God’s Word Translation
Genesis 12:20
20Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram. They sent Abram away with his wife and everything that he had.
Genesis 12:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
- New International Version (NIV)Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.
Context of Genesis 12:20
18Then Pharaoh called for Abram. “What have you done to me?” he asked. “Why didn’t you tell me that she’s your wife? 19Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister’ and allow me to take her for my wife? Here’s your wife! Take her and go!” Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram. They sent Abram away with his wife and everything that he had.
Read all of Genesis 12Genesis 12:20 word by word
וַיְצַ֥ו עָלָ֛יו פַּרְעֹ֖ה אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Genesis 12:20
- Exodus 18:27Moses sent his father-in-law on his way. So Jethro went back to his own country.
- 1 Samuel 29:6Then Achish called David and told him, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives, you are a dependable man. I consider your campaigning with me a good thing, because I’ve never found anything wrong with you from the day you came to me until now. But the rulers don’t approve of you.
- Psalms 105:14He didn’t permit anyone to oppress them. He warned kings about them:
- Proverbs 21:1The king’s heart is like streams of water. Both are under the Lord’s control. He turns them in any direction he chooses.
Commentaries on Genesis 12:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Commanded his men concerning him - Gave particular and strict orders to afford Abram and his family every accommodation for their journey; for having received a great increase of cattle and servants, it was necessary that he should have the favor of the king, and his permission to remove from Egypt with so large a property; hence, a particular charge is given to the officers of Pharaoh to treat him with respect, and to assist him in his intended…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10-20Verses 10-20 - XXXVIII. Abram in Egypt 15. פרעה par‛oh Paroh, “ouro.” Coptic for “king,” with the masculine article pi. or p. P-ouro, “the king.” If we separate the article p. from the Hebrew form, we have רעה re‛oh for king, which may be compared with רעה ro‛eh “pastor, leader,” and the Latin rex, king. This is the common title of the Egyptian sovereigns, to which we have the personal name occasionally added, as Pharaoh-Necho, Pharaoh-Hophrah. Genesis…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-20Verses 10-20 There is no state on earth free from trials, nor any character free from blemishes. There was famine in Canaan, the glory of all lands, and unbelief, with the evils it ever brings, in Abram the father of the faithful. Perfect happiness and perfect purity dwell only in heaven. Abram, when he must for a time quit Canaan, goes to Egypt, that he might not seem to look back, and meaning to tarry there no longer than needful. There Abram dissembled…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20Abram did not need to answer Pharaoh’s questions (12:18–19) because Pharaoh’s rebuke was followed by expulsion. Pharaoh’s command echoed God’s command to Abram (12:1), but Pharaoh’s words brought Abram shame and disgrace. Even so, God remained faithful and preserved his promise.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2018-20. Here is a most humiliating rebuke, and Abram deserved it. Had not God interfered, he might have been tempted to stay in Egypt and forget the promise (Psa 105:13, 15). Often still does God rebuke His people and remind them through enemies that this world is not their rest.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 12:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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