Genesis 12:20 (ASV)

Passage

And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him: and they brought him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.

Nearby Context

Genesis 12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Genesis 12:19 why saidst thou, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Genesis 12:20 And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him: and they brought him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "pharaoh", "gave", "charge", "concerning", "brought", and "wife". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "pharaoh" and "gave", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "why saidst thou She is my sister...", giving immediate footing for "pharaoh" and "gave". In Genesis context, the local focus is creation, human rebellion, covenant promise, and God's providence.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "pharaoh" and "gave" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.