Abraham’s Deception: Claiming His Wife as His Sister

Abraham, one of the most revered figures in Scripture, was a man of great faith. However, his life was not without moments of fear and failure. Twice, Abraham falsely claimed that his wife, Sarah, was his sister, leading to situations where she was taken into the households of foreign rulers. This study will examine these two accounts, analyzing who Abraham lied to, why he lied, what he feared, how Sarah was taken and returned, and ultimately, what faith has to do with these events.

First Instance: Abraham Lies to Pharaoh (Genesis 12:10-20)

The first occurrence of Abraham’s deception takes place in Genesis 12. After God called him out of Ur and into Canaan, a famine struck the land:

“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.” (Genesis 12:10)

Rather than trusting God’s provision in Canaan, Abraham moved to Egypt. This decision placed him in a vulnerable position, where he feared for his life. Abraham anticipated that the Egyptians would see Sarah’s beauty and kill him to take her.

“And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.’” (Genesis 12:11-12)

Here we see Abraham’s fear—he was afraid that powerful men would covet his wife and murder him to take her. Instead of trusting God’s protection, he resorted to deception.

The Lie and Its Consequences

Abraham instructed Sarah:

“Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” (Genesis 12:13)

Sarah was indeed Abraham’s half-sister (Genesis 20:12), but the intent behind Abraham’s statement was deceitful. His aim was self-preservation, rather than reliance on God.

Pharaoh’s officials saw Sarah’s beauty and took her into Pharaoh’s palace:

“The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house.” (Genesis 12:15)

Because of this, Pharaoh treated Abraham well, giving him livestock and servants. However, Abraham’s deception put his wife at risk, as she was now part of Pharaoh’s household.

God’s Intervention and Sarah’s Return

Though Abraham’s actions lacked faith, God remained faithful. He sent plagues upon Pharaoh and his house:

“But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17)

Recognizing that something was wrong, Pharaoh confronted Abraham:

“What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?” (Genesis 12:18)

Pharaoh returned Sarah and expelled Abraham from Egypt:

“Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.” (Genesis 12:19)

Abraham left Egypt with greater wealth, but his fear-driven decision demonstrated a lack of faith in God’s protection.

Second Instance: Abraham Lies to Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-18)

Years later, Abraham found himself in another situation where he feared for his life. In Genesis 20, he journeyed to Gerar, the land of King Abimelech:

“And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” (Genesis 20:2)

Again, Abraham feared that powerful men would kill him to take Sarah. This fear led him to repeat the same lie he told in Egypt.

The Lie and Its Consequences

Abimelech, unaware of the truth, took Sarah into his household. Unlike Pharaoh, who faced plagues, Abimelech received a direct warning from God:

“But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.’” (Genesis 20:3)

Abimelech, unaware of Sarah’s marriage, pleaded innocence:

“Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” (Genesis 20:4-5)

God acknowledged Abimelech’s innocence and instructed him to return Sarah.

God’s Intervention and Sarah’s Return

Abimelech confronted Abraham, asking why he had deceived him:

“Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, ‘What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.’” (Genesis 20:9)

Abraham admitted his fear:

“Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.” (Genesis 20:11)

Once again, Abraham’s deception was rooted in fear, not faith.

Abimelech returned Sarah, blessed Abraham, and even offered land and gifts:

“And Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.” (Genesis 20:14)

However, God had already closed the wombs of Abimelech’s household due to Sarah’s presence:

“For the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.” (Genesis 20:18)

Upon Sarah’s return, God healed Abimelech’s household.

What Faith Has to Do With It

Abraham’s actions in these accounts reveal that even great men of faith have moments of weakness. His deception stemmed from fear—fear that powerful men would kill him for his wife. Instead of trusting God’s protection, Abraham relied on his own schemes.

However, God’s faithfulness remained unshaken. Despite Abraham’s failures, God intervened, protected Sarah, and ensured His covenant plan would not be derailed.

These accounts teach us valuable lessons:

Faith must overcome fear. Abraham’s greatest struggles came when he feared man more than he trusted God. Psalm 56:3-4 reminds us: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.”

Deception is never the right path. Abraham’s lies caused unnecessary turmoil. Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”

God is faithful even when we falter. Despite Abraham’s failures, God remained steadfast in His promises. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

True faith acknowledges God’s authority. When Abraham trusted God completely, he saw God’s power at work. It was only when he relied on his own understanding that he faltered (Proverbs 3:5-6).

My Final Thoughts

Abraham’s deception, repeated twice, highlights the reality that even the strongest believers struggle with faith at times. However, these failures also reveal God’s unchanging faithfulness. Though Abraham feared for his life, God had already determined to protect him and fulfill His covenant. If Abraham had fully trusted God, he would have had no reason to lie.

As believers, we must learn from Abraham’s mistakes. Instead of fearing man, we must trust in the Lord, knowing that He has authority over all things. Let us be people of faith, whose confidence in God is unshakable, no matter the circumstances.

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