Genesis 12:17
New International Version
But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

New Living Translation
But the LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

English Standard Version
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

King James Bible
And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

New King James Version
But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

NASB 1995
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

NASB 1977
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Amplified Bible
But the LORD punished Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Contemporary English Version
Because of Sarai, the LORD struck the king and everyone in his palace with terrible diseases.

English Revised Version
And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with terrible plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Good News Translation
But because the king had taken Sarai, the LORD sent terrible diseases on him and on the people of his palace.

International Standard Version
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

NET Bible
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe diseases because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

New Heart English Bible
But God plagued Pharaoh and his house with great and grievous plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

World English Bible
Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH plagues Pharaoh and his house—great plagues—for the matter of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah plagueth Pharaoh and his house -- great plagues -- for the matter of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will touch Pharaoh with great strokes, and his house on account of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram's wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord scourged Pharaoh and his house with great wounds because of Sarai, the wife of Abram.

New American Bible
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

New Revised Standard Version
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his household with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH struck Pharaoh with great plagues, and the children of his house, because of Sarai, the wife of Abram.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God afflicted Pharao with great and severe afflictions, and his house, because of Sara, Abram's wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abram and Sarai in Egypt
16He treated Abram well on her account, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels. 17The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?…

Cross References
Exodus 9:14-16
Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. / For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth. / But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

1 Samuel 5:6-12
Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors. / And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” / So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. ...

2 Samuel 24:15-17
So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. / But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. / When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”

Psalm 105:14-15
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: / “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”

Psalm 105:26-36
He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. / They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. / He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words. ...

Psalm 105:37-38
He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. / Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.

Psalm 105:42-45
For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham His servant. / He brought forth His people with rejoicing, His chosen with shouts of joy. / He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor, ...

Isaiah 19:22
And the LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; He will strike them but heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and He will hear their prayers and heal them.

Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

Acts 7:6-7
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Acts 7:17-18
As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. / Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt.

Acts 7:34
I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Genesis 20:18
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

1 Chronicles 16:21
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

1 Chronicles 21:22
Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

Jump to Previous
Abram's Afflicted Diseases Great House Household Inflicted Matter Pharaoh Pharaoh's Plagued Plagues Plagueth Sarai Sar'ai Serious Struck Troubles Wife
Jump to Next
Abram's Afflicted Diseases Great House Household Inflicted Matter Pharaoh Pharaoh's Plagued Plagues Plagueth Sarai Sar'ai Serious Struck Troubles Wife
Genesis 12
1. God calls Abram, and blesses him with a promise of Christ.
4. He departs with Lot from Haran, and comes to Canaan.
6. He journeys through Canaan,
7. which is promised to him in a vision.
10. He is driven by famine into Egypt.
11. Fear makes him feign his wife to be his sister.
14. Pharaoh, having taken her from him, is compelled to restore her.
18. Pharaoh reproves Abram, whom he dismisses.














The LORD
This phrase refers to Yahweh, the covenantal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It emphasizes God's sovereignty and His active role in the narrative. The use of "The LORD" here underscores the divine authority and intervention in human affairs, particularly in protecting His chosen people. Historically, this name is deeply rooted in the identity of the Israelites, signifying a personal and relational God who is faithful to His promises.

afflicted
The Hebrew root for "afflicted" is "נָגַע" (naga), which means to touch or strike. This word conveys the idea of a direct and purposeful action by God. In the context of the ancient Near East, plagues or afflictions were often seen as divine judgments. This affliction serves as a demonstration of God's power and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His covenant people, even when they are in foreign lands.

Pharaoh and his household
Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, represents the epitome of earthly power and authority. His household includes not just his family but also his servants and officials. The mention of Pharaoh's household being afflicted highlights the comprehensive nature of God's intervention. In the historical context, Egypt was a powerful nation, and Pharaoh was considered a god-king. This affliction serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against the will of the true God.

with severe plagues
The term "severe plagues" indicates a series of divine judgments that are both intense and unmistakable. The Hebrew word for "plagues" is "מַכָּה" (makkah), which can mean a blow or a wound. These plagues are a precursor to the more famous plagues that would later befall Egypt in the time of Moses. They serve as a warning and a demonstration of God's protective hand over Abram and Sarai. The severity of the plagues underscores the seriousness of the offense against God's chosen ones.

because of Abram’s wife Sarai
This phrase highlights the reason for God's intervention. Sarai, later known as Sarah, is central to God's covenantal promise to Abram. Her role as Abram's wife is crucial, as she is to be the mother of nations. The protection of Sarai is not just about her personal safety but about the preservation of God's plan for His people. This incident foreshadows the importance of the lineage that will come through Abram and Sarai, ultimately leading to the birth of the nation of Israel and, in the Christian perspective, the coming of the Messiah.

Verse 17. - And the Lord plagued (literally, struck) Pharaoh and his house with great plagues (or strokes, either of disease or death, or some other calamity - an indication that Pharaoh was not entirely innocent) because of Sarai Abram's wife. The effect of this was to lead to the discovery, not through the aid of the Egyptian priests (Josephus), but either through a special revelation granted to him, as afterwards (Genesis 20:6) to Abimelech in a dream (Chrysostom), or through the confession of Sarai herself (A Lapide), or through the servants of Abraham (Kurtz).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD, however,
יְהוָ֧ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

afflicted
וַיְנַגַּ֨ע (way·nag·ga‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

Pharaoh
פַּרְעֹ֛ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

and his household
בֵּית֑וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

with severe
גְּדֹלִ֖ים (gə·ḏō·lîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

plagues
נְגָעִ֥ים (nə·ḡā·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5061: Mark -- a blow, a spot

because of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Abram’s
אַבְרָֽם׃ (’aḇ·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 87: Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham

wife
אֵ֥שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Sarai.
שָׂרַ֖י (śā·ray)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8297: Sarai -- a wife of Abram


Links
Genesis 12:17 NIV
Genesis 12:17 NLT
Genesis 12:17 ESV
Genesis 12:17 NASB
Genesis 12:17 KJV

Genesis 12:17 BibleApps.com
Genesis 12:17 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 12:17 Chinese Bible
Genesis 12:17 French Bible
Genesis 12:17 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 12:17 Yahweh plagued Pharaoh and his house (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 12:16
Top of Page
Top of Page