And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
Parallel translations
- WEB When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look at.
- BSB As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman,
- NKJV And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance.
- NASB It came about, when he was approaching Egypt, that he said to his wife Sarai, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman;
- NLT As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nearing Egypt, Abram noted Sarai's beauty with foreboding. Fear begins to overtake his faith.
Overview
Abram anticipates danger because of Sarai's beauty as they approach Egypt. His words reveal a heart gripped by fear for his own safety. This moment exposes the weakness that can coexist with genuine faith, reminding readers that the patriarchs were flawed people sustained by God's grace, not their own perfection.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Gen 26:7And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
- Gen 12:14And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
- Gen 29:17Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- Song 1:14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
- 2 Sam 11:2And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
- Gen 39:6–7And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 12:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.