Abraham’s journey

Leaving home. Following a promise.

All journeys

Illustrated map of Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt, with the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

MEDITERRANEAN
SEA MESOPOTAMIA Euphrates Tigris CANAAN EGYPT

05 Egypt

Illustrative routeAncient locations · approximate

CHAPTER 05 OF 06

Illustrative map · locations approximate

Down to Egypt

Egypt · Famine and fear

A severe famine leads Abram to Egypt. Afraid for his life because of Sarai’s beauty, he asks her to say she is his sister. The decision brings danger to their household and to Pharaoh’s.

Genesis 12:10–20

Abraham is called Abram at this point in the story.

You might be wondering...

Why did Abram go to Egypt?

Genesis 12:10 says there was a severe famine in the land. Abram went to Egypt to live there for a time.

What happened to Sarai?

Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s household. After the Lord brought plagues on Pharaoh’s house, Pharaoh confronted Abram and sent him away with Sarai and all that belonged to him.