Genesis 12:20 (DBY)

Passage

And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him, and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Nearby Context

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

Genesis 12:19 Why didst thou say, She is my sister, so that I took her as my wife. And now, behold, there is thy wife: take [her], and go away.

Genesis 12:20 And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him, and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Study Lenses

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

The prior verse says "Why didst thou say She is my...", giving immediate footing for "pharaoh" and "commanded". 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 "commanded" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.