This is a moment of shame for Abram and Sarai, for Pharaoh is ordering them from Egypt, never to return. Abram had lied to the Egyptians about his wife Sarai. She is my sister, he said. It was half true, for Sarai was his half sister. Why did Abram lie about his wife? He was afraid the Egyptians would kill him so they could take Sarai. They took Sarai anyway and gave her to Pharaoh. But the Lord sent plagues to Pharaoh's household. Then Pharaoh knew about the lie. See Genesis 12:10-20.