Genesis 12:20 kjv
And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
Genesis 12:20 nkjv
So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.
Genesis 12:20 niv
Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.
Genesis 12:20 esv
And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
Genesis 12:20 nlt
Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.
Genesis 12 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:3 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse..." | God curses those who harm Abram |
| Gen 13:1 | "So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had..." | Immediate consequence of the expulsion |
| Gen 20:6-7 | "Then God said to him in a dream... for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you..." | God protects Abram's life with Abimelech |
| Gen 26:10-11 | "Then Abimelech said, 'What is this you have done to us?... You shall surely die!'" | Similar protection for Isaac/Rebekah |
| Ex 12:29-31 | "And Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron by night and said, 'Rise up, get out from among my people...'" | Pharaoh commands Israelites to leave Egypt |
| Ex 14:4 | "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh..." | God's sovereignty over Pharaoh |
| Num 22:12 | "God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.'" | God forbids cursing His chosen people |
| Deut 23:4-5 | "because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt..." | Historical parallel to those who fail hospitality |
| 1 Chr 16:20-21 | "When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, he allowed no one to oppress them..." | God protects His chosen |
| Ps 105:14-15 | "He allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account: 'Touch not my anointed ones...'" | Divine protection of patriarchs |
| Ps 105:23 | "Then Israel came to Egypt..." | Future sojourn in Egypt begins |
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." | God's control over rulers |
| Isa 41:10 | "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you..." | God's protective presence |
| Zech 2:8 | "for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye." | Protecting God's people is paramount |
| Acts 7:4 | "Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And from there..." | Abraham's journey to new lands |
| Rom 9:17 | "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you...'" | God uses Pharaoh for His purposes |
| Rom 12:19 | "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God..." | God defends His people |
| 1 Cor 10:9-10 | "We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents..." | Consequences for challenging God's authority |
| Heb 11:8 | "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive..." | Abram's journey as an act of faith |
| Heb 13:5-6 | "for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say..." | God's enduring faithfulness and presence |
Genesis 12 verses
Genesis 12 20 Meaning
Genesis 12:20 describes Pharaoh's definitive action to expel Abram and all his belongings from Egypt, following the plagues inflicted upon Pharaoh's household due to Abram's deception regarding Sarai. This verse signifies the swift removal of Abram under divine coercion, marking the conclusion of his perilous sojourn in Egypt and Pharaoh's forced recognition of a higher power.
Genesis 12 20 Context
Genesis chapter 12 introduces Abram's call by God to leave his homeland for an unknown land, coupled with promises of blessing, numerous descendants, and a great nation. Abram journeys to Canaan, and a famine then forces him to descend to Egypt. Fearing for his life due to Sarai's beauty, Abram instructs her to claim she is his sister. Pharaoh takes Sarai into his household, leading to significant plagues on Pharaoh and his house. This verse, Gen 12:20, concludes this specific episode, showing Pharaoh's reaction to discovering the truth and God's severe judgment. The immediate historical context places this event in ancient Egypt, a powerful civilization whose pharaoh was considered a divine ruler, a son of Ra. The polemic here is clear: despite Pharaoh's perceived divine status and authority, he is powerless against the true God, YHWH, who defends His chosen covenant partner even amidst their shortcomings. This subverts the prevailing Egyptian theology where the pharaoh was thought to control cosmic order.
Genesis 12 20 Word analysis
- וַיְצַו (vay'tzav): "and he commanded". The root צָוָה (tsavah) means to give a command, order, appoint. This shows Pharaoh's royal authority. However, his command here is not out of his own will, but under duress from the divine plagues. This signifies Pharaoh's position as subservient to a greater power.
- פַּרְעֹה (par‘oh): "Pharaoh". A title, not a proper name, for the king of Egypt. In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was viewed as a god or semi-divine, a mediator between gods and humans. This account demonstrates YHWH's absolute sovereignty over any human ruler, even the most powerful of the ancient world.
- אֲנָשִׁים (anashim): "men". Refers to Pharaoh's officials, servants, or military personnel who would execute his command. This indicates the administrative and punitive power of Pharaoh's court.
- עָלָיו (ʿalav): "concerning him / over him". The preposition עַל (al) can mean "upon", "over", or "concerning". Here it emphasizes that the command directly pertains to Abram. The power dynamic shifts from Pharaoh asserting control over Abram (taking Sarai) to being commanded concerning Abram.
- וַיְשַׁלְּחוּ (vay'shalleḥu): "and they sent away / drove out". The root שָׁלַח (shalach) means to send, stretch out, expel. It signifies a forceful, definitive expulsion. This is not merely letting him go, but ensuring his departure. This is a dramatic reversal: Abram came to Egypt for safety but is now being expelled from it due to divine intervention.
- אֹתוֹ (ʾoto): "him". The direct object pronoun, emphasizing Abram as the object of this expulsion.
- אִשְׁתּוֹ (ʾishto): "his wife". Specifically mentions Sarai. This inclusion underscores that the entire reason for the plagues and expulsion was connected to Sarai being taken, highlighting God's protection of her and the sanctity of the marital covenant.
- וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ (vəʾet-kol-ʾasher-lo): "and all that he had". This phrase emphasizes the completeness of the expulsion, ensuring Abram took all his accumulated possessions and wealth from Egypt, including those likely given to him by Pharaoh. This details God's providential care, as Abram left Egypt richer than he entered it, despite his failing.
Genesis 12 20 Bonus section
This event sets a precedent for future interactions between God's chosen people and the nations of the world, particularly Egypt. Pharaoh's expulsion of Abram foreshadows the eventual Exodus of the Israelites, a far greater "sending away" from Egypt by a subsequent Pharaoh, again under divine duress through devastating plagues. It highlights God's pattern of using judgments against oppressors to free His people. This narrative serves as an early example of God's protective arm, not just over the righteous, but over His covenant relationship itself, demonstrating His faithfulness even amidst the imperfections of His servants. Abram's exit from Egypt with his newly acquired wealth (Gen 12:16) despite his deception underscores God's grace and providential supply, contrasting with the deserved consequences of Pharaoh's actions.
Genesis 12 20 Commentary
Genesis 12:20 provides a stark demonstration of God's unyielding commitment to His covenant with Abram, even when Abram himself falters in faith. Despite Abram's deceptive act, God intervenes powerfully, inflicting plagues upon Pharaoh's household. This divine judgment forces Pharaoh, the most powerful man of his age, to acknowledge a power superior to his own. His "command" to his men is not an act of sovereign will, but a compelled reaction to severe divine judgment. The comprehensive expulsion—Abram, his wife, and all his possessions—is a testament to the thoroughness of God's corrective action and His unwavering protection over those He has chosen. The verse highlights God's justice in avenging His anointed and His sovereignty over earthly rulers and nations, reinforcing the principle that "touch not My anointed ones" (Ps 105:15). It reveals that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human weakness or external threats.