And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
17. plagued with great plagues ] The words in the original run: “and Jehovah struck Pharaoh with great strokes, and his house.” The words “and his house” have all the appearance of being a later explanatory addition. The “great strokes” or “plagues” must have been some kind of epidemic (cf. Gen 20:17 ; 1Ch 16:21; Psa 105:14), the cause of which could not be understood. Pharaoh and his house are guiltless; Abram and Sarai are deceitful and cowardly; Jehovah smites the Egyptian, in order to protect the patriarch and his wife. This representation of the Deity illustrates the immature stage of religious development presented by some of the early Israelite traditions.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 17. The Lord plagued Pharaoh] What these plagues were we know not. In the parallel case, Ge 20:18, all the females in the family of Abimelech, who had taken Sarah in nearly the same way, were made barren; possibly this might have been the case here; yet much more seems to be signified by the expression great plagues. Whatever these plagues were, it is evident they were understood by Pharaoh as proofs of the disapprobation of God; and, consequently, even at this time in Egypt there was some knowledge of the primitive and true religion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Most probably with some notable distemper of his body, which did both chastise him for and hinder him in the execution of his lust.
His house, i.e, his servants, who being some one way, some another, partners of his sin, are justly made partners in his plagues. And if any were innocent in this matter, they were obnoxious to God for other sins. Besides, as they were punished upon the occasion of Pharaoh’s sin, so Pharaoh was punished in their punishments.
Because of Sarai, i.e.
1. For the act of violence towards her; for the word taken, Gen 12:15, implies that it was by constraint, and not with Abram’s and with her consent, which it is not probable that either of them would give in that case.
2. For an intention of uncleanness. For God, who is the Searcher and Judge of men’s hearts, may justly, and doth often, punish men for their evil purposes. Compare Gen 20:3-4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues,…. Perhaps with the same sort that Abimelech and his servants were smote with on a like account, Ge 20:17. The Jews h say they were smitten with ulcers; not only Pharaoh was plagued, but those of his household also, his courtiers and servants, who were accessary to the bringing of Sarai into his house; for all this was
because of Sarai, Abram’s wife; or “upon the word of Sarai” i, as it may be literally rendered: hence the Jews have a notion, that an angel stood by Sarai with a scourge in his hand, and when Sarai bid him smite Pharaoh, he smote him k; but signifies not a word only, but thing, matter and business: and so Onkelos renders it here: and the sense is, that Pharaoh and his courtiers were smitten, because of the affair and business of Sarai; because she was taken by them, and detained in Pharaoh’s house, and designed to be made his wife or concubine; and thus for evil intentions was this punishment inflicted; so that evil designs, not brought into execution, are punishable; though the word of Sarai may mean what she was bid to say, and did.
h Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 41. fol. 35. 4. i “propter verbum Sarai”, Montanus; “super verbo”, Munster, Piscator. k Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, ut supra. (sect. 41. fol. 35. 4.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. And the Lord plagued Pharaoh. If Moses had simply related, that God had punished the king for having committed adultery, it would not so obviously appear that he had taken care of Sarai’s chastity; but when he plainly declares that the house of the king was plagued because of Sarai, Abram’s wife, all doubt is, in my judgment, removed; because God, on behalf of his servant, interposed his mighty hand in time, lest Sarai should be violated. And here we have a remarkable instance of the solicitude with which God protects his servants, by undertaking their cause against the most powerful monarchs; as this and similar histories show, which are referred to in Psa 105:12 : —
When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; he suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.’
From which passage also a confirmation of the opinion just given may be derived. For if God reproved Pharaoh, that he should do Abram no harm; it follows, that he preserved Sarai’s honor uninjured. Instructed by such examples, we may also learn, that however the world may hold us in contempt, on account of the smallness of our number, and our weakness; we are yet so precious in the sight of God, that he will, for our sake, declare himself an enemy to kings, and even to the whole world. Let us know, that we are covered by his protection, in order that the lust and violence of those who are more powerful, may not oppress us. But it is asked, whether Pharaoh was justly punished, seeing that he neither intended, by guile nor by force, to gain possession of another man’s wife? I answer, that the actions of men are not always to be estimated according to our judgment, but are rather to be weighed in the balances of God; for it often happens, that the Lord will find in us what he may justly punish, while we seem to ourselves to be free from fault, and while we absolve ourselves from all guilt. Let kings rather learn, from this history, to bridle their own power, and moderately to use their authority; and, lastly, to impose a voluntary law of moderation upon themselves. For, although no fault openly appears in Pharaoh; yet, since he has no faithful monitor among men, who dares to repress his licentiousness, the Lord chastises him from heaven. As to his family, it was indeed innocent; but the Lord has always just causes, though hidden from us, why he should smite with his rod those who seem to merit no such rebuke. That he spared his servant Abram, ought to be ascribed to his paternal indulgence.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
17. The Lord plagued Pharaoh As another Pharaoh and his people were afterwards smitten for their cruel oppression of Abram’s seed . What these plagues were we are not told, but they seem to have fallen upon all who were engaged in this despotic proceeding, and probably were of such a nature as to prevent Pharaoh from consummating his marriage with Sarai, and led him to see that his design ran counter to the purposes of Abram’s God. According to Josephus, the priests told Pharaoh the cause of the plagues; but Patrick suggests, that Sarai confessed the truth to Pharaoh.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Yahweh plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.’
Presumably Pharaoh must have visited the particular palace where Sarai was in the harem and some dreadful illness clearly ensued there. Enquiries would then be made as to new arrivals to explain the problem, and diviners would be consulted. God may have spoken to them as he later spoke to the soothsayer Balaam. Certainly in some way they learned the truth about Sarai.
It is even possible that Abram or one of his servants might have arranged for the news to reach the ear of someone influential. He must have been devastated at what had happened and not have known what to do about it. But when news of the illness in the palace reached him he may have seen it as a God given opportunity, and acted. Alternately Sarai may have communicated the message to someone influential in the harem and spoken of what Abram’s God would do in the light of the circumstances.
However to the writer the most amazing thing was that Yahweh could afflict Pharaoh. Pharaoh was a distant and fearful figure not easily approached even by Egyptians, a god, and one of whom to be afraid. But the incident demonstrates to him that the gods of Egypt are no match for Yahweh. His power is clearly all embracing. This is one of the main lessons of the account.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 12:17. The Lord plagued Pharaoh, &c. In ch. 20: Gen 12:18 it is said, that the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs in Abimelech’s house, because of Sarah: whence it is very probable, that the plague and punishment here inflicted upon Pharaoh’s house was of the same kind, as the occasion was the same.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
Ver. 17. And the Lord plagued Pharaoh. ] Plagued him with plagues, saith the Hebrew: tormented him with torments, or set him on the rack, saith the Greek. And for this he might thank his court parasites, who put him upon this rape. Chrysostom thinketh that Sarai was in bed with the king, and that in the bed God by his plague so restrained him that she remained untouched. But we cannot gather by the text that he intended to commit adultery, sed quod levitate et vaga libidine peccavit , but offended only in going after the sight of his eyes and lust of his heart, as Solomon hath it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 12:17-20
17But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.
Gen 12:17 “great plagues” These plagues were apparently related to Sarai’s protection. In Gen 20:18 it refers to “closed wombs” of Abimelech’s wives. The VERB “struck” (BDB 619, KB 668, Piel IMPERFECT) is the same root as “plagues” (BDB 619), which was a grammatical way of intensification.
“because of Sarai” This is “by words of.” Rashi says she ordered the angel to protect her. Apparently she informs Pharaoh of the situation (cf. Gen 12:18).
Gen 12:18 The plague is obviously related to Sarai’s physical/sexual protection. The question is how Pharaoh knew the reason for the plague.
1. YHWH revealed it to him
2. Egypt’s wise men (cf. Exo 7:11; Exo 7:22; Exo 8:7)?
3. Sarai herself
This might be another example, like Daniel 4 or the Magi of the NT, where God speaks to non-Jews to reveal His purposes.
Gen 12:19-20 Abram’s departure from Egypt was not a request, but a command.
1. “take” – BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE
2. “go” – BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERATIVE
3. “Pharaoh commanded his men” – BDB 845, KB 1010, Piel IMPERFECT
4. “escorted him away” – BDB 1018, KB 1511, Piel IMPERFECT
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is this covenant so important? Who is included in it? Define its terms.
2. Did Abram immediately fulfill his part? How is God’s grace seen in this chapter?
3. Was Terah dead when Abram left Haran?
4. How did God test Abram in this chapter? Did he pass?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
LORD. Divine intervention necessary. App-23 and App-24.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gen 20:18, 1Ch 16:21, 1Ch 21:22, Job 34:19, Psa 105:14, Psa 105:15, Heb 13:4
Reciprocal: Gen 20:7 – surely Mar 3:10 – as many
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 12:17. And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house We are not told particularly, in what way they were plagued; but, doubtless, there was something in the plagues themselves, or some explication added to them, sufficient to convince Pharaoh and his house that it was for Sarais sake they were thus plagued.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:17 And the LORD {o} plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
(o) The Lord took the defence of this poor stranger against a mighty king: and as he is ever careful over his, so did he preserve Sarai.