Gen 12:17, 20:3 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 17. The Lord plagued Pharaoh ] What these plagues were we know not. In the parallel case, , all the females in the family of Abimelech, who had taken Sarah in nearly the same way, were made barren; possibly this might have been the case here; yet much more seems to be signified by the expression great plagues . Whatever these plagues were, it is evident they were understood by Pharaoh as proofs of the disapprobation of God; and, consequently, even at this time in Egypt there was some knowledge of the primitive and true religion.

‏ Genesis 12:17

Verse 17. The Lord plagued Pharaoh] What these plagues were we know not. In the parallel case, Ge 20:18, all the females in the family of Abimelech, who had taken Sarah in nearly the same way, were made barren; possibly this might have been the case here; yet much more seems to be signified by the expression great plagues. Whatever these plagues were, it is evident they were understood by Pharaoh as proofs of the disapprobation of God; and, consequently, even at this time in Egypt there was some knowledge of the primitive and true religion.

‏ Genesis 20:3

Verse 3. But God came to Abimelech] Thus we find that persons who were not of the family of Abraham had the knowledge of the true God. Indeed, all the Gerarites are termed goi tsaddik, a righteous nation, Ge 20:4.