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Genesis 12:18 - Pharaoh questions Avram's deception

Genesis 12:18 - בראשית 12:18

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְרָא פַרְעֹה לְאַבְרָם וַיֹּאמֶר מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ לִּי לָמָּה לֹא־הִגַּדְתָּ לִּי כִּי אִשְׁתְּךָ הִוא׃

English Translation

And Par῾o called Avram, and said, What is this that thou hast done to me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Transliteration

Va-yikra Paro le-Avram va-yomer ma-zot asita li lama lo higadta li ki ishtekha hi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְרָ֤א פַרְעֹה֙ לְאַבְרָ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לִּ֑י לָ֚מָּה לֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתָּ לִּ֔י כִּ֥י אִשְׁתְּךָ֖ הִֽוא׃
וַיִּקְרָ֤א פַרְעֹה֙ לְאַבְרָ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לִּ֑י לָ֚מָּה לֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתָּ לִּ֔י כִּ֥י אִשְׁתְּךָ֖ הִֽוא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Pharaoh's Rebuke of Avram

The verse (Bereshit 12:18) describes Pharaoh confronting Avram after discovering that Sarai was his wife, not his sister as Avram had initially claimed. This incident raises several questions about Avram's actions and Pharaoh's response.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that Pharaoh's words "What is this that you have done to me?" imply that Avram's deception caused Pharaoh to sin unknowingly by taking a married woman. Rashi further explains that Pharaoh's question "Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?" suggests that had Pharaoh known, he would have respected their marriage and not taken Sarai.

Rambam's Perspective on Deception

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:6) discusses situations where deception may be permitted to save lives. Avram's action can be understood in this context, as he feared for his life if Pharaoh knew Sarai was his wife (Bereshit 12:12). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 40:4) supports this view, stating that Avram acted out of legitimate concern for their safety.

Pharaoh's Moral Standing

The Talmud (Sotah 47a) notes that even wicked individuals like Pharaoh may exhibit moments of moral clarity. Pharaoh's recognition of his wrongdoing demonstrates that he understood the gravity of taking another man's wife, despite his general immoral character.

Lessons from the Incident

  • The importance of preserving life may sometimes justify unconventional actions (based on Rambam's principle of pikuach nefesh).
  • Even those we consider wicked may display moral understanding in specific situations.
  • The Torah records this incident to show God's protection of Avram and Sarai despite the challenging circumstances.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh get angry at Avram in Genesis 12:18?
A: Pharaoh was upset because Avram (later called Avraham) had not told him that Sarai was his wife, leading Pharaoh to take her into his palace. According to Rashi, Pharaoh felt deceived because Avram had said Sarai was his sister (which was partially true, as she was his niece and considered like a sister). This caused Pharaoh to suffer plagues from Hashem until he returned her.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Avram's actions in this verse?
A: The Midrash teaches that Avram was afraid Pharaoh would kill him to take Sarai, so he withheld the full truth to protect his life (a principle called 'pikuach nefesh'). However, this incident later led Avram to realize that he should have trusted in Hashem’s protection more fully. It teaches us about balancing trust in G-d with practical caution.
Q: Why is this story important in the Torah?
A: This event highlights the challenges faced by Avram as the first Jew in a foreign land. The Ramban explains that it foreshadows the Jewish people’s future struggles in exile and how Hashem protects them. It also sets the stage for the covenant between Hashem and Avram that follows in later chapters.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish marriage (kiddushin)?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) derives from this episode that marriage (kiddushin) must be publicly known to avoid misunderstandings. Avram’s concealment of his marriage caused turmoil, teaching that transparency in relationships is essential according to halacha (Jewish law).
Q: What does Pharaoh’s reaction teach us about morality?
A: Despite being a pagan king, Pharaoh recognized the immorality of taking another man’s wife, showing even non-Jews have an innate sense of morality (based on the Noachide laws). The Sforno notes that his protest ('What is this you’ve done to me?') reflects universal ethical principles.