Thematic Bible: Abraham, in calling his wife his sister


Thematic Bible



He was about to enter Egypt. He said to his wife Sarai: I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say: 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me, but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and my life will be spared because of you. read more.
When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman. Pharaoh's officials saw her. They praised her to Pharaoh. She was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake. Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels. Jehovah inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. What have you done to me? he asked. Why did you not tell me she was your wife? Why did you say: 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!

he said that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. God appeared to the king in a dream and said: You are going to die, because you have taken this woman. She is already married. Abimelech had not come near her. He said: Lord, I am innocent! Would you destroy my people and me? read more.
Abraham said that she was his sister. She said the same thing. I did this with a clear conscience. I have done no wrong! God said to him in a dream: Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. In fact, I kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Give the man's wife back to him now. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not give her back, you and all who belong to you are doomed to die. So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them everything. The men were very afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham. He said to him: What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you? You have brought a great sin on me and on my kingdom. You have done to me things that ought not to be done. Abimelech also asked Abraham: What were you thinking when you did this? Abraham said: I thought that because there are no people who reverence God in this place, I would be killed because of my wife. Besides, she is my sister. She is my father's daughter, but not my mother's. She is also my wife.