust God fully, God remained faithful to His promises, showing His grace and mercy. The Impact of Sin on OthersAbram's actions had repercussions not only for himself but also for Pharaoh and his household, highlighting the broader impact of our choices. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 12:17?
2.How does Genesis 12:17 demonstrate God's protection over His covenant with Abram?
3.What can we learn about God's justice from Genesis 12:17?
4.How does Genesis 12:17 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:1-3?
5.How should we respond when witnessing God's intervention, as in Genesis 12:17?
6.What actions can we take to align with God's will, like Abram?
7.Why did God inflict plagues on Pharaoh because of Abram's wife, Sarai, in Genesis 12:17?
8.How does Genesis 12:17 reflect God's protection over His chosen people?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Genesis 12:17?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 12?
11.Why would God use Balaam, a non-Israelite, as His mouthpiece in Numbers 24 if divine revelation was meant primarily for the Israelites?
12.Was Hagar a wife or concubine of Abraham?
13.What does "Touch Not My Anointed" mean?
14.What evidence supports the claim that Sarah, at her advanced age, could bear a child as promised (Genesis 17:15-16)?What Does Genesis 12:17 Mean The LORD• The divine name signals the personal, covenant-keeping God acting directly, not through chance or intermediaries (Genesis 15:1;Exodus 3:14;Psalm 33:12). • His initiative underscores that He alone governs history and protects His promises—Abram is passive here while God moves.
however• This pivot word sets God’s action in contrast to human schemes. Pharaoh thought he controlled the situation, yet “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). • Similar divine reversals appear inGenesis 50:20 where what people intend for evil, God turns for good.
afflicted Pharaoh and his household• Affliction is intentional discipline: the entire royal household comes under God’s hand, showing sin’s ripple effect on leaders and their sphere (Psalm 105:14-15;Genesis 20:17-18, where God strikes Abimelech’s house for the same offense). • The episode foreshadows later judgments on Egypt under a different Pharaoh (Exodus 9:3).
with severe plagues• The word “severe” stresses intensity—God does nothing halfway. Comparable language appears inExodus 9:14, “I will send all My plagues upon you… so you may know there is none like Me.” •Deuteronomy 28:59 speaks of “extraordinary plagues, prolonged and severe,” showing that plagues are covenant-linked punishments. •1 Samuel 5:6 records a “heavy” hand of the LORD on the Philistines, reinforcing that divine plagues are precise tools of justice.
because of Abram’s wife Sarai• God’s intervention is protective: Sarai is essential to the promise that Abram’s seed will bless all nations (Genesis 12:3). • Touching her is tantamount to touching God’s plan; thusZechariah 2:8, “he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” • A near-duplicate account with Abimelech (Genesis 20:2-18) confirms that God consistently defends the covenant family.
summaryGenesis 12:17 shows the covenant LORD stepping in, overruling human power, and striking Pharaoh’s household with intense plagues to safeguard Sarai and the promise bound up in her. The verse reminds us that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted; He actively protects His people, judges wrongdoing, and moves history toward His redemptive goal. Verse 17. - And the Lord plagued (literally, struck) Pharaoh and his house with great plagues (or strokes, either of disease or death, or some other calamity - an indication that Pharaoh was not entirely innocent) because of Sarai Abram's wife. The effect of this was to lead to the discovery, not through the aid of the Egyptian priests (Josephus), but either through a special revelation granted to him, as afterwards ( Genesis 20:6) to Abimelech in a dream (Chrysostom), or through the confession of Sarai herself (A Lapide), or through the servants of Abraham (Kurtz).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew The LORD, however,יְהוָ֧ה ׀(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelafflictedוַיְנַגַּ֨ע(way·nag·ga‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060:To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strikePharaohפַּרְעֹ֛ה(par·‘ōh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547:Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kingsand his householdבֵּית֑וֹ(bê·ṯōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004:A housewith severeגְּדֹלִ֖ים(gə·ḏō·lîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentplaguesנְגָעִ֥ים(nə·ḡā·‘îm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5061:Mark -- a blow, a spotbecause ofעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstAbram’sאַבְרָֽם׃(’aḇ·rām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 87:Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abrahamwifeאֵ֥שֶׁת(’ê·šeṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleSarai.שָׂרַ֖י(śā·ray)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8297:Sarai -- a wife of Abram
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OT Law: Genesis 12:17 Yahweh plagued Pharaoh and his house (Gen. Ge Gn) |
