Genesis 12:11

11 And when he was near to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife: I know that thou art a beautiful woman:

Genesis 12:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 12:11

And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into
Egypt
Just entering into it, having travelled from the mountain between Bethel and Hai, two hundred and forty miles ^F16; or when he "caused to come near" ^F17, either his camp, as Aben Ezra supplies it, or his tent, or his family, as others:

that he said unto Sarai his wife, behold now, I know that thou art
a fair woman to look upon;
though sixty five years of age, being ten years younger than her husband, see ( Genesis 17:17 ) who was now seventy five years old, ( Genesis 12:4 ) yet might still be a fair woman, having a good complexion and comely features, and having never bore children, and especially she would be reckoned so among the Egyptians, whose women were of a blackish, sallow, swarthy complexion.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Travels of the Holy Patriarchs p. 56.
F17 (byrqh rvak) "quum admoveret, sub tentorium", so some in Vatablus; "familiam", Munster.

Genesis 12:11 In-Context

9 And Abram went forward, going and proceeding on to the south.

10 And there came a famine in the country: and Abram went down into Egypt, to sojourn there: for the famine was very grievous in the land.

11 And when he was near to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife: I know that thou art a beautiful woman:

12 And that when the Egyptians shall see thee, they will say: She is his wife: and they will kill me, and keep thee.

13 Say, therefore, I pray thee, that thou art my sister: that I may be well used for thee, and that my soul may live for thy sake.