There is a situation in Genesis, when God’s selected righteous person appears to lie, which caused his wife to suffer a rather awkward dilemma. Abram (his name is later changed to Abraham) says to his wife, Sarai, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” (Genesis 12:11a-13, ESV).1
We will study this scripture and see if we can shed additional light upon the situation. But first, we must have more knowledge, so let’s get a better understanding with some background information.
Abram’s lineage can be traced back to Noah’s son, Shem. Abram, fathered by Terah, was part of Noah’s 10th generation after the flood, through Shem. One of Abram’s brothers, Nahor fathered Lot, before he died. And Abram took a wife named Sarai.
Terah planned to move, so he took his son Abram, and his grandson Lot, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, and left Ur, near the Persian Gulf, and headed inland toward the land of Canaan. When they stopped at Haran, Terah decided to settle there. Later, it is here that Abram gets a message from God, telling him to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household to continue on to Canaan, as was originally planned; he was to be shown a new land to settle.
Along with that call to Abram, God promises to make, from him, a great nation, and to bless him, and to make great his name. This promise is regarded as the first about the coming Savior, who would bring salvation to all nations. “God had long ago made it clear that the Savior would be born into the human family (‘seed of the woman’, as promised in Genesis 3:15), and now it becomes clear to Abram that it would be accomplished through his own family.”2
God also promised to bless those who honor Abram and curse those who dishonor him. So, at seventy-five years of age Abram left, along with his wife Sarai (ten years younger), and his brother’s son Lot, and their possessions, livestock, and household staff, and set out for the land of Canaan.
The direction he was to travel led to the Negeb area (Genesis 12:9), which means ‘the south’ and is basically a desert place. They were leaving good fertile land heading for the barren desert to the south, so leaving “required an unparalleled act of faith,”3 for he still did not know exactly where God expected him to stop.
Abram decides to go to Egypt
When they later reached a valley area, near the Mediterranean Sea in Canaan, called Shechem, the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7). God’s announcement was an indication that this was the land he wanted them to have, so Abram built an altar there. However, he decides to continue on to Egypt and make temporary residence there, because there was currently a severe famine in the land they were to occupy. This would make Abram’s status that of a sojourner in Egypt, “a position between that of a native and a foreigner. Privileges are dependent solely on the hospitality of the natives of a land.”4
As they were about to enter Egypt, Abram explains to Sarai that she should tell everyone she is his sister. Why? “Abram fears that Sarai’s beauty will lead the Egyptians to procure her for Pharaoh at any cost. He also believes he will be killed if the Egyptians learn of their marriage . . . Abram’s fears are well-founded — the Egyptians kidnap Sarai.”
Since she was taken to the house of Pharaoh, it implies that Sarai becomes a member of his harem and he later acknowledges that he has taken Sarai as a wife.5 There is no direct statement as to if Sarai had intercourse with Pharaoh, but “becoming a wife, in these narratives, always implies sexual relations.”6
According to Egyptologist Kenneth Kitchen, “the pharaohs were commonly partial to attractive foreign ladies, as finds [artifacts] and texts for the Middle and New Kingdoms attest.”7 Besides, Abram’s very large group would have needed special permission to live and trade in Egypt. It was common that “economic and political contracts in the ancient world were sometimes finalized by the weaker party giving a woman to the leader of the stronger party. Such women would then become part of the leader’s harem (this probably explains why Solomon had seven hundred wives [1 Kings 11:3]). Sarai was the most desirable woman in Abram’s group [despite her age of 65 years], so when Pharaoh’s officials … praised her to Pharaoh, she was taken to Pharaoh’s harem.”8
Telling the Egyptians that Sarai was his sister not only saved Abram’s life, but also made him rich. Concerning Pharaoh, the Bible states he gave Abram much, “And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.” (Genesis 12:6). These gifts from the Pharaoh would have been a type of dowry to the family, in exchange for taking Sarai into his harem.
Probably, Abram concocted his scheme based upon his knowledge of the Egyptians’ social laws. “In enemy territory a husband could be killed for his wife. But if Abram were known as her brother, someone wanting her would have to make marriage arrangements with him, which would possibly give him time to react in his own interest.”9
Although this plan was hatched out of fear, God’s promise to Abram was still jeopardized. He was trying to solve a problem, but instead of having full faith in God, he had taken matters into his own hands for a solution. More than just losing his wife was at stake here. Without his wife, God’s promised blessing would be doomed. To fix this dilemma and get the plan back on track, God had to bail Abram out of his mess. So, God’s promise to curse those who dishonored Abram was used to release Sarai from bondage.
”But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, ‘What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why 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.’ And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.” (Genesis 12:17-20). So Abram and his wife, and household headed back into the land in Canaan, where God originally wanted them to settle.
Was telling a lie about Sarai really the basis of the problem?
Did this problem come about because God was displeased with Abram’s lie about Sarai? No, it was caused by Abram’s bad decisions and lack of faith — that is what jeopardized God’s promise. As far as telling the Egyptians that Sarai was his sister, well, that was technically correct. He only told the Egyptians what he wanted them to know, but she was, really, his half-sister.
That description of his wife’s relationship is used again, at a later time in Genesis 20. After being confronted by Abimelech, the king of Gerar, Abraham (Abram) said, “she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.” (Genesis 20:12). So, they both shared a father, but not a mother.
And he went on to say, “when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.’ ” (Genesis 20:13). So, this was not the only time he used such a ploy; it seems this was their standard procedure.
Where are the offspring of Abraham now?
There are many stories about Abram, whose name was changed to Abraham by God (and Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah). You will find them all in the book of Genesis. His life begins in Genesis chapter 11 and ends in Genesis chapter 25. He died at the age of 175.
God kept reinforcing his promise to Abraham to make his name great and later said, “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:17-18).
Abraham’s promised seed leads to Jesus Christ, but also to a whole world of peoples. Who are the offspring of his seed, today — the promised children? Who makes up the offspring that are as great a number as the sand on the seashore, or the stars of heaven? We are! We are the children.
My song selection for this study is “We are the Sands, We are the Stars” featuring gospel baritone Todd Suttles. Selected lyrics are below and a music video is listed in References & Notes.10
You took an old man walkin’ by the sea
Waves and sand as far as he could see
“Now count the grains of sand, that stretch across the land
Trust Me now, so shall your seed be”
When evening fell You showed another sight
The wide black velvet canopy of night
“Now number all the stars, as countless as they are
Your children shall outnumber all these lights”
We are the stars, we are the sand
We are the promise that You made to Abraham
Copyright © 2020, Dr. Ray Hermann
OutlawBibleStudent.org
→ Leave comments at the end, after ‘References & Notes’.
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Reference & Notes
- All scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The text has been used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Morris, Henry M., The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1976), pp. 294–295.
- Ross, Allen P., “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, (Eds.) J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), vol. 1, p. 47.
- Currid, John D., A Study Commentary on Genesis: Genesis 1:1–25:18, EP Study Commentary, (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, n.d.), vol. 1, p. 259.
- Barry John D., et al., Faithlife Study Bible, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Genesis 12:11-16.
- Borgman, Paul, Genesis: The Story We Haven’t Heard, (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001), pp. 42–43.
- Mathews, Kenneth A. and Luter, A. Boyd Jr., “Genesis,” in CSB Apologetics Study Bible, (Ed.) Ted Cabal, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), p. 20.
- Bergen, Robert D., “Genesis,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, (Eds.) Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), p. 28.
- Ross, Allen P. “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, (see above), p. 49.
- “We Are The Sands, We Are The Stars”, Artist: Gaither Vocal Band; Writers: Gloria Gaither, Reba Rambo-McGuire and Dony McGuire; Album/DVD: We Have This Moment; Label: Gaither Music Group, (Spring House Music, Inc., 2017, BMI) – VIDEO: https://youtu.be/G8Bs2o-3D-M
I am a Christ following woman, but a part of the current age. My generation has had to come to terms with the fact that even though we women have the vote, have educations and careers, we will always be like ‘Eve’ seeking to take the man’s place. The human just doesn’t recognize when it is well off. The story of Sarai demands I wrestle with my role as ‘helper’ to my husband. There’s a temptation to say that because he is not perfect, I don’t have to follow. Reality: Adam was in the garden WITH Eve when she took and handed him the apple. (Gen 3:6) Adam did not stop Eve and suggest they pray before they listened to the serpent.
Relevant to Abram and Sarai, is the fear of Pharoah that had Abram pass his wife off as his sister to become the Pharoah’s wife. In his fear, he did not stop to pray, Lord, what should we do here? We need to have access to Egypt..etc. Nope. Off went Sarai to the Pharoah! When Sarai panicked and told Abram to take Hagar, did he stop, put his arm around Sarai and suggest they pray together? No! He went right to Hagar. Thus began a new consequence for incomplete faith and obedience.
Bottom line: God loved Abraham and Abraham loved God. Abraham was a man with many failings but God still considered him a man of faith and moved through him. I feel that Sarah might have had the experience Esther had in the palace of the Pharoah. A terrifying vacation from the dusty, clamorous tents of a nomadic tribe. God took care of Sarai in her obedience and that is the lesson for me. God’s ways are not ours but He is faithful and Isaac came through Abraham and Sarah because of His promise. She was a godly woman who walked behind her man in obedience. She trusted God to take care of her when Abraham did not.
You make some good points; thanks for sharing.
I suppose it was lack of faith, in other words, fear that caused Abraham to digress to Egypt instead of where he had been directed by God to settle. A change of focus from God to ourselves is always a disaster not only to ourselves but to a whole lot.
Remarkable is the fact that God looks beyond our weakness and pretenses in fulfilling His purposes. When it comes to His purposes for mankind, God will stop at nothing. Very assuring! God bless you.
Thank you for sharing your opinion and I agree that we are fortunate God is so loving and forgiving.
I am writing a story about Sarai’s experience of obedience and being traded to Pharoah for grazing rights and Abraham’s safety. What about her safety? It is said that she became his ‘wife’ which means he used her sexually. What did this woman do with the fear, the anger, the terror that she must have felt when Abraham coolly informs her that she is to be used as a sexual pawn when it becomes necessary according to his lights?
She was an obedient, godly woman. I just hope she enjoyed her time in the palaces she got to visit: walking on flagstone rather than dirt and dust, wearing court garb rather than the dusty linens of the desert, having times in a spa with all the splurge of frangrance and body care that any woman might wish.
Then, she experiences sex with different men. I am hoping she enjoyed it, that the men valued her, were gentle and experienced lovers. Abraham never stopped to ask the Lord if there was an alternative to using Sarai. The Lord had BIG plans for him. Surely, He also had other ‘outs’ for his patriarch.
Nothing suggests that Sarai was hurt by these experiences. I am just hoping that the Lord rewarded her with any enjoyment possible under the circumstances and in consequence of her humble obedience.
Thank you for expressing your opinion, and I did enjoy your perspective. Women didn’t get too many breaks in those ancient days, but in this case, God was looking out for Sarai and her husband. Could the following be considered in your article?
Saying Sarai was his sister, Abram thought, would have negated a random kidnaping, but being sent to Pharaoh was an ironic twist of fate. And I doubt that she experienced sex with the men who procured her. To compromise Sarai and then present her to the king, would probably have gotten them a death sentence.
Just being in the king’s harem did not mean sex was expected. But, under the circumstances, Abram knew only God could rescue his wife. So, the Lord plagued the palace with problems to cause Pharaoh to have second thoughts. It was divine intervention, which saved Sarai, enriched them both, and brought Abram’s wife back.
When Pharaoh berated Abram, according to the NKJV, he said “I might have taken her as my wife,” (Gen. 12:19). But that didn’t mean he had yet had sex with her.
I love your text and I agree with everything you say. Man love to use and abuse women, but at the end we will survive, God is the only one who truly takes care of us. Because man fail again and again. My main concern about Sarai and her happiness and it hurts me that nobody seems to care. What about her dreams? Expectations? To a certain extent, it’s great that she still alive. But what if they abused her and hurt her, beat her, etc.
How do pharaohs harems really work, would the women be happy and free like queens or enslaved and repeatedly abused? I guess for the man looking only to Abraham that does not matter. But for us women, we care for one another. The only things I can think of as a women is that this world would be much better if it was ruled by us not the men.
I appreciate your comments and for taking the time to share your opinion. You had a question on how harems really worked. There is a website that may add insight to your quest; it is Historical Eve. An article I came across there may give you some answers. The article is “The Jeneret House, the life of the pharaoh’s women” and the link is https://historicaleve.com/jeneret-house-life-of-pharaoh-women/
Hi, Susan, if only this story was related correctly. The whole concept of this narrative was to end multiple wives. This was the start of marriage for life one woman one man. The full version explains more about Abraham going to Egypt. Yes, he was afraid and yes God spoke to him. But drought had struck the land and so they all go to Egypt.
Trade of wives was commonplace with deals and Abraham may be killed to make his wife a widower. Doubtful that was the motive. Abraham was a businessman he barters even with God he knew that trade may be necessary for his own business. He sinned. God only favors Abraham here because he turned from multiple Gods in Ur. He actually becomes mates with Pharoh and starts his own harem but then the curve ball from God punishes Pharoh who also is also a Shemite by the way so he knew the plagues come from God.
He sends Abraham away after he finds out about Abrahams’s lie. Like David Abraham repents and here is where the role of women starts to improve. Abraham gives up his harem to make amends to Sarah and asks for forgiveness from her and God and returns back to God’s promised land. Now no multiple Gods and now no multiple wives.
Pharaoh gave Hagar to Sarah as a parting gift Abraham stays with only Sarah until she offers him to her for an heir. Once again no possible answer from God on drought or heirs so he thinks ok I’ll do it and again he gets it wrong. God wants complete trust he masters this by the time Isaac is in his youth. So God and Abraham were working to improve the situation of women and this was all a hangover from the Nephalim days. It was only the rich and ruling classes that had multiple wives.
The Jews still contended with this for generations after they love manipulating God’s laws and examples. It’s not until Christianity starts that the world starts to come to grips with no multiple wives and then takes another 2000 years for humanity to understand no owning wives. It is worth noting however God does not stop women from being women and men from being men our roles for our gender are God-given and correct from the moment of our creation to declare otherwise would imply God made a mistake. Interesting times we now live in.
You are right to imply Sarah is a wonderful woman she was after all a princess. But don’t make the mistake to think it would not be a good life in an Egyptian Harem many would prefer that to slavery for both women and men alike as at the time of Moses. In the harem, you are well looked after and it was very acceptable in all cultures. This is why God wants a transformation. Sarah actually steps up in class if Abraham didn’t get rid of his harem she may well have opted for Pharoh’s if he wasn’t afflicted by God.
In both cases leaving Ur and now leaving Egypt showed she was willing to stand by and support Abraham her role in all this is perfect and full of grace and dignity even in such trying times. Wonder who else is like that. An interesting note is that although Eve’s so-called sins every other women in the bible who is Jewish is without fault.
I just finished reading Genesis chapter 14. I had questions as to how and why everyone in Pharaoh’s court got sick. This helped me understand so much more. Thank you.
I’m happy you found an answer to your question. And thank you for your kind words.
James 2:23 states that Abraham was a friend of God. As you have stated above, this “friend of God” was not perfect. In fact, even after he messed things up, God bailed him out. That is amazing grace at work. Isn’t it incredible that even when we sin, God still works in our lives and gets us back on track?
Does Abraham’s story make God unjust? No. When Jesus died on the cross, God’s name and purposes are vindicated. On the basis of Christ’s death on the cross, God justified Abraham and he continues to justify unworthy sinners like you and me.
I see this story as astounding evidence that the work of grace in our lives is all God.
Thank you for taking the time to share your comment. And you are, indeed, correct in your assessment. I, too, see this story as evidence of the work of grace in our lives is all from God.
For other readers that may be interested, the scripture mentioned by G. Michael is from the Epistle of James when he wrote about faith and deeds. James was quoting from Genesis 15:6.
“And the Scripture was fulfilled [Genesis 15:6] that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’ — and he was called a friend of God.” (James 2:23, ESV).
A short study on this subject is “Saved by Faith: With or Without Works?” https://outlawbiblestudent.org/saved-by-faith-with-or-without-works/
Thank you for this story. It has helped me understand and someone else too. I read what you said about Sarai being Abram’s half sister and I found that interesting. A few days later I was involved in a discussion of Abrams visit to Egypt when a member of the group said it wasn’t right to pass off his wife as his sister. Then I explained the incident as you did in the story and she was amazed that she missed that important point in the bible. So you educated me and also someone else indirectly. Thank you for your research.
I appreciate that you give me credit and I thank you, but I believe it is really God who directs such events. Coincidence, maybe, but most probably heavenly intervention. But I thank you for reading this article and for sharing the experience for others to read. I hope you return often.